Restored!Sample

Renewed Thinking

Have you ever noticed that the harder you try not to think about something, the more you think about that thing? Let’s try it out right now. For the next 30 seconds I challenge you to not think about a pink elephant.

Weird, isn’t it?

The truth is that we will never overcome negative thinking through self-will, no matter how hard we try. The only way we overcome bad thoughts is to transplant them with godly thoughts. It is God’s word that restores us as we absorb it and allow it to saturate our entire heart and mind. Then, as today’s scripture teaches, rather then conforming to the things of the world, we will be transformed by the renewing of our mind.

So how do we get the powerful truth of God’s word to move from the pages of our bible into the fabric of our heart and mind? There are at least six ways this happens.

• Hear – We listen to teachings, podcasts, etc. so that we hear God’s word with our ears.
• Read – We systematically, continually read the bible for ourselves.
• Study – We go deeper as we explore for meaning, insight and understanding.
• Meditate – We think thoroughly and continually about a single bible truth.
• Memorize – We memorize scripture so that it penetrates deep into our soul.
• Declare – We speak God’s promises, releasing faith and power.

PRAYER

God, I thank you for the bible. Your word is precious to me. Every promise is like food for my soul. Help me go deeper in your word. Help me to treasure it, hear it, read it, study it, meditate on it, memorize it, and declare it.