Stepping Stones: How Do You Start Your Day?

29 July 2010

Transformational Tip

Even those with the deepest faith, at times, wake-up some mornings in a foggy, frazzled state of mind. And on the most demanding days, they may even wake in a state of unbelief in some of the basic truths that guide them. Beginning your day with tangled thoughts and a mind-set of disbelief will lead to a day of stress and poor decisions.

The crux of making good decisions is being able to see the situation clearly…eyes that see the truth. This is how the truth can set you free. The battlefield is your mind, and the Evil One is the great deceiver…trying to distort your lenses so you can’t see the truths of life and relationships clearly.

Your challenge and responsibility each morning is to untangle your thoughts so that your mind and thoughts are aligned with the truth in God’s word. Set aside time each morning for this vital task. Prepare for battle by putting on the Armor of God…clear your lenses and head (See Spiritual Basics link on the left). Pray and read scripture till your mind clears.

Today, here is what you are choosing between. Confidence, peace, joy, good decisions, and excitement to excel on one side…, or inadequacy, fear, stress, poor decisions, and avoidance for fear of failure on the other side. When you feel stressed, stop! and examine the data you are going on. You have some misinformation, so replace the distortions with the truth. Focus your thoughts on Your God, His promises, love, and character. Remember, Immanuel – God with you.

Prayer
Dear Father, I know that You want me to live this day cheerfully as one of Your followers. But I often wake wondering if I can make it through this day and whether I will be able to cope. I realize that this fear is a form of unbelief…Help me with my unbelief today, my Lord. I know that when I begin my day with a muddled mind, I ask myself the wrong question; Will I be able to cope with the troubles I face today? I know that with You…that You and I can handle any circumstances that arise today. With You alongside me, guiding me, strengthening me, encouraging me…I can handle anything that comes my way…even those difficult situations I have been avoiding. So today Father, as I work to unscramble my thoughts…..Thank you for providing Your armor, Your Holy Spirit, and Your son Jesus, to save me in this battle….I will focus my thoughts on who You are: Immanuel – God with me. I pray this in the name of the Truth, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."
Matthew 1:23

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:7
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Stepping Stones Devotional

Lighthouse Network's Stepping Stones Community
  • Stepping Stones: Mixed Super Bowl Memories
    February 4-5, 2012

    Transformational Thought

    I’m a Steelers’ fan … born in the Pittsburgh area … so Super Bowls in the 70’s, my teen years, were unbelievable events as my beloved Steel Curtain smashed their way to an unprecedented 4 championships in 6 years. Teamwork, sacrifice, perseverance, commitment, intentionality, practice, heroes, legends, invincibility, power, role models. I learned so much through those fun Super Bowl Sundays.

    For a while though, Super Bowl Sunday also conjured up some terrible memories. You see, from late high school through college and into medical school, I made a lot of poor choices leading to many issues including a significant alcohol addiction. My worst memory ever: January 25, 1987, Super Bowl Sunday … middle of medical school, an awesome future ahead of me. It started off at a party with a bunch of med school friends. Through a series of progressively stupider decisions … consuming lots of alcohol, winning $600, more “celebrating” at a strip bar, driving drunk (after a severe snow and ice storm), 6 counts of aggravated assault, a cut, bruised and battered body … I ended up in a Newark jail. Could’ve gotten killed, or worse, killed others, several times that evening.

    Jail … it was what I needed at that time to protect me from myself, Satan, and the world … it was the best place to think. And God really spoke to me. I finally listened and decided that life according to my instruction book … my kingdom come, my will be done mentality … wasn’t working. My hole kept getting deeper and deeper over a 10-year stretch. I finally understood what Jesus did for me, and what God wanted to do in my life … transform me and bless me with an abundant life by fulfilling all my needs. I started to really know, love, and delight in my Lord. I finally decided to make Him not just Savior, but also Lord of my life.

    Well, it took me several years to sort it out and really appreciate that day, and now I look back and thank God so much for what He has done for and through me. My terrible memories of that one Super Bowl Sunday have been wiped clean with the blood of Christ. What He has blessed me with since then … spiritual growth, a loving wife, my girls, friends