Stimulating Wholesome Thinking!

“Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking” (2 Peter 3:1 NIV).

When I read this passage this morning, I was reminded of the reason I write. I don’t expect people to agree with everything I say; not even some of what I say, but I write to encourage and stimulate wholesome thinking especially in how we treat people.

We live in a society where are constantly bombarded with everyone’s thoughts through various types of media–online media, television, radio, blogs, all the social media, books, magazines, hand-bills, posters, bill-boards, and online news commentaries. Some of the thoughts we read can readily be dismissed when we recognize the influence behind the thoughts. Some of the thoughts, we may actually consider to be genuine from rational people, until we continue to read what they write. And some, thoughtful writers will actually challenge us to think.

How do we know when we see “wholesome writing” that will ignite “wholesome thinking?”

If what someone says aligns with The Word, explains The Word, expounds on The Word, and is not judgmental, obscene, or profane, or full of hate; we can probably conclude that the writer is thinking wholesome thoughts.  If what someone says, denies or scoffs at The Word, is in opposition to The Word, then we know who is influencing the words they write. What they say will not lead to wholesome thinking, but to chaos and confusion designed to get people off track.

How far off track are we in our society today? Should not our thoughts be the same as the thoughts of Christ?  If we have the mind of Christ, should we not have the conduct of Christ? Should not our heart be as His–loving, full of compassion, and always forgiving?

Nothing in life is fair–God did not promise us fairness. He said, “the just shall live by faith.” So, don’t be bitter about things that didn’t “seem fair”, move forward and know that if we continue in The Word, we shall receive God’s many benefits and He is not slow to fulfill His promises to us! We are the “just” and “the righteousness of Christ” because He said so, not us.

Now, think on these things–whatsoever is pure, lovely, and of a good report–all leading to wholesome thinking. Remember to love and forget all the things that would cause you to hold onto bitterness and unforgiveness. Keep your focus on the prize ahead of you in Christ Jesus! Rational Thinking > Rational Decisions > Rational Behavior–towards all!

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Traps

While laying in bed, waiting to “decide” to get out of it, a thought came to mind.  It is not just women who get Trapped by their circumstances, but men and children often feel trapped–by life choices and those they did not choose.  What can we do as a society to alleviate those feelings so that all will come to know of their true worth, without insecurities ruling them?

We create traps for people when we mistreat them and look down on them because they are not us.  When we hate and denigrate, we set a trap.  When we take on superior attitudes over others, we set a trap.  When we are incapable of doing what is right for others, we set a trap–the trap influenced by the enemy who hates mankind.

We can–accept people for who they are–without bias or judgment.  We can love them–simply because we are all in this race together–the human race.  We can stop polluting our atmosphere with hatred and denigration.  We can look to the only Wise God in heaven to give us direction in all things and obey His Word!

We can change the environment in which we live and create one in which all know they are loved and appreciated for who they are, not for who we want them to be.

In all things, let us glorify God and do only those things that will please Him!

The Gene Pool

If we look closely at some of the tragic events in our society, we cannot help but wonder, what makes people do the things they do?

What makes a police officer decide to play God and kill people out of some distorted sense of revenge?

What makes a son decide to shoot up a school, killing innocent children who could not have possibly caused him any harm?

What makes a teacher (male or female) ruin a young person’s life by engaging in illicit sexual activity?

What makes a mother snuff out the life of a child she birthed?

What makes a father force his children to endure unwanted sexual advances or engagement?

What makes children (adult and younger) decide to kill their parents?

What makes old white men decide to kidnap children who couldn’t possibly do anything to appease them?

What makes people decide to pick up an assault rifle and randomly shoot people who don’t even know them?

The answer to these questions quite simply is—the influence of demonic activity in the atmosphere.  People are subject to the influence of satanic influence when it is embedded in their genes, or when they refuse to believe in God and live according to His Word!  Whether people believe this or not is really not the issue.  The real issue is how we combat senseless killings and destruction of families in our society.

For every person who is addicted to drugs, alcohol, and other ungodly behavior, every time you participate, the devil is laughing at you.  Can you picture him now?  Every time you pick up a crack pipe, inhale marijuana, swallow a pill, keep a bottle tilted, lose money gambling, give into the desire to steal, or hop into bed with someone for illicit and immoral sex—he’s raring back—laughing his butt off because you were such easy prey. Can you hear him? Look at your life!  You’re going nowhere fast except deeper into the rut you’re digging and don’t even know it.  You’re creating disaster after disaster because you don’t have enough sense to see how your actions are impacting your family and your community.  You’re angry at life because you refuse to wake-up and acknowledge that you have allowed the enemy to take charge of your life.  Look into the mirror and get a grip!  Just because members of your family didn’t shake the devil’s influence, doesn’t mean you can’t.  Just because your daddy was stupid and mean—doesn’t mean you have to be.  Just because your mama was a prostitute and a drug addict—doesn’t mean you have to follow in her footsteps.  What’s really in your genes?

When we accept Jesus Christ, we accept our place in the kingdom as joint-heirs with Christ.  We develop a Christ-like nature—a nature that desires to please God and not flesh.  When we acknowledge that we can do absolutely nothing without Christ in our lives, we set ourselves in position to receive God’s best and we no longer allow the enemy to influence us into doing ungodly things.

Today is the day because tomorrow might just be too late.  Are you ready?

Repent of anything that you know would not please God and turn to Him to direct your path in all things.  Believe in your heart that Jesus came to earth to bring us back into right relationship with the Father, accept Him as your Personal Savior, and determine to live a life that can only bring you the rewards waiting for you from heaven to enjoy here on earth.  God’s goodness and love is in your genes—why are you waiting?