thinking

I've been doing some thinking. I've had some thoughts. There's been a few things on my mind lately. A lot of things. I think a lot, constantly really. About what i should be doing..about what God's trying to teach me. About the substance of what my immediate plans amount to, and right now i'm just thinking about thinking. It's getting a little weird.

As i was driving to work, i had some thoughts. A very common occurrence for my commutes, probably for yours as well. Unless you're really enthralled with what's on the radio...or some music. I indeed enjoy those diversions as well, and that drive time is also good for praying. But more than anything it's cognitive festival.
Anyhow there i am on 75 thinking and making sure i'm not speeding, and i thought "i wonder how different a person i am than anyone else, and how similar i am to everyone...in the eyes of the Lord". I already know that (by His grace) i think about Him more than nearly all of the drivers in the hundreds of vehicles heading southbound past me in the opposite direction. I sometimes think "how much advantage in the game of life should i be procuring by that?".

I have idle thoughts or just thoughts about my daily affairs that aren't spiritual per say, just like everyone else, but i've noticed i'm less preoccupied with them than ever before. Honestly i'm really losing interest in the constitutionally guaranteed happiness pursuant thoughts most people think most of the time....i think.

Many of my thoughts are introspective, and i do a lot of praying during the day. I cant help but wonder what others around have going on in their heads. Most people do not think about God much, as they do not know Him, or know Him well. There is a verse in Psalm 10:4 that i often think about. It states in the King James " The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." the "wicked" being those outside of Jesus Christ. He's not in all, or any of their thoughts. "through the pride of his countenance.."  That's different than thinking about yourself with the knowledge of God. Self examination isn't pride. The Psalmist is saying they are full of themselves, which is really what we all are in our flesh. I found it interesting how other translations render this...one of them says "The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead."...another one says " ....In all his thoughts there is no ROOM for God."  They are self absorbed. What is it that occupies the majority of our thoughts? That's a question worth contemplating. We are what we think. King Solomon spoke of a guy in Proverbs 23 who has an evil eye. In other words a "wicked man". One who doesn't know the Lord. The most common type of individual on Earth. Even though He dines out extravagantly, or fancies himself to be skilled at culinary arts and has you over to try them out, don't do it he said. The Bible says said his heart isn't with you. It says what he thinks in his heart, is the summation of what he is.

How can we as Christians think differently? how can we distinguish ourselves from the world? God tells us in Proverbs 16:3 "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." being intentional in our actions and devoting our efforts to serve and please our Lord comes first, then your thoughts will fall in line. Also Paul gave wonderful words of inspiration and Spirit power commenting in Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Let God through His word shape your thinking, rather than the world and it's ways. Then It says you'll prove to the world what is right and acceptable in the eyes of God. I so want that power. I noticed early on in my walk with Christ that my thoughts were changing because i was reading the Bible and growing and maturing in Jesus as a result, a very definite and vital reason we need to dig into scripture every day. It will transform you.......and your thoughts.