Zoey Penwarden - Park City Church, New Plymouth

Why are your thoughts important?

Have you ever stopped to think about what you are thinking about?

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I wonder what is on your mind?

• Could you be listing all the things you need to get done today, thinking you are never going to get it all done!

• Could it be that you are replaying an experience or argument in your head that caused you pain or offense earlier today, yesterday, a week ago?

• Could it be that your mind is anxious … How am I going to pay the bills this month? Does my child have friends at school? Does my husband still even find me attractive?

• What about...  I am a failure? If they knew the real me, they wouldn’t like me? I am a fake… I’m just not good enough.

• Doubting thoughts like… I am never going to get out of this situation. This is it, all I will ever have.

If these are some of thoughts we could be thinking. How do you think our thoughts could relate to our actions?

Sometimes it’s so much easier to think the thoughts that are in our heads. But have you ever wondered how these thoughts got there to start off with?

Did you send out an open invitation to the world and let them in? Or did they rudely just invite themselves, gate-crashing the party, drinking your drinks, eating your food making themselves at home without your permission.

And somehow, instead of sending them packing, you have let them stay, entertaining them day after day… you’ve become the best of friends?

Did you know that you have power of your thoughts?  That you can think with purpose?

As we expose the uninvited thoughts to the light. They will have to flee.

Ephesians 5: 6-13 AMP – “Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin]. So do not participate or even associate with them [in the rebelliousness of sin]. For once you were darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light] (for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him--your behaviour expressing gratitude to God for your salvation]. Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character]; for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light [of God’s precepts], for it is light that makes everything visible.”

We need to be purposeful with our thoughts. Purposeful about what we think about.

Here’s our warning!

Proverbs 23:7 NKJV - “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Therefore we need to be able to know what thoughts are uninvited, and what is the mind of God for us. We do this by renewing our mind by the Word of God and taking every thought captive. By knowing what we think, examining it, and bringing it into the light.
 

She thinks with purpose...

Is this a healthy thought for me or a toxic thought?

Is this from God or is this uninvited?

Is this what God would say?

2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV –“… 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.”

Strongholds are ingrained thought patterns or ideas, these can be good or toxic, life giving or death! These creatures of the dark, uninvited guests that have made themselves at home in your mind, you didn’t invite them, and you may not even remember when or how they got there.  But it’s eviction time!

Let’s be purposeful about our thought life.

As we renew our minds and receive the good and healthy thoughts of God for our lives, we will prosper. Our actions will change because our thoughts are changed and we can live life to the full.

Jesus said - “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

If you knew your thoughts were so important, how would you think with purpose?

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Zoey Penwarden is an enthusiastic encourager, worshiper and leader at Park City Church in New Plymouth.  Zoey has a dream to see ALL women empowered and equipped to fulfill their unique calling, and lead a passionate life for Jesus, with purpose.
Born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Zoey along with her husband Simon and two sons have been living in New Zealand for 11 years. By day an intermediate school teacher… and at all times just-a-girl who loves Jesus!