Proverbs 4:23 - Pick What You Ponder.
Proverbs 4:23 NCV Be careful what you think,
because your thoughts run your life.
COMMENTARY PEARL
You can pick what you ponder.
You didn't choose your parents or
siblings. You don't determine the weather. There are
many things in life over which you have no
choice. But the greatest activity of life is well
within your dominion. You can choose what you think
about.
You can be the air traffic controller of
your mental airport. Thoughts circle above,
coming and going. If one of them lands, it is
because you gave it permission. If it leaves, it is
because you directed it to do so.
Do you want to be happy tomorrow? Then
sow seeds of happiness today. (Count blessings.
Memorize Bible verses. Pray. Sing hymns. Spend time
with encouraging people.) Do you want to
guarantee tomorrow's misery? Then wallow in a mental
mud pit of self-pity or guilt or anxiety today.
(Assume the worst. Beat yourself up. Rehearse your
regrets. Complain to complainers.) Thoughts have
consequences.
Your challenge is not your challenge.
Your challenge is the way you think about your
challenge. Your problem is not your problem; it is the
way you look at it. [You Can Count On God by Max
Lucado]
COMMENTARY
Diligent heart-keeping is essential to a
healthy growth in grace. The heart in its natural
state is a habitation for unholy thoughts and
sinful passions. When brought into subjection to
Christ, it must be cleansed by the Spirit from all
defilement. In the work of heart-keeping we must be
instant in prayer, unwearied in petitioning the
throne of grace for assistance. The Saviour has
told us to pray without ceasing. The Christian
can not always be in the position of prayer, but
his thoughts and desires can always be upward.
They should cultivate a love for meditation, and
cherish a spirit of devotion. 3BC1157
The heart must be renewed by divine grace,
or it will be in vain to seek for purity of
life. He who attempts to build up a noble,
virtuous character independent of the grace of Christ
is building his house upon the shifting sand.
In the fierce storms of temptation it will
surely be overthrown. Those who would not fall a
prey to Satan's devices must guard well the
avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading,
seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure
thoughts. The mind should not be left to wander at
random upon every subject that the adversary of
souls may suggest. This will require earnest
prayer and unceasing watchfulness. We must be aided
by the abiding influence of the Holy Spirit,
which will attract the mind upward, and habituate
it to dwell on pure and holy things. And we
must give diligent study to the word of God.
PP460
As God works upon the heart by His Holy
Spirit, man must cooperate with Him. The thoughts
must be bound about, restricted, withdrawn from
branching out and contemplating things that will only
weaken and defile the soul. By beholding we are
to become changed, and as we meditate upon the
perfections of our divine Model, we shall desire to
become wholly transformed and renewed in the image
of His purity. There will be a hungering and
thirsting of soul to be made like Him whom we adore.
The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more
we shall speak of Him to others, and represent
Him to the world. 3BC1145
To keep your heart in heaven, will give
vigor to all your graces, and put life into all
your duties. To discipline the mind to dwell upon
heavenly things, will put life and earnestness into
all our endeavors. As exercise increases the
appetite, and gives strength and healthy vigor to the
body, so will devotional exercises bring an
increase of grace and spiritual vigor. 3BC1157
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Proverbs 4:23 - GUARD YOUR HEART!!!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210709-0922.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201115-1118.html
Proverbs 4:23 - Your Mind and Your Destiny.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160117-1005.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
