Think on these Things

Renewal
by J. Sig Paulson

O Lord of renewal, refresh me, restore me, renew me again.
Make me newer than new and brighter than bright,
and then respond once more to my joyous shout:
“Renew me forever from the inside out!”

If we want to be renewed from the inside out, it begins in our mind.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7

What we think about determines what we say, how we act and live out our daily lives. Do you consider yourself a positive person? Do you point out the positive more than the negative? Do you see the good inside others, or do you think the worst until it is proven otherwise?

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

In Romans 12:2, we are taught that transformation is the result of a renewed mind. The apostle Paul writes, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will e able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The idea is that you have to retrain your thoughts and feelings if you want to experience God’s ideal for your life and get the most out of every moment of every day. Unfortunately, most people struggle to change or renew their circumstances (lose weight, fix their marriage, make more money), when they should be asking God to help them renew their minds. When our minds are renewed, circumstances take care of themselves.

an excerpt from the 4:8 Principle by Tommy Newberry

As you know my word for 2013 is rejoice. As I’ve been researching this morning, living a joy-filled life also begins in our minds. A joy-filled life doesn’t mean that life is always great.

What it does mean is that you emphatically trust God and believe that he has great plans for your life, regardless of what is happening right now. Joy is the infectious and uncontainable fruit of divinely inspired growth. It’s a deeply entrenched, unshakable belief, the result of sustained right thinking and dwelling on the nature and character of God. Joy is an outward sign of inward faith in the promises of God.

an excerpt from the 4:8 Principle by Tommy Newberry

So how can we dwell on the nature and character of God? I think you have an idea, by meditating on His Word.  To help me with this, I’m creating a brag book filled with various scripture verses to think on.

Why a brag book? I chose it for it’s size and ease of use.  It is meant to hold 4×6 photos, an easy size for scrapbookers!  I can create cards with scripture I want to think on and simply insert into the pages. You can easily change out based on what scriptures you want to think on at the time. Whatever trial you are facing, include verses that speak to you. You can pick up a brag book at the dollar store. I saw one at KMart yesterday for $2.00.

Most brag books already come with beautiful covers. But I chose to create a card to insert as my cover page. I created the title with my Silhouette Cameo and cut out of the Charcoal Crossed cardstock from the Love collection. The background piece is Scripture Dots from the Glorious Morning collection. I thought it appropriate to back it up with scripture!

Now I’m ready to insert more faith cards filled with scripture. You can add scripture from:

• your morning reading (a verse speaks to you)
• deliberate searching (if looking for a specific trial you are facing)
• Topical Tuesdays (a great place to add your creations to further think on)
• Faith Pocket cards (these cards make it easy to just add scripture)

Philippians 4:8 has always been a favorite verse of mine. This project came as a result of the Renewal Faith Spark. But also ties in with my one word of learning to rejoice in the everyday.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.