January 7 You Are Thinking What? Luke 5:22
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” (Luke 5:22)
Jesus had just healed the Leper, and the religious leaders began to “reason” among themselves about who this person was and the, according to them, was speaking “blasphemies!” Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked this profound question, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” Friends, it is extremely important to “bring under subjection,” what we think! You can count on the fact that what you think about and dwell on, you will, ultimately, act on these thoughts! During 2024, my thoughts were conflicted! I had thoughts of “guilt” because I perceived that I was not doing enough, and then, moments of “frustration” over the fact that I could not do things, what I perceived to be the “old” way! Thoughts of whether my “Faith” was strong enough to deal with these new and trying challenges, and the fact that “my joy” seemed diminished. There are times when I am unable to share my thoughts, even to Annette, because I truly do not want to be perceived as complaining or acknowledging any weakness. My prayer, I mean, my repeated prayer, for 2024, was for God to “cleanse” my mind and to control my thoughts and to move me into position, mind, body, and soul, to edify Him and to be what He requires me to be! The wonderful thing that has occurred, from the experiences of being a pastor, in 2024, was the realization that I can cry before my Lord and shout out that I don’t understand and to admit my fears and my shortcomings and to acknowledge that I am just plain weary! PRAISE GOD! He is ready, willing, and able to hear us and to minister to us, and to provide an outlet for our feelings of tension, anger, frustration, confusion, worry, anxieties, and to minister and alter our thoughts, and renew our Hope, and to Energize our Resolve, and to see us through, until the very end! I suspect that you have had some of the same thoughts and challenges during 2024. Join with me in praying this simple, yet powerful, prayer, as we move into 2025: “Dear Lord, I know that sharing my thoughts and fears is the only way for me to find the strength and comfort that I need to get through the day and to serve You, with Gladness! Father God, Thank You for loving me and for Listening to me! With Gratitude and Praise, In Jesus’ Name…Amen!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!