For as we think in our hearts, so we are…

Read:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT): “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”

Isaiah 55:9 (NASB): “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV): “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV): “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

Act:

Let us be determined this week to:

Live with excellence – the way of Jesus! Let us serve Him to the best of our abilities. Let us submit all of who we are to Him. May we honour the concept of an Almighty God and long to serve and know the Creator of heaven and earth – the One who spoke everything into existence. May we speak the truth with love and kindness – serving and glorifying our eternal, magnificent God in all we do and seeking Him and His Kingdom first in everything! May we acknowledge that God is moving and working in our time, and give our best to be who God created us to be.

Win the battle in our minds. What do you believe (what are your thoughts) about God, yourself and others? Let’s think about what we think about… Our thoughts determine the direction of our lives. May we take captive every thought that is not from God. May we replace every lie or unhealthy thought with the Truth of God’s Word, so that God’s peace that transcends all understanding may fill our hearts and minds!

Long for the presence of our Lord. May we never be so busy that we miss the greatness of God, the presence of God, and the glory of God! May we never put God in a box. Instead, may we continue to stand in awe of His goodness, love, kindness and grace. May we always put Him first in our lives.

Pray:

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for this day. I thank You that today and always, You are in ultimate control of our lives. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die for us, Father. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to dwell among us and within us. Thank You that we can hear from You anew and afresh every single day. I pray that our roots would grow deep and that we would bear much fruit, with green leaves even in a season of drought.

Father, we thank You that You have written this letter – and that it shows us a more excellent way, the way of love. Father, and I pray that we speak the gospel truth in the loving way that You model so well. We thank You that we’re not left alone to cultivate these things: Your Spirit is at work in us as we grow every day. Father, we thank You for the blessing it is to know You. We pray that we would take this message of a more excellent way of love to our communities, our church families, our extended families, and the people we know that are without Jesus.

Lord, thank You so much that we do not serve a God of our own making. We don’t serve some construct that someone somewhere came up with. We serve the Creator of heaven and earth. We serve the God who is all-powerful. We serve a God who is sovereign, who holds all of us in His hands and who holds the world in His hands. Lord, challenge our conception of who You are and let that change us. Help us realize that You are much more powerful and more amazing than we can ever begin to fathom.

Oh Lord, You know every battle going on in each of our minds. May we realize that as we truly give our challenges to You, You will grant us the peace that passes all understanding. You will work out the answers for our good and Your Glory. Lord, may we wait patiently for You. May we stand clothed in the Ephesians 6 Armor, in the truth of Philippians 4, and experiencing Your peace and power beyond our wildest imaginations. As we submit our lives to You and our minds to You, may we take every thought captive that would lead us astray. May we think about what we think about. May we move forward in Your Kingdom. We love You, Lord. We thank You that with Your presence in our lives, we can and will win the battle in our minds.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face towards you, and give you peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Amen.

(This WRAP is with great appreciation to Nicole, Philomena, Heinz, Mary Lynn and Kristen)

Subscribe to our Podcast Channel