I want to discuss a few things;

1. How are we showing up every day? what steps are we taking to do our part in making our day a Great day full of good thoughts, productivity, movement, learning, helping and self care?
2. Are we in the Now, conscious and living today? Are we stuck in a past trauma that we relive or playback all the time?
3. What do we think about? what’s our pattern of thinking? Is it a constant self-put down? Or themed and dedicated to what we lack in our lives? Is it generally positive or negative?
4. Are we praying Intentionally and specifically? Do we know how to do that? Do we believe we should do that?

I believe these are important questions because if we are not herding our thoughts and intentionally setting them on good, productive things daily- then there is a good chance something else will set out intention- the world, negativity, the enemies lies, or own dysfunctional thinking……..

I found a few articles focused on these questions-Maybe these articles will help us to change unproductive dead habits into conscious alive and positive driven habits

 

 

 

A BIBLICAL EXAMPLE OF INTENTIONAL AND SPECIFIC PRAYER

Jesus knew the value of intentional and specific prayer. He commended it in the parable of the Unjust Judge in Luke 18. In case you’re unfamiliar with the parable, here is a summary:

A widow came before a judge who “did not fear God and did not respect man.” She was persistent in asking for “legal protection.” She came to him repeatedly, intentionally and specifically, to ask for justice. The judge? He said, “Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.” Jesus commended the widow for her persistent, intentional, and specific prayer.  He further assured His listeners – and us – that God will “bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night.”

In Luke 11, Jesus also commends this type of prayer – specific (three loaves of bread) and intentional (because a friend has come at midnight). It is notable that in both parables a third characteristic – besides intentional and specific – is persistent. If your prayers are continually focused on explicit needs and desires (Psalm 37:4), you will see miracles taking place because of your prayers. Just don’t miss the miracle, mistaking it for coincidence or fate.

Faith is an Action!

“Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him… And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. 
Matthew 13:54-58

One time in the Gospels it says that Jesus couldn’t do much in the town “because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58). Wouldn’t that be an awful thing to have said about your home, about your family, about you? Jesus couldn’t do much in or through you because of you just didn’t believe Him. “Lord, why don’t You do more in our church?” Could it be because of people’s unbelief?

Faith is the key. God’s promises are activated by faith. Faith is not passive-it’s an action verb. Don’t say, “Well, I’m just waiting here. Maybe God will work; maybe He won’t.” What are you doing about it? Well, not much.

It’s like the sick guy who needs to get better, but he doesn’t go to the doctor. That’s foolishness. You’ve got to do what you can.

Like the girl who is looking for a husband, but never goes to the Young Adult meetings at church. She just sits down in her basement. “My husband will have to find me here.” Yeah, that’s not a great plan. Do what you can!

Like the person who’s filled with concerns and wants to have hope, but has never read the Bible.

It’s God promises that give us hope. How many Scriptural promises do you know? How many promises have you memorized? How many are on the tip of your tongue? Well, no wonder you’re filled with anxiety! No wonder you don’t have any hope! You’re not holding onto anything.

Get your heart around some of the exceedingly great and precious promises of God! Hold on to what God has said in His Word. Someday you’re going to be in a difficult situation and the enemy will be try to pull you down but you’ve got God’s Word hidden in your heart. His words will flood you with courage and fill your life with faith.

“God helps those who help themselves” is not in the Bible but it is a biblical concept. Faith has to be active to be real. Remember the guy in 2 Kings 5 who had leprosy and Gold told him he had to go dip in the river? In faith, he had to do what he could. Like the woman in poverty in 2 Kings 4 who had to collect containers to hold all that oil God was giving her – she did what she could. Like a warrior heading into battle, he has to pick up his weapon.

Put some action behind what you believe and watch God work. 
–James MacDonald

Lord, I never want there to be a day that You can’t do Your work in me because I just don’t believe You. Increase my faith today, Lord. I believe that You are able to make all things are possible. Amen.

Going Deeper:

1. What am I believing God for right now for myself? For my family? For my church? Are there steps of faith I can take as I wait for Him to work?
2. Are there areas of unbelief in my heart? About what? Talk to the Lord about it today.

