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Voice of Inspiration

    by Andy Castro

Competent Thinking
Date Posted: April 23, 2023

The popular statement is: “We are on a journey.” As a Christian I prefer to say: “We are in a battle for our promise land.” It doesn’t sound like fun but it gives me a clear picture of my life on this earth. Don’t get me wrong, I still have a good time and can be a jokester. Having said that, we all know this life will relentlessly beat you to the ground if you are not on guard. Marriage can be hard. Staying out of debt can be hard. Dealing with your kids, boss or co-workers can be hard. Not falling under condemnation can be very hard.

So the questions becomes: “How do we stay on guard?” Here are a few tips.

1. Proverbs 23:7 says: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” What are your thoughts when it comes to the problems you face every day? Do you truly believe you will overcome the problems or not? Do you think God is mad at you and that’s why you are going through so much?

It is vital in our daily walk with the Lord to challenge our way of thinking. God says: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” This doesn’t mean we can’t have His thoughts. Paul said to renew our mind daily. In addition 1Corinthians says: “But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.” If you are thinking contrary to the Word of God then work on changing it. As long as you are thinking opposite of God’s plan for you then you will always live outside of His plans.

2. Josua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

Practice believing the Word of God. Believing is an absolute must if we are going to live a victorious life. How can we learn to believe? Meditate on the Word of God. Read these definitions of meditate: to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak, imagine. It sounds like repetitious speaking and thinking. The word muse means: To be absorbed in one's thoughts; engage in meditation. To be successful in this life it will take a consistent and purposeful engagement into the Word of God. We must think about the Word and speak the Word very often. This will help push the negative and wrong thinking out of our mind, which has been programmed in us since our conception. This will also strengthen our belief.

3. Mark 9:24 - NAS – Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."

There have been times that the Lord has stretched my thinking. In some of those times I had struggled with belief. Just as the previous scripture states, I have felt the same. I believe the Lord can do anything in me and through me. But my doubt fights me. Therefore I ask the Spirit of God to help me to believe for the next level of faith in my life. Don’t kid yourself into thinking a formula will get you all you desire. When you need help, ask the Lord to help you. He’s not mad at you and desires to help you in your time of need. He desires you to ask Him. It’s ok to need help. If we didn’t need help, then we wouldn’t need our God.

Always remember it is God’s desire for you to be happy, healthy, wealthy and whole in this life. But you will have to work at changing your wrong thinking patterns into God’s thinking patterns. But just as any battle, it will take determination, perseverance and purposeful thought to accomplish your goals. Just as Goliath challenged God’s people, so will your old thinking challenge God’s thinking. But all things are possible with God.

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Biography Information:
Since recommitting his life to Christ in 2000, God has changed Andy in such a way, he hardly recognizes himself. Andy is a story of God's grace and mercy.

He now writes and speaks as a voice of inspiration to encourage people to 'find the call' for their life and to fulfill their God given purpose. He writes to help you in your pursuit.
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