Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 156 – Matthew 9:1-8 – Said To Themselves – Growing As Disciples
Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men. Matthew 9:1-8 (NIV)
Entertain Thoughts
What will you allow your mind to think? What thoughts will you entertain within you? Will you entertain thoughts that are good and right and true? Will you entertain thoughts that are helpful and healthy? Will you entertain thoughts that are pleasing to me? What is the alternative? Some don’t even realize that they have a decision to make about what they allow their mind to think. Some allow all the thoughts and opinions and values of the world to be entertained in their mind. Some allow their minds to be filled with dark and evil thoughts of the sinful nature. Some allow the thoughts of their mind to be far from me. Not only do they think evil thoughts, but they speak evil words and take evil actions. They live a life filled with very kind of evil. That is the natural and automatic result of entertaining evil thoughts in the mind. That is not the life that I will live. I want my mind to think thoughts that are good and right and true. I want my mind to think thoughts that are helpful and healthy. I want my mind to think thoughts that are pleasing to you. I want all my thoughts and words and actions to be pleasing to you. That is very good.
How can I think thoughts that are pleasing to you? That is a very good question. Entertain thoughts that are pleasing to me. Take my word deep into your heart and mind and life. Allow my word to do its work in you. Allow my word to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life. Allow my word to powerfully work in and through you. Then you will think thoughts, speak words and take actions that are pleasing to me. Then you will bring honor and glory to me. That is what I will do, I will entertain thoughts in my mind that come from you. That will be very good.
Lord, thank you for forgiving and cleansing me of all my sins. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind so all my thoughts, words and actions are pleasing to you. Use your word to powerfully work in and through me for your honor and glory. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Promises – Day 141 – Matthew 9-1-8 – Said To Themselves – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide
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