Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23
We are apt to regard our thoughts as fleeting and unimportant and, as a result, imagine that it matters very little what we think as long as we say and do what is right. Yet, in the last analysis, everything depends on our thoughts.
It is true that our thoughts are the products and proofs of our character. But they are infinitely more than that. They are the very materials out of which our character, lives, and destinies are built. Evil thoughts mar and destroy. Good thoughts build up, elevate, and refine. What we shall be in the future is based on what we think today, for what we think today provides the basis from which all our words and actions spring.
Above all, as Christ rules in our hearts His radiance beautifies our thoughts. He enables us to lift our thoughts above all that is sordid and sinful and to keep them steadily in the presence of God. Paul had this in mind when he said, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things" (Philippians 4:8). This is the peace that Christ earned for us by His death on the cross and that enters our hearts by faith in Him.
PRAYER: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10), for Jesus' sake. Amen.
(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Proverbs 5-7 John 20
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