Think About These Things

Jan 14, 2015 Think About These Things by Rick Warren “Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.” (Hebrews 12:3 NCV) For mental health, you must focus your mind on the right things. Think about Jesus. You’ve heard the saying, “You become what you think about most.” If you want to become more like Jesus, you have to fill your thoughts with him. Hebrews 12:3 says, “Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying” (NCV). Think about others. The Bible says in Philippians 2:4, “Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing” (TLB). Do you realize how counter cultural that is? Everything in the world teaches you to think about yourself and nobody else. But Jesus was counter-cultural, and when you think about him, you’ll more easily think of others. Think about eternity. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT). When you start focusing on truths like that, all of your problems are going to seem inferior compared to the glory, the joy, and the pleasure of the things we have to look forward to in eternity. Your mind is your greatest asset and also the greatest battleground. Ask God to help you make the choice every day to feed on God’s Word, free your mind of destructive thoughts, and fill your mind with Jesus, others, and eternity. Then, you’ll have won the battle. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What are some ways you can practice Philippians 2:4 in your small group this week? What about in your family? How will thinking about Jesus and eternity help you think about others? What is your biggest distraction from focusing on eternity throughout your day? How can you limit those distractions? Be Yourself TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly." Romans 12:6, NASB TODAY'S WORD: The key to living a happy, fulfilling, satisfied life, is really very simple. Just be the person God made you to be, and have the courage to do what God called you to do. He has a unique and individual plan for your life, and the way to becoming a champion for God is to discover that plan and follow it wherever it may lead. But because you are human, it's easy for you to get distracted - many times, because you're trying too hard to please other people. Of course, there are legitimate demands on your time that must be met. The good news is that these things don't have to thwart God's plans for you. Just make it your desire to follow and please Him, and you won't be thrown off the path by life's demands and distractions. PRAYER FOR TODAY: Lord, please help me today to use the abilities and gifts You have given me to honor You. Thank You for not expecting me to try and be someone other than the person You made me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen PS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgwGiF0-mlE