Remember two things in life: take care of your thoughts when you are alone

and take care of your words when you are with people. –Unknown

Take care of your thoughts when you are alone and take care of your words when you are with people. And I would add that we need to remember to take care of our thoughts and words all the time, regardless of whether we are alone or with people. That’s because the mind and tongue are two areas where Christians are especially vulnerable to temptation.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.

As a new believer, 30 years ago, I would get very upset whenever I had intrusive and unwanted thoughts. I didn’t know how to take care of my thoughts. I just knew as a Christian that they were wrong. It took time for me to memorize Scripture and then to begin using it to fight those thoughts.

Also, I’ve had to apologize and ask for forgiveness for the things I have said to people on many occasions. One time, I was finished at the pharmacy and I was convicted in the parking lot to return and apologize for my demanding words. I went inside and waited in line again to explain that I was a Christian and ask for the person’s forgiveness, which they graciously extended.

I’ve had to learn to remember to take care of my thoughts and words. I regularly ask God to help me govern my thoughts and control my speech. One of my favorite verses to use to resist temptation is James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

“Take care” is a phrase that most people have often heard since childhood. We’ve probably been told by our parents, grandparents, friends and others to take care of ourselves. But how many people have told us to remember to take care of our thoughts and words?

This quote cautions us to remember two areas in life where we can get into trouble if we are not careful.

As Christians, we need to remember to take care of our thoughts and words at all times.

This secular saying contains Scriptural truth, because we know from the Bible that both the mind and the tongue can wreak havoc in our lives, if left uncontrolled.

The mind is a battleground where wars are waged, and battles can be lost or won on a daily and sometimes even moment by moment basis. We need to be prepared to fight and thankfully, Christians have the Holy Spirit to help us.

Romans 8:6 says, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (NLT)

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through any the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.” (Romans 8:12-13 NLT)

We need to remember to pause regularly to be filled with the Holy Spirit and ask Him to govern our thoughts. It’s not a sin to be tempted, but if we entertain sinful thoughts, we are more likely to give into them and sin.

We need to take care of our thoughts by monitoring the things we read and view, as well as our email and social media. If we find ourselves tempted, then it’s best to un-follow, unsubscribe, and stop reading and looking at all suggestive material.

James 1:14-15 says, “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (NLT)

We need to take care of our thoughts by filling our minds with Scripture and letting God change the way we think.

Romans 12:1-2 says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (NLT)

In addition, the Apostle Paul gives us a wonderful list of things to think about in the book of Philippians.

Philippians 4:8 says, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (NLT)

Thus, we should remember to also take care of our words, because our tongues can get us into a lot of trouble. The tongue is a restless evil; that also requires vigilant monitoring.

Remember, one day we may regret what we have said, because our words have the power to hurt others; and ultimately cause harm to ourselves.

• Matthew 15:11 says, “It's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” (NLT)

• James 3:6 says, “And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” (NLT)

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.” (Matthew 12:35-36 NLT)

How do you remember to take care of your thoughts and your words?

Please click here if you would like to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior now.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Remember two things in life: take care of your thoughts when you are alone and take care of your words when you are with people. -Unknown | Click To Tweet

For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE

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Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. –Unknown

Difficult roads are not as appealing as the possibility that they will lead to beautiful destinations. If only we could reach the beautiful destinations without the difficult roads. But, spiritually speaking, choosing the road to follow has important, eternal consequences for every human being.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net. 

The most difficult thing for me since becoming a Christian has been to watch some people wander away from the Christian faith. The challenge has been to continue to follow Christ, in spite of other people’s decisions. Although there have been other family members who have accepted Christ and are now following Him; my heart breaks for those who no longer do.

In addition, it has been difficult to share the Gospel with people close to me, only to have them resist or reject Christ. Yet, though none go with me, by His grace, I will still follow Him.

I am reminded of the song:

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

“I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back.”

“Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; No turning back, no turning back.”

Most people naturally hope to avoid difficult roads. We want the beautiful destinations without the difficult roads. It is human nature to avoid pain and suffering. Challenges, trials, problems and difficult roads are undesirable. We’ll just take the beautiful destinations, please.

But, what does the Bible have to say about the road on which we travel? God has given us all free will, which means we can either choose to travel on the narrow road or the broad highway. But we need to choose now while we are still alive, because after we die, it will be too late.

Deciding which road to travel on is a very important decision, because the choice leads to one of two possible destinations; either heaven or hell.

You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT)

According to the Bible there is only one road that leads to a beautiful destination and that is the narrow road which leads to heaven. That means it is exclusive and only available through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, and by grace alone. In other words, salvation is a gift that we can’t earn (Ephesians 2:8-9).