7 VERSES ABOUT THE POWER OF YOUR THOUGHTS

http://blog.baysideonline.com/

We have a strong desire to do life well, to maximize our potential, and (most importantly) to reflect the image of our Creator.

I’m not here to offer magic formulas, but I do believe there’s a particular path that ends in a life well-lived and a lasting legacy. That path starts (and ends) between the ears.

The Bible speaks often about the power of the mind and our thoughts. I think it’s easy to glaze over this and overlook the connection between thoughts and transformation. Maybe it’s to “self-helpish,” and we’ve been turned off by cheap self-help books.

The unhealthy relationship between science and faith hasn’t served Christians well either. Science connected the mind with transformation years ago. But the bitter (and unnecessary) rivalry between faith and science wouldn’t give credibility to its findings.

More and more, science is confirming Scripture, not contradicting it.

Our minds are powerful, and our thoughts shape who we are and will become.

Here are 7 verses about the power of your thoughts and mind.

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! –

Deuteronomy 30:19

For years, this verse haunted me. I didn’t believe life — particularly love, joy, peace, etc. — were choices. I always thought circumstances played a role. Simply choosing love and joy was too easy. But what if it’s true?

Dr. Caroline Leaf says this in her book Switch On Your Brain,

“As we think, we change the physical nature of our brain. As we consciously direct our thinking, we can wire out toxic patterns of thinking and replace them with healthy thoughts.”

In essence, she says, science is proving free will and relationship between thoughts and reality.

Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

-Romans 12:2

Changing the way you think changes your perspective which changes how you act in the world. Paul’s words aren’t new. “Change your mind” is the central theme of Jesus’ first sermon (Matt. 4:17).

Jesus challenged people to change their thinking because regardless how many times you read through the Bible, if your mind doesn’t change, you will simply impose your biases and labels on the words you read.

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

-2 Tim. 1: 7.

Basic fear says “Hey fool, if you jump off that cliff you won’t make it. Get away from the cliff.” This type of fear is healthy and good.

But fear and distrust of life and people isn’t from God, yet it seems hard-wired into our minds. We’re afraid of being afraid. The Spirit always breathes love. Always.

http://blog.baysideonline.com/

When you choose fear, your life and legacy suffers.

I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents up on their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected — even children in the third and fourth generations.

-Exodus 34:7

Another haunting verse here that speaks directly to the power of our thoughts. Not only do your thoughts shape your life. They also influence the lives of your future kids and their kids.

Science has confirmed this truth. The science of epigenetics has shown that our dispositions, bad habits, anxiety, and hatred of cats can impact our kids even before they are conceived.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

-2 Corinthians 10:5

Take every thought captive. What a great idea. But is it even possible? Well, if we trusted God’s word, we would know it was possible.

The answer to capturing your thoughts is right there in Scripture, hidden in plain sight. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” The powerful effects of prayer and meditation have been well-documented in recent years, again confirming what Christians should already know.

Capturing your thoughts requires stillness, something most Americans, and many Christians, have no time for. And as long as we have no time for prayer, our thoughts, emotions, and feelings will continue calling the shots.

Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.

-Philippians 4:8

Every now and then I meet someone who is different. You know the ones. These people see the world differently. They’re calm. Nothing seems to shake them. Ever. They’re almost impossible to offend, and they listen much more than they talk. They love everyone, even their enemies. Their joy and peace are infectious.

When I encounter someone like this, I leave wondering what awesome sauce they take and where I can buy a jar.

People who are different understand Philippians 4:8. They chose love. They chose to see the imago dei — God’s image — in everyone. They choose good, and ruthlessly eliminate negativity.

What you choose to see determines your reality. You have the power to change your reality by shifting your focus.

As someone thinks within himself, so he is.

-Proverbs 23:7

We are not victims of biology or circumstances. If you’ve chosen to believe otherwise, this verse sounds like hogwash. But again, science is proving what Scripture already says.

Dr. Leaf one more time:

“When you think, you build thoughts, and these become physical substances in your brain.”

You were created in the image of God, full of love and grace. What might happen if you started believing this?

There are many others verses in the Bible highlighting the power of our thoughts. But I hope you see the truth behind God’s timeless words. What you allow into your mind determines your reality and ultimately your legacy.

http://blog.baysideonline.com/