Does it pass the test..or..can I park here?

I had a wonderful time at Prasso last night. Charity and I stayed up way too late and talked and did some laughing. The morning came much too early. Today, the kids were up early despite overcast conditions (except Paige).

I was blessed to listen to Laura Baker give a lecture last night. She is the author of the Prasso study that I am starting. In her lesson, she stated that living in victory over sin was simple if we could stick to just 6 words. Resist the devil, submit to God. Of course, it isn't always that simple. She encouraged us by saying that there are many thoughts that come into our minds, we can't control everything that gets through our senses to our minds. However, we are totally responsible for where we park with our minds. As thought roll through our minds, we are often in the habit of parking on destructive thoughts. She told us that right thinking is something that must become habitual through having a renewed mind. A quote used was "We must have a renewed mind because our minds cannot make good decisions with bad information." Romans 12 :2 states be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

I know that I want a renewed mind. I know that it needs renewed daily, sometimes hourly! I know that I have habitually dwelled on destructive thoughts. This can create a new stronghold pretty quickly. And you all know that I am dead set against strongholds! So, if I am responsible for what thoughts I park on, how do I make sure that I am thinking right? This is accomplished through the Phillippians 4:8 test. whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. And I love the next verse, verse 9 because it says if we do the things that Paul admonishes in Phil 4, the God of peace shall be with you. Notice it doesn't say might be with you. It says shall! That is a promise that I am counting on! If I allow myself to park on thoughts that don't pass the test or are destructive, I must confess them as sin. I need to replace these thoughts that tempt me with truth.

Now that I am more aware of this principle, I can watch it happen in my life. I can see that when I allow discouraging thoughts or conversation, my joy begins to fade out, I begin to worry, and wonder, and borrow trouble. I want to have joy and peace in my life despite painful circumstances. I believe that God gains glory in our weakness this way.

Please continue to pray for me that God will reveal more of himself to me each day. Also please continue to pray for the restoration of my family in God's timing and in God's way.