Think

Proverbs 21:5

"The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.."

Did you know, that you're where you are, is actually a result of what you think and have thought?
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Prv 23:7)

If that's the case, wouldn't you agree that it's pretty important to learn about How To Think Well? 

I wonder why they never taught that class in High School...

An amazing truth that God started teaching me and showing me about a year ago, and is continually teaching me.,
Is that by His grace, you can change your daily thoughts.

How?

By choosing what information you give your mind.

"If you don't give your mind something to focus on,
It'll focus on anything."

It's almost like God said to me:
"What are you giving your mind to focus on? 
Bible verses to meditate on?
Are you listening to audio sermons?
Are you watching godly, inspiring movies?

Or just, whatever happens to be on the radio?
Or whatever happens to be on the internet?
Or TV, or newspaper.
Or whatever movie your friends or family randomly feel like watching,
Or the book or magazine that's just sitting around."


And I was like "wow."

What He's taught me is that, not having the right information flooding our minds,
Is like putting our thought lives in the hands of the world.
Like taking each of our brains out and saying: "Here you go, world!" 

It's like playing playing Russion Roulette with your spiritual life,
You're just hoping that the right info comes into your brain,
And that you don't kill yourself spiritually with one of those bullets,
and not doing your part to insure that it actually happens.



It goes back to Joshua 1:8 when he talks about how to have success by meditation.
Or David, when he writes in Psalm 1 the same things.

What are you meditating on?

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Recommendation of the YEAR
Ray Comfort, Hells Best Kept Secret
This sermon has changed my perspective on evangelism, and my understanding of Christianity.
God has used it to rock my world,
And I'd have to say that it's a main factor God has used to change my thoughts significantly.

You should listen to it.

And then share it with others!

God bless you all with grace and peace!
Your bro in Christ,
Landon

Leadership: By Example

"For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

-Jesus, John 13:15

Jesus didn't say "that ye should do what I tell you to do."
He said " that ye should do as I have done unto you."
Well, He did have commands right? So why would he say that?
Because He actually did exactly what he commanded them to do.

Jesus gave us an example.
That's leadership.

Leaders don't lead an army from behind with a whip, saying, "C'mon guys, hurry up and go!"
They rush forward in front before anyone else, with a banner and yell "CHARGE!"

That's what Jesus did on earth.
He rushed toward the enemy and defeated death while hanging on a cross.
We broke God's Law in His 10 Commandments,
and Jesus paid our fine.
Now God the Father can legally dismiss our case,
And we don't have to perish,
But we can have everlasting life
If we repent and trust in Jesus alone.
Is that good news or what?
Yes it is!
Thank you Lord. :)

God bless you all this week with grace and peace!
Your brother in Christ,
Landon


Recommendation of the Week
Restore Fatherhood, Jason Young
(Sermonaudio.com)

The Rule of Gold

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,

do ye even so to them:

for this is the law and the prophets.”

-Jesus (Matthew 7:12)

Seems simple enough, right?

Whatever you would like people to do to you,

you just do to them.

Some people call this the Golden Rule.

I heard an incredible statistic from my Uncle Brian Thompson that 95% of the way people treat you, is affected by how you treat them.

The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12), and the passage in Matthew 22:36-40, which says to:

1. Love God,

2. Love neighbors...

Actually summarize all the law and the prophets!

So these 2 passages must be pretty important right?

I know I definitely need to learn to apply both of those passages better.

What are a few ways that you can think of that you could apply the Golden Rule?

Maybe an old friend is visiting that you haven't seen in a 5 years, and they just look at you and wait to see how YOU respond to seeing them.

Are you going to just say: “Hey. What's up.” with your hands in your pockets?

Well, would you appreciate a smile, warm greeting, and a handshake or hug?

:)

Or a new friend, that comes to a circle or clique of old friends, at church for example...

How would you like to be treated if that was you?

That might mean stepping out of the clique or cool circle to help the new person feel comfortable.

I know I appreciated that when we just started going to Christ Fellowship Church, when people would come up to us and introduce themselves. That meant a ton to me.

Other examples:

When saying goodbye to your cousin, who maybe you don't get along that well with...

Or maybe a friend who you DO get along with, but with whom you just got into an argument...

Or when just meeting a person at a graduation party or other event...

Or when saying hello to the cashier at the store, who looks like she's having a bad day...

Treat them as you'd like them to treat you.

Or how about specifically, toward your parents?
I think especially while living at home, this is key aspect to learn.

What kind of attitude do you want your parents to have toward you?

A joyful, happy attitude?

Well, you and I first.
We gotta be the example to them.

An attitude respectful of our opinions?

We need to respect their opinions.

An attitude of appreciation for ALL the hard work we do for them?

We need to appreciate all their hard work they do for us!

In order to learn better how to treat others, the main thing comes to the second passage...

Love God, and love others.

There are a lot of aspects to learn about loving God and loving others, but that's why I'm SO thankful for God's Son Jesus, who was our example.

And for His Word.
And for His people – wise and godly individuals in our lives that we can learn from.

I'd definitely appreciate prayer to learn both of these better!

I got a question for you:

Have you been saved by the amazing grace of God through Jesus?

If so, are you thankful for that?

I know I am!

Then let's go treat others the way we want to be treated, and speak the truth of the gospel of Christ in love to the lost!

Recommendation of the Week

Mark Cahill, The One Thing You Can't Do in Heaven

I've listened to this book once on CD last year, and I'm listening to it again. I'm loving it just as much or more than 10 months ago in September-ish of 2011.

This book gives an INCREDIBLE perspective on evangelizing, Biblical and practical application, and it gives you the information to get you out of your comfort zone and into God's comfort zone.

Mr. Cahill is a man who certainly loves the Lord and who certainly loves others.

Guys, if you want to be challenged, inspired, and encouraged, you gotta hear/read it. MarkCahill.org.

“What are you doing of significance today, that will matter 300 million years from now?” - Mark Cahill

#letsliveboldlyforChrist :)

God bless you all this week with grace and peace!

And I appreciate each of you.

Your brother in Christ,

Landon

Pugnacious

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; "

Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians

(2 Cor 10:5)

How many thoughts do you think a person thinks in a day?
I've heard anywhere between 2,500 to 70,000 thoughts in a day.

According to that verse in Corinthians, we're to bring EVERY thought into captivitiy to the obedience of Christ.
That's a LOT of thoughts!

(Recommendation of the Week) Eric Ludy talks a bit about that in his sermon called The 38th Parallel. 
I highly recommend that sermon. There's a bunch of great, convicting truth in there.
I've listened to it 2.5 times already and still want to/need to hear it all over again.

What do you think about when you're spiritually weak?
Do you go to a secret sin of lust, self pity, bitterness, or envy?
And are you [pugnacious] toward that sin?

Mr. Ludy talks about that rather intersting word in his sermon, and it really has given me a brand new perspective toward sin.
Well, what is pugnacious?

Define:
Pugnacious

Adjectives

1. Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
2. Having the appearance of a willing fighter.

Synonyms:

1. combative 

2. bellicose 

3. quarrelsome 

4. truculent 

5. warlike

Insert any of those synonyms into that word [pugnacious] and then ask yourself that question all over again:

And are you [pugnacious] toward that sin?

Essentially, we're to be at war against sin, self and Satan, all of which Jesus died to save us from.

Do you have faith in our Lord when He says this in His word?
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Cor 10:13) 


What a comfort those words are!
So we can know, that through the power of our Lord and for His glory, we can overcome those temptations.


Praise the Lord, for He truly is good! :D

Are you pugnacious for the honor of the Lord?

God bless you all this week,
Your brother in Christ,
Landon