Truths For Change (Part 3)
Welcome friends! Today we will continue on the “7 Ways to Think for Change.” Last week we went over the first three: think Biblically, think positively, and think singularly. So, let’s get started on number four.
4. Think Practically
“Your conversation should be so sensible and logical that anyone who wants to argue will be ashamed of himself because there won’t be anything to criticize in anything you say!” (Titus 2:8)
I have found that the greatest spiritual Truths that I have come to know have come through a common sense-practical understanding. In the fourth chapter of Mark, Jesus shared with His disciples a spiritual Truth that was the foundational teaching of all His spiritual Truths. When He saw that His disciples did not understand what He was talking about He made this comment: “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” (Mark 4:13). He was talking about how God’s Word is received.
Jesus then went on to define the spiritual Truth through a practical, common sense way of understanding; “a farmer sows seeds!”
To be a mature follower of Jesus is not about knowing “spiritual teachings” that are too “deep” for others-NO! Maturity is tied to a foundation of “one plus one equals two”! This requires the ability to receive God’s Word in a practical manner so that you will be able to operate life being “sensible and logical.” This way you will see God’s Word in your life and operate practically.
5. Think Creatively
“And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.” (Mark 2:4)
This message in Mark is so cool! It is about four friends that thought “creatively” concerning one of their friends that was dying. Jesus was in a house ministering and it was completely full inside and out. These men realized that there was no way to get their friend to Jesus so that He could be healed. So, what did they do? Did they convince themselves that there was no use in even trying? Did they sit there and just say, “We will just pray about it?” Did they just give up because the difficult circumstance before them discouraged them? No, they thought “creatively!”
Let’s look at the scene that unfolds. The Bible says they tore the roof apart! They had to remove part of the roof large enough to get their friend through it. I can imagine Jesus standing in the room and all of a sudden parts of the roof and ceiling start falling down in front of Him. That must have been a crazy sight! Jesus looks up and saw the four men on the roof with their sick friend. Then He watches as the friend is carefully let down before Him.
We just cannot look at life and give up because things are tough or even look impossible. We have to understand that God has answers for us, creative ones, which will get us through to the miracle.
I just love that God has given us the ability to think! We all think, it’s just time to start controlling the way we think. Remember, we don’t just exist in life-we live life! I hope this helps you this week. I really love to spend this time with you and I truly do expect the best for you. It doesn’t matter if I know you or not, because I know that God does and He loves you greatly. Since He does know you, love you, and care about you that’s good enough for me!
Next time we will finish the “7 Ways to Think for Change” with #6 thinking reasonably and #7 thinking methodically. Until then may God’s riches and best be yours!
