Good morning family of God!
Isaiah 55:8-9 says,
• “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
According to this Scripture our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. Let me give you an example:
There was a business man from America that was doing business in Dubai. One of the members of the Royal Family came to him and asked him what he would like as a gift before he left. The business man politely said, “Nothing, thank-you.” The Sheikh from Dubai insisted and said, “It is our tradition to give a gift.” Because the American man did not want to offend their tradition he said, “Well, how about a golf club?” The Sheikh from Dubai said, “Fine!” And the American walked away. About 3 weeks later, a knock came to the man’s front door and he introduced himself as so and so from the Royal Family and said, “I have come to take you to your GOLF CLUB!” There were 18 holes, a restaurant, a golf pro-shop, putting greens, a clubhouse, etc.
See, the American was “thinking” (golf) club (the actual stick) – The Sheikh from Dubai was “thinking” CLUB.
It is so important that we THINK LIKE GOD THINKS. Proverbs 23:7 says,
• As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
I would like to give you a Scriptural example from Numbers 13 that illustrates how important it is that we THINK LIKE GOD THINKS. This is the story about the Lord speaking to Moses and telling him to send out men to spy out the land of Caanan. When they got there (to the valley of Eshcol), they cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes that was so big, the men had to carry it between the two of them on a pole (verse 23). They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. After spying out the land for 40 days, they brought back word to all the congregation and said, “It truly flows with milk and honey,” and showed them the fruit. Listen to what verse 28 says,
• Nevertheless, the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there (giants).
So, Caleb quiets down the people before Moses and says (verse 30),
• “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”
Verses 31-32 goes on to say,
• But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are NOT able to go up against the people for they are stronger than we.” And they gave the children of Israel a BAD REPORT of the land which they had spied out saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature.
Now here is the climax. Look at verse 33,
• “There we saw the giants and WE WERE LIKE GRASSHOPPERS IN OUR OWN SIGHT, AND SO WE WERE IN THEIR SIGHT.”
I frequently remind myself of this story from Numbers 13 because it is such a good illustration of how important it is that we have a KINGDOM MENTALITY. We must remain hopeful in the midst of troubling circumstances. In life we all go through difficult situations, but we must deal with them by finding out what God’s Word has to say and THINK HIS THOUGHTS. See, perfect circumstances do not exist in this fallen world, but you can find peace through the words that Jesus spoke in John 16:33,
• I have told you these things so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
Guess what? 1 John 5:4 says,
• For whatever (or whoever) is born of God – that is you – OVERCOMES THE WORLD! And this is the VICTORY that overcomes the world – OUR FAITH (in God and in His Word).
I want to encourage you not to quit when you are being afflicted by the devil because
Psalm 34:19 says,
• MANY ARE THE AFFLICITONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT THE LORD DELIVERS HIM OUT OF THEM ALL.
So, put your faith in God’s Word by having a KINGDOM MENTALITY! Replace your thoughts with God’s overcoming thoughts and you will triumph in every situation.
“Father, I thank Your for giving us the attitude of a conqueror even thought we all face trials and obstacles in life. We are well able to overcome our tests and trials by keeping our minds fixed on Your Word alone. In the Name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we will not speak anything contrary to Your Word or spread any “evil reports”. We are determined to feed our minds and spirits on the Word of God and refuse to murmur and complain. You told us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. We will speak to our circumstances and tell them to be quiet like Jesus did to the storm. We refuse to fear and we trust that you will always bring us through. We love You and praise You for Your Word today in Jesus’ Name, amen.”
Striving to think like God thinks,
Lisa Gordon
Jesus City Church