LEARNING DAILY

Proverbs 23:7a, “for as a man thinks in his heart, so he is,”

Pastor Newton, Lead Pastor at Community Bible Church, reminded us “what you believe will dictate what you do and what you do will dictate what you become”. He told us that the beliefs we have “are shaped by the following – experiences, encounters, environment” (from the Listener Guide). Can you remember an incident(s) or something that was spoken to you that has caused you to be fearful of something? If you can, you prove the point that pastor was making. For example, I can remember being told things about my abilities when younger; I did everything to prove those who said them were right. I also remember being laughed at when I was in grade school when giving an answer in class. I still feel uncomfortable giving an answer or talking in a group setting – even when I am quite competent with the answer or information I could give.

Pastor stressed for Believers to believe what God says about them and not believe what the world, those around us, and Satan says about us. Perhaps you have kept the verses written in a previous page of the blog that tell us who God says we are. I have a copy pinned to my wall beside my desk to look at when I need to be reminded. Who are you listening to? Each Believer must be in their Bible each day putting into their hearts what God not only says about you but how to live for Him.

“Living right begins with right beliefs” (Newton). Believers cannot allow other influences to dictate what they believe and how they live. It is extremely important to have a biblical worldview regarding their life. That means we live each day seeing all things as the Bible teaches; it does not end when a person steps out of church. One’s worldview determines how the person makes decisions each day; it determines the choices one makes! A biblical worldview affects every aspect of one’s life from money to living a moral life. The Bible states that the Christian life, the life Believers live walking a narrow way is the only life there is. Anything less is not acceptable. This biblical worldview must determine what we believe.

That should also be the driving force behind our emotions. “Without proper boundaries, emotions will control you instead of you controlling them” (Listener Guide). Pastor Newton stated that our emotions are driven by our thoughts. Believers, driven by a biblical worldview place boundaries on their emotions by “taking every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5) (Listener Guide). Believers want to have biblical principles control their thoughts because emotions create how we feel (anger, joy, etc.). Believers “must change the way they think of themselves in order to change their feelings. If you change your feelings, you can change your actions. And changing your actions – based on good thinking – can change your life” (Quote from John Maxwell on the Listener Guide).

For many years Philippians 4:8 has been a key verse for me. I am able to see that the things and people I have listened to have caused me to do the things I did. Pastor brought this verse up in his message and I believe that each person who reads this page of the blog should take time to memorize it and allow it to get down deep into their heart. I have written it many times and I do so again.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

 If you do this and if you begin to have right thoughts about who God says you are, you can begin to change your feelings, change your actions and change your life! Pastor Newton promised to tell us next weekend how the Holy Spirit helps us do this.