Belief

Years ago, I ran across a small book titled: “As a Man Thinketh,   I remember reading it, a quick read, and this past Sunday I was reminded of the impact that little book had on me. Not because it was specifically mentioned, but because the subject matter of the sermon was taken from Psalm 16 and addressed David’s story in the bible on his sold out belief that the only good that he or any of us has is the GOOD of God.  And the question at hand is what do I believe? 

I remember lots of years ago, giving the little book as a Christmas present to a colleague who I was working with at the Hyatt Regency.  After reading it, she asked, very intentionally, “do you really believe this”. It was not in a condescending way but in thoughtful way as if measuring if she could really believe in it herself. I do..I answered!

Our thoughts are the springboard of our beliefs, and our beliefs are behaviors that are modified accordingly. It was in  1903, that James Allen published this short essay titled As a Man Thinketh based on the first half of Proverbs 23:7.. In the essay, he argues that man, his character and who he is, is the product of what he believes. And there is the question to be asked? Is that what you believe.  

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. – Proverbs 23:7(KJV)

What you see in this verse is a person who is saying one thing with their mouth—but their heart is in a completely different place. When faced with this conundrum, which one do you believe? You believe what’s in the heart. The thoughts and inclinations of the heart shape the reality of who you are. They shape your thinking which will ultimately shape your actions. The underlying premise is that noble thoughts make a noble person, while lowly thoughts make a miserable person. What is in your heart shows in your actions.

We have begun a new year and we are up for a new chapter in our lives. Among the many resolutions which are offered at the beginning of a new year, let this reminder stay on your front burner:  

We do not deserve the blessings that God has given us,, but in his love and gracious goodness and grace, he has poured them down upon us.  Even in times of troubles and heartache GOD has promised His good to rise from our lows.  We must not judge God based on our circumstances, for he is the purity and goodness from which our lives tread. He is our God of truth and worthy of our submission, to his ways and not ours, and to let him be honored through our constant processing of thoughts, as he gently transforming our beliefs into worthy actions which end up glorifying Him.

May God fill our hearts with His promises of wisdom, to be our helper in times of need, to be our constant companion, to be our light in the darkness, and our strength when we are weak, and our faith that answers fears door. We are only able to do what we do because God has gone before us.  We can love because he first loved us.  We can forgive because he first has forgiven us.  We can sacrifice because he showed us what ultimate sacrifice looks like. "He has given Himself so that he may dwell, Live, and walk in us unbound and unleashed".

These are things that if we truly believe them then the thoughts that are in our heart are the beliefs that we can faithfully stand on and the results will show in the character we exude.  

Oh, if I, myself, only could heed these precious words that God has given me to write...my prayer is that he will guide me day by day to fill my heart with his thoughts and his ways.

Happy New Year….May the new resolutions that you make be God driven and life lifting For those are resolutions that are lasting. For As a Man Thinketh… so He is.   

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!

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