1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (ESV)

What are you thinking about?

Make sure you are aware of the things you spend time thinking about. You are what you think.

Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinks within himself, so he is. (New American Standard Version NASV)

Though this passage is about being aware of words and what is offered to you. The heart of the matter is what the giver said does not line up with what he thought.

Our thoughts are the fuel for our mind. Our thoughts fuel our dreams and aspirations or they can bind us from accomplishing them. A particular train of thought persisted in, be it good or bad, cannot fail to produce its results on the character and circumstances. A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances.              James Allen, author of As a Man Thinketh

The books you read, the movies you view, the songs you listen to, and the television programs you watch all affect what you think about. You probably think you can prevent things from entering your space. However, if you do not regulate what enters the subconscious mind, it picks up everything. Here is the progression that creates influence:

• The gateways into your heart are your eyes and your ears. What you see and hear affects what you think about.
  Matthew 13:15b Otherwise they would open their eyes to see, and open their ears to hear, and open their minds to understand. Then they would turn to me and I would instantly heal them. (The Passion Translation TPT)

• You talk about whatever is in your heart.
  Luke 6:45 For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words. (The Passion Translation TPT)

• Finally, you have what you say.
  Mark 11:23 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart [in God’s unlimited power], but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will]. (Amplified Bible AMP)

Even if you are watching or listening to Christian programs. Are you using them as a substitute for getting your own revelations? Whatever you bring into your space the most will produce fruit. Your attitude, your thoughts about things, etc. will change. The changes can be so subtle you miss them. Sometimes that is good. Sometimes it is not so good. The Bible tells you what you should think about.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. (Amplified Bible AMP)

How do you accomplish this with all that is going on in the world and in your life? You spend your time in the presence of the Lord. Your private time with the Lord will clean you conscious and your subconscious. He renews your mind in those moments you “dedicate” to Him. There, He shapes and reshapes what you think about. The thoughts you have in prayer and worship cause you to see everything in a different light. Those are the thoughts you want to govern your actions, attitude and response to all the world brings.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, I want to spend my time thinking about You. I repent for the hours I wasted and the negative influences I allowed through the gates into my conscious and subconscious. I repent from thinking church service was enough. I don’t want my thoughts to be what someone else thinks about You. I want my thoughts to be what You direct me to think about. I love being in Your presence. Then I think about You, our relationship, our conversations, what You share with me about who You are, and how I’ve experienced You in my life. I base my hope in You and what You share with me through our interactions. Thank You for prompting me when I muddle my mind with things that don’t pertain to You. Continue to remind me I cannot satisfy the time You require of me by reading a Christian novel, watching a Christian movie, or listening to a sermon. I don’t want to be pacified by or live vicariously through somebody else’s relationship with You. I want a relationship with You that You created and designed for me. I want to be in Your presence. I want to learn about You, from You. I want my desire for You to grow and grow…

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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.