On Day One we looked at worldviews and learned that a biblical worldview answers questions such as: “Who am I?” “What is my purpose in life?” and “How should I live?” The devotionals for Days One and Two focused primarily on the first two of these questions. Today, and for the rest of the week, the Silent Sounds devotionals help students (and adults) answer the third of these questions, “How shall I then live?” The devotionals will encourage us to examine our goals and priorities, our thoughts, what causes us to get “off track” in our lives, what we look for in our relationships, and how to make a difference for Christ in our daily walk.
GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
WHAT IS #1 IN YOUR LIFE?Our goals and priorities are shaped and determined by our purpose. So, if we know who we are and what we have been called to do, our goals and priorities will reflect that. While we each have different abilities, skills, and gifts, if we know Christ our primary purpose in life should be to know Him and make Him known.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
The word treasure, in this instance, refers to anything we may value more than our relationship with God. It is what drives you and what you view as the ultimate prize in life. This may be a relationship, the approval of others, or a habit or activity. It may be something you keep to yourself so that no one knows how much value you place on it. While what we treasure may not be bad in itself, it can cause us to lose sight of our ultimate purpose. Jesus is the only one who can truly satisfy our deepest longings, so anything we treasure outside of our relationship with Him will not provide the fulfillment we are looking for.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:25-33
What are some things Jesus tells us not to worry about? What does He say should be our main priority in Iife? When we “seek first” the kingdom of God and His righteousness, it means we seek Jesus more than anything else. It means deciding to set as our goal to know Him and make Him known. That takes more than just putting God as the #1 thing on our to-do list. It means not only seeking Him above everything else; it also means seeking Him in everything that we do.
In light of this, is there anything you need to surrender to Him? Is there anything that consumes too much of your time? Ask God to show you the areas of your life that are keeping you from seeking Him. Then, ask for the courage and boldness to let go of the things He reveals to you. Be honest with Him. As He searches your heart and tests your thoughts, He will show you how to follow Him above all else.
TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE
Although our thoughts may not seem to be significant, both the Bible and modern psychology reveal that our thoughts steer the course of our life. Just as a pebble dropped in a pond creates a ripple effect, our thoughts have a ripple effect on our mood, our beliefs, and therefore on our actions and our words. Negative or faulty thought patterns can become obstacles that stand in the way of a fulfilling and meaningful walk with God.
“What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:14-23
That is a pretty strong passage, isn’t it? Did it surprise you to read that negative or harmful thoughts are grouped with such things as murder, deceit, theft, or sexual immorality?
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice thee things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
How often would you say your thoughts align with these verses? Perhaps even worse than our tendency to discount how our thoughts affect our lives is our tendency to discount how what we consume (TV shows, movies, social media, music) affects our thoughts, which is turn affects our lives. In 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 the Apostle Paul says we are to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” It is abundantly clear that God views how we think as a very serious matter. One way we take every thought captive is to hand the things that cause us stress or anxiety over to God. Tell Him you are entrusting Him with these concerns and that you want to let go of any negative thoughts you may have. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to “cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Be diligent in keeping a healthy thought life and you will be amazed at the difference it makes in everything you do.