Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today let’s work on losing our worldly thinking.

Today’s scripture, Romans 12:2 (NLT) exhorts…
[2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Consider…
The late Zig Ziglar once said, “It’s your attitude, not your aptitude that will determine your altitude”. And according to Oxford Languages, attitude is a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior.

This definition helps me better understand why the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT)…
[21] Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, LET THE SPIRIT RENEW YOUR THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Verse 23 and today’s scripture make it abundantly clear that our thoughts and attitudes have to be transformed by God! The fact that the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to emphasize the importance of letting God change the way we think underscores the significance of thoughts.

The impact of thoughts weren’t just discovered by Paul, we see them in the initial fall. Genesis 3:6 (ERV) said…
[6] The woman could see that the tree was beautiful and the fruit looked so good to eat. She also liked the idea that it would make her wise. So she took some of the fruit from the tree and ate it. Her husband was there with her, so she gave him some of the fruit, and he ate it.

Notice Eve thought about it before she did it. If we’re honest the same is true with us.

James 1:14-15 (AMP) reinforces this truth. It says…
[14] But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). [15] Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death.

Like Eve, we visualize what we want before we pursue it.

I am reminded that some of the greatest athletes explained a big part of their success was visualizing the desired outcome before achieving it.

Clearly visualization is a powerful influencer in our lives. But why?

Oxford Languages says visualize means to form a mental image of; imagine.

That definition makes me pause and ask, what mental images are posted on the walls of your mind?

You see what we visualize solidifies our desires which inspires our thoughts and attitudes. I believe that’s why Colossians 3:2 (NLT) exhorts us to…
[2] Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

That verse just hit play on Patrick Love’s song that says…

With a made up mind
With a made up mind
I’m willing to go all the way through
If it cost my life
I’m willing to pay the price
I’ve got heaven, I’ve got heaven
I’ve got heaven in my view

If it means that I have to walk alone
Or that my friends become few
I’m not gonna worry about
What others may say or do
I’ve got heaven, I’ve got heaven
I’ve got heaven in my view

The second part of Oxford Languages’ definition of visualize was the single word imagine. That makes me fast forward to MercyMe singing…

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes would see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine
Yeah

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees, will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

What would our thoughts, attitudes and behaviors be like if those two songs were constantly streaming in our minds?

What we have on our replay is important. Ephesians 5:17-20 (NLT) tells us…
[17] Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. [18] Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, [19] singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. [20] And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

That prompts me to ask what songs are on your playlist? Are they the world’s songs or Spiritual songs?

This makes me also wonder, are we fixated on the World’s news or the Good News?

You see, God wants to change what we visualize and think about, because it will influence what we pursue. And that’s simply because God wants us to pursue Him.

So today, make up your mind to lose your worldly thinking and let God transform your mind, thoughts and attitudes to be finely tuned for Him!

Today’s Song is…
Take My Life (Holiness)

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)