Good Morning,
Spent several hours in the St. Tammany ER Sunday... My Grandson Grason (almost 6) dislocated his left hip... He is home, but in a lot of pain... We will hear from an Orthopedic Surgeon Monday... He may have to go to Children's Hospital in New Orleans for the necessary surgery...
We're praying for a quick and complete recovery...
Richard
Find and
Replace
By
Karen
Ehman
"... throw off your old sinful
nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new
nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." Ephesians 4:22-24
(NLT)
There's a nifty editing tool on my
computer called "find and replace." It allows me to locate an existing word and
exchange it for one more suited to the meaning of my
sentence.
At times I wish I had such a feature
on my brain; a "find and replace" option that would help me keep my thoughts in
a healthy place and in line with God's Word. Especially when it comes to setting
my own agenda and getting my own way. (Better known as
selfishness.)
Even though I can't press a button and
instantly swap out my old thoughts for new ones, I can still apply this "find
and replace" process to my sometimes-selfish line of
thinking.
When tempted to throw a pity party
with only ourselves on the guest list—because let's face it, no one fancies the
company of a whiner—let's replace our negative notions with insight from God's
Word.
"If I don't look out for myself,
who will?"
"What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." (Luke 12:6-7 NLT)
"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being." (Philippians 2:5-7a NLT)
"I'm entitled to my
opinion."
"Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say, 'If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.'" (1 Peter 3:9-11 NLT)
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:3-5 ESV)
"Who cares about them? It's all
about me."
"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God." (Philippians 1:9-11 NLT)
"But what about what I
want?"
"Carefully determine what pleases the Lord." (Ephesians 5:10 NLT)
How about it? Could your thought
patterns benefit from some "find and replace" therapy? It is sure to center our
minds on God and, as a result, make our relationship with Him—as well as with
others—healthier, happier and whole. Let's pursue an unselfish and God-pleasing
attitude. Find and replace.
Dear Lord, at those times I'm
tempted by selfishness, may I align my thinking with Your will and Your Word. In
Jesus' Name, Amen.
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