Tired

I am looking around at all the things that have been neglected in the home over the past month while I spent my time in the hospital with my son...and I can't do anything about it.  I am just too tired today.  I close my eyes, and drift off to sleep in a matter of seconds. I realize how stressed I have been.  

My body is telling me. 

I am grateful for a God who hears and cares for the little things.  He knows what my needs are. I am too tired to read, so I review in my mind the promises He gives that mean so much to me right now. 

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Ps 38:4

To Train Our Thoughts

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

I have known this text for many years.   Recently the conviction has come to my heart of the need to train my thoughts. It is also my duty to train my children on  how to control their thoughts.

Thoughts shape our behavior, our attitudes, and our words. What we think eventually comes out through the mouth or in our actions .This ultimately reveals our character and our eternal destiny is affected. Thought processes begin in our brain. In private. Where no one else can visit.  But God can see. He knows what is there.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7

This is why it is so very important to guard our thoughts.  To think positive, uplifting thoughts.  To keep our minds pure so the Holy Spirits'  prompting can be heard. It is important to openly discuss this process with our children, and for them to see us conquering our own negative thought tendencies.
Negative thoughts can be very destructive to any relationship, including our most important  relationship with God. Satan would  like to hijack our thoughts and keep the negative thinking cycle going.
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 anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
For my family I have developed  some strategies to implement in the battle to capture and retrain our thoughts.
1.Ask for divine help
2.Memorize scripture promises that apply, and recite them periodically.
3.Hold one another accountable
I encourage you to contemplate what you can do for your family to build 'right thinking' habits.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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 10:4,5
May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14

Words Are Power

Deuteronomy 6:6,7 says "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children"       

Words are containers of power.

They can be used as a healing balm to a hurting soul, or as a slashing sword to cut  a wounded heart.

It is important that we train our children to listen to the words they say.  We can teach them to think before speaking. However, parents must model the think before speaking process.

"Children don't always listen to their parents, but they do imitate them."

The Bible says "The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."  James 3:5,6

A blogger friend shared an object lesson with her children to stress the importance of words.It is a simple way to help our children understand this concept.

1.Squeeze toothpaste out of the tube...then put it back in.

2.Place a drop of  Tabasco Sauce on your tongue...then quickly get a drink of water!

It is a sobering thought to realize that the words we speak can carry such great power.  Thankfully we are not left to flounder without help. The book of Proverbs is filled with incentives and reasons why gaining control of our tongue is so important.

"The mouth of the righteous is a well of life." Proverbs 10:11

"The tongue of the wise promotes health" Proverbs 12:18

"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones"

Proverbs 16:24

"The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly" Proverbs 15:2

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life" Proverbs 15:4

But how do we gain a wholesome, wise, and righteous tongue?

1. Through earnest prayer

"Create in me a clean heart oh God"

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight Oh Lord, My strength and my redeemer"! God knows our need, He hears our cry, and His grace is available.

Ask for perception and awareness of the words that we speak as we begin this building process.

2.Repeat Bible promises out loud.

When you hear yourself speak The Word, this  internalizes what you are saying and it empowers you for necessary change.

Our words affect those around us. We are either building up, or  tearing down those who hear our words. Our children are especially vulnerable as they absorb what they see and hear from adults around them.

May the words that I speak today Heavenly Father, uplift and encourage others.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

The Joy of Prayer

Summery of a booklet prepared by Women of Spirit:

1. Kneel before God in a secluded place in your home away from distractions. It is an inspiration and witness to the universe.

2.Pray when you are at your peak, alert and consistent. Make it an act of worship, in a private spot.

3.Begin with a praise song to focus your heart and mind on God and His blessing. Raise your arms with palms towards heaven. This can be dynamic.

A new act of worship done with sincerity and respect can bring you to a new, eciting level of communication with your loving God.

4.Pray aloud. It focuses prayer. "Confess with mouth"

Some say that audible prayers gives Satan access to intimate thoughts, BUT!.. "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!"

It drives Satan crazy when he sees the suffering people of God and they respond in visible and audible acts of worship. How we show our thankfulness and love than to kneel and honor Him who died as an act of love for us.