Thanks to all of you for going with me on this journey. I believe God is all over it. As HE alone has put together the contents of this study, I have been in awe. He. Is. Real. Believe it!
To begin today, I wanted to give you a little more insight into the next month… Here is the general setup of the study (there may be some minor changes along the way):
Outline of Topics (just a teaser) for the rest of the study:
- Week 1: In Which Our Thinking Patterns Are Wrong
- Week 2: In Which We See Ourselves and GOD As Too Small
- Week 3: In Which We See Ourselves As Too Big
- Week 4: In Which We Think It’s Not So Bad {Or That It’s Too Bad}
- Wrap-Up: In Which Our Thinking Patterns Become Right
Each week will be split up like this:
- Day 1 (Sunday) – Battle verse of the week
- Days 2-6 (Monday-Friday) – Specific topic devotions
- Day 7 (Saturday) – Reflection
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This Morning:
- Journal about any new thought struggles God has revealed to you.
- Spend time in prayer, asking God to guide you today. To give you the strength to block out the negative thought patterns that will come at you throughout the day… and the perseverance to give it all you’ve got while doing this study.
Back in the spring, I did a series called Think On These Things based out of this incredible verse that tests our thoughts. If you have some time, I would encourage you to read the posts in the series. It will help you see my heart and passion for stopping sin in the mind first.
Philippians 4:8 is our first “battle verse” of 31 Days, because I believe it is a good general verse to speak to yourself and to speak AT Satan when the bad stuff comes in. Today’s “assignment” is simple. Start to memorize this verse. Think about the different words in it… the different characteristics of correct thinking patterns. When untrue, dishonorable, unjust, impure, unlovely, deplorable, not-so-excellent, less-than-worthy-of-praise thoughts come at you today, speak Philippians 4:8. OUT LOUD.
The Rest of the Day:
- Throw Philippians 4:8 at Satan every time he throws a bad thought at you. Continue to be conscious of the patterns that sneak into your mind.
- Join the forum if you haven’t. If you’re ready, pose a question to the group… or just share a comment.
- Before you go to bed, journal about today’s thought patterns, including new ones that may have come to mind. Spend some time in prayer, committing the day to the Lord, and asking Him to protect your unconscious mind as you sleep.
Continuing on… 31 Days :: Day 3 – Circumstantial Grumbler or Expectant Truster?
I know it's a day late, but I don't feel a dollar short. This particular morning when I rose, it was a beautiful day! I was grateful to God for the rest I got, and the brisk air coming in the window. Knowing that today was going to be a restful day, fellowship with other believers, a wonderful time with friends the night before, I let my guard down. BIG MISTAKE! My thoughts went to such immaterial things, tiny nothing things. Like, Having to describe, again, to my husband, which diapers go to which child.
( when OBVIOUSLY there's a size difference. ) Such petty things got in the way. Will there be plates for the coffee cake? What about drinks? Napkins? Oh how I wish I knew these things. Man, it's cold out. We should have started the van before we left. And on and on and on. TBC
Now, all this is in my mind. On my face is a big fat smile, and a gentle nodding of the head whenever someone spoke to me.
Then, Phillipians 4:8. _Indeed! Praise, think on these things. Rally my thoughts around the good and not negative. To be honest, such small things don't bother me. I love the chilly weather! But I wasn't prepared, spiritually, for this attack. Are we ever?
I repeated the verse out loud. _Thought pattern flipped! My husband was getting the baby ready for church. It was a peaceful nights rest. Beautiful morning breeze coming through the window . Birds, kids, smell of fresh air. Something in my closet actually fit me from last fall, that's a praise right there!
AMEN!!!! // "I repeated the verse out loud. _Thought pattern flipped!"
God's goodness was revealed through my husband that morning. He went ahead on his own accord and cleaned the kitchen from last nights dinner. Fed the boy, cleaned the boy, dressed him, took care of everything so I could simply 'get ready'. How can I overlook such effort? I was humbled on the spot. I didn't ask for help, and yet he put upon himself my physical burdens so I can have a good day._
Christ took up our yoke so that we lay our burdens aside in order to get ready for his coming