There are not multiple roads that lead to heaven, but only one way and that is through Christ. John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (ESV)

Salvation is open to all who will receive it, but the road to heaven is difficult, though it leads to a beautiful destination.

Yes, Jesus paid the price for our sins through His death on the cross and salvation is a free gift but there is a cost to discipleship or following Jesus, and we are told to count the cost (Luke 14:25-34).

You may wonder how to count the cost, when you don’t know what difficult times are ahead. That may be true, we don’t know, but Jesus is looking for disciples who will commit to follow Him,despite the uncertainties. He is looking for people who are willing to say, “Lord, whatever the cost, I will follow You.”

The road to heaven is difficult in that we will encounter trials that will cost us something to continue to follow Christ. We may be the only person in our family who is following the Lord, or we may have to give up a favorite sin, relationship or even our life in order to continue to follow the Lord.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? (Matthew 16:24-26 NLT)

But, Christians can know that whatever we lose in this life or have to give up, it will be well worth the sacrifice that we make.

Mark 10:29-30 says, “‘Yes,’ Jesus replied, ‘and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.’”

Which road are you on?

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Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

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You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast

…because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

Perfect peace seems like an ideal that is illusive and unattainable in this hectic world; greatly desired, yet sorely missed. But, the Word of God says that perfect peace is not only possible, but we are given the assurance that it can be our reality. In fact, perfect peace is the result, for the believer whose mind is steadfast; firmly fixed and unwaveringly focused on the Lord, and for those who are fully leaning on and trusting in Him.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.

I sometimes deny myself the perfect peace that God offers, because I focus my mind and thoughts on the concerns of the present moment and circumstances around me. I allow the things that are visible and seen to distract me from the unseen, and as a result I struggle with worry, anxiety, discouragement and depression.

Though lately, thanks to the Lord, I have made some progress in this area. The Lord is giving me discernment so that now when I have negative thoughts; I ask myself, “Is there any truth to what I am thinking about?” I speak to myself this way, because I’ve learned that my mind can deceive me and I can’t always trust my thoughts. But I can look to God and His Word to tell me the truth, and I can receive His perfect peace as I fix my mind on Him.

This topic reminds me of the song: What a Friend we Have in Jesus, by Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1855).

“O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!”

We may be unintentionally forfeiting the perfect peace of God and experiencing needless pain, for lack of disciplining our minds and thoughts to focus on Him.

First, we have to determine what is consuming our thoughts; then we can redirect our minds and take the focus off our circumstances and look in faith to the Lord and His Word.

2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (NLT)

For we live by believing and not by seeing. (2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT)

God wants us to have perfect peace and He has given us the way to receive it by faith in Jesus Christ and through prayer. God promises to give us His perfect peace as we focus our minds and thoughts on Him.

In addition, what we fill our minds with, will consume our thoughts. We need to be careful about the things that we watch, listen to and read. But, if we fill our minds with Scripture and hymns, and praise songs, we will be thinking more about God.

• Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

• Psalm 29:11 says, “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” (NIV)

• John 14:27 says, “I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So, don't be troubled or afraid.” (NLT)

• John 16:33 says, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (NLT)

• Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (NIV)

It is the steadfast and trusting mind that God keeps in perfect peace.

To trust means to fully lean, depend and rely on something or someone. It can be thought of as a person who needs a cane for walking to help with balance, support and to decrease pressure from areas of weakness.

In the same way, we should rely on God and trust Him to be our strength and support to relieve the pressures of life. As we think of Him and meditate on His Word, our faith is strengthened and renewed and He keeps us in perfect peace.

For example, when you feel overwhelmed, which thought gives you more peace? Is it the thought that everything is up to you? Or the thought that, God will enable you with His strength to accomplish all that you need to?

At once, when we change the focus of our thoughts to God, we can receive His perfect peace as we believe and trust that He will help us.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

This habit of disciplining our thoughts takes practice. We shouldn’t get discouraged if our thoughts wander, but instead ask God to help us to keep our minds fixed on Him. In my opinion, I think this is a prayer He would love to answer.

With God’s help, we can keep our minds steadfast on Him, and trusting in Him, especially in times of uncertainty and fear; and remember that our God is unchanging and all powerful.

Psalm 56:3 says, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” (NLT)

Isaiah 26:4 says, “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the himself, is the Rock eternal.” (NIV)

Would you like to be kept in perfect peace?

Please click here if you would like to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior now.

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV) | Click To Tweet

For more FREE Inspirational Quote Cards you can use and share click HERE

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• How to Balance Content and Discontent in the Christian Life

• Quote card: Afflictions add to the saint’s glory…

NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won't miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You'll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth