Thoughts

 

The thoughts of our Father are wonderful and amazing! The thoughts of humans? Not so much. Even we who think we know God, and have studied His Word and His will for years, do not often have amazing and wonderful thoughts. While our Father's thoughts create great things, our thoughts often do nothing but magnify our own "body of death", our flesh. Often we have prideful thoughts, doubting thoughts, self-pitying thoughts, vengeful thoughts, unforgiving thoughts, critical thoughts towards others, judgmental thoughts: thinking we know the will of God in every situation, selfish thoughts, resentful thoughts - you get the picture, and it is not a pretty one. Our thoughts are not always this ugly, but, if we are honest, we cannot deny the attraction our flesh feels towards this thinking. These thoughts make our flesh feel better, even if they are horrible thoughts about ourselves, and others. If it is part of the flesh, then it is part of death. We are magnifying death with our thoughts, instead of magnifying our gracious Father, Who gave everything for us. The Word tells us to be thankful to God in all things. This is our victory. This is the full stature of Christ. But, this generation especially, is not noted for thankfulness in our thoughts.
We really must change how we think. The Word of God is to wash and regenerate our minds. Yet, as soon as we read His Word, how often our thoughts immediately return onto those things that do not glorify God. In fact, often the fruit of our thoughts cause others to mock and blaspheme God, because they see what we think and do. We will have to give answer for every vain thought. As Paul says in Rom. 7:4:

"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Are we concerned yet? Let us do a comparative study between God's thoughts, and man's thoughts. GOD'S THOUGHTS "For I know the thoughts (esteem, value, regard, to invent) that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."            Jer. 29:11 "O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep."      Ps. 92:5 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,  Nor are your ways My ways", says the LORD, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."                                              Isa. 55:8-9 MAN'S THOUGHTS Jesus said: "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart preceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man..."                 Mt. 15:18-19 "And He (Jesus) said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts (doubts) arise in your hearts?"                                                                                            Lk. 24:38 "The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile."           Ps. 94:11 "And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know."                                                                                                            1 Cor. 8:2 RECONCILING MAN'S THOUGHTS TO GOD'S THOUGHTS "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever."                                                                                                           1 Chron. 28:9 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be anything praiseworthy - think on these things."                                                                                                          Phil. 4:8 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."                                                                                                               Ps. 139:23-24    AMEN. Our Father's thoughts are wonderful and amazing. "Teach Me Thy Way" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmY6848ZQeo "My Words, My Thoughts, My Meditations" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFu9Cm08kEU "Our God is Greater" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA5IDnpGhc