Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…. NKJV
What we think matters. What definitions we select shape us. One of my grandsons saw a matchbox car on my desk at home. It was a gift from one of my daughters, a 1969 Jeepster, same color as my full size Jeepster sitting in my driveway. “Papa” he said, “can we open this and play with it.” “Oh”, I replied, “that’s a special gift and it’s a decoration.” He looked confused and said, “What good is it if you can’t play with it?” He handed it to me and went off to find something he could play with. He had not yet figured out the value of a keepsake. In his mind, he had defined all matchbox cars as toys people play with, so it had no real value to him at the time.
As I thought through his thinking, it reminded me that what we think about things, situations, and people is important. If we define a toy as a decoration, it changes how we handle that object. If we define a situation through our perspective, we may not have an accurate view. If we look at people only through the lens of how we define them to be, we may limit or change our interactions with them. What we think, our defining moments, alters how we live. Like it says in Proverbs 23:7, as we define ourselves, so are we.
God encourages us to let Him, our Creator (see Psalm 139:1-18), shape our thinking. I mean, He is God and knows all and He is the One who designed life and how we fit into it.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
1 Corinthians 12:7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
So it makes sense to let The Lord shape our thinking.
Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
How could we let The Lord shape our thinking? Maybe it’s checking to see if our thinking lines up with what the Bible teaches, or if it’s in line with Jesus’ character or what He would do. What we think matters.
Church can be a great place to adjust our thinking God’s way. If you don’t have a church you regularly attend, we would like to invite you to view or visit Neighborhood Church. Our website has all the information you need for times and locations of all our Sunday gatherings. We would love for you to join in. You can also find us online at neighborhoodchurch.com. As well, if you would like to view any of our past worship gatherings or videos, visit our YouTube channel, or just search Neighborhood Church Cypress or Neighborhood Church Los Alamitos on their YouTube site.
Working at defining moments God’s way along with you,
Messages From Mike 
