Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Miracles – Mark 2:8 – Thinking These Things – Growing As Disciples
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Mark 2:8 (NIV)
Your Thoughts
How are you guarding the thoughts that you allow your mind to think? I’m not sure what you mean. I think thoughts that come into my mind. Is your question suggesting that I can control the thoughts of my mind? Are you implying that I am not powerless to think about every thought that enters my mind? Do I have the ability to guard the thoughts that I think? What do you think? At one time, I was powerless to control the thoughts of my mind. I simply kept on thinking whatever thought came into my mind. That’s not good. No, it is not. Why is that? My thoughts will become words. My words will become deeds. My thoughts and words and deeds will become the sum total of the life I will live. So, at one time, you had very little control over the life you would live. You were subject to whatever thoughts came into your mind. That’s true.
What has happened to you? You have been given me new thoughts to think, words to speak and deeds to do. How so? As I have been meeting with you in your word you have been changing my heart and transforming my mind. Your word has been protecting my mind. Your word has been changing me from the inside out. Day by day, you have been strengthening my heart and mind so that I can think thoughts that are pleasing to you. You have been strengthening my heart and mind so I an reject thoughts that are displeasing to you. So, you are growing in your ability to guard the thoughts of your mind. Yes, that’s true.
Is my work in you complete? How so? Do you only think thoughts, speak words and do deeds that are pleasing to me? Are you fully living the life that I have called you to live? No, your work is not finished in me. I still think thoughts, speak words and do deeds that are not pleasing to you. I am not yet fully living the life that you have called me to live. Are you discouraged? Do you want to quit? Are you tempted to give up? No, I am not discouraged. I do not want to quit. I am not tempted to give up. Just the opposite is true. How so? I am encouraged because you are changing me moment by moment and day by day. I am the work of your hands. You are molding and shaping my life. Every day I am thinking more of your thoughts, saying more of your words and doing more of your deeds. I am more fully living the life you have called me to live. I welcome you to continue your work in me. That’s good. I will keep on changing your thoughts, words and deeds as you love, follow and serve me.
Lord, I have thought what I would rather not think. My thoughts have led me to say what I wish I had not said. My thoughts have led me to do what I wish I had not done. Change the thoughts of my mind so that I can live the life you have called me to life. Amen
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Miracles – Mark 2-8 – Thinking These Things – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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