Daily Devotional
How Do We Control Our Minds?

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Proverbs 23:7


Ponder This

There was a sign in a business that said, “We are not what we think we are; what we think—we are.” What are you allowing into your mind and thereby allowing to control your heart, your actions, and your words? God made you so that you can’t think two thoughts at one time. If you’re thinking what’s right, you can’t be thinking what’s wrong. And as you think, you will become.

Guard your mind. Center your mind upon the Lord Jesus. Use Philippians 4:8 as the filter through which you pass each thought:

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.

Don’t let the devil take away your pure-hearted devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay in love with Jesus and there won’t be any room for those filthy, dirty, wicked, lascivious, lustful, and prideful thoughts that bombard us all.

Practice This

Start today to actively marshal your thoughts. You must be purposeful about this or it won’t happen. Focus on “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY

Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster

WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS

I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.

Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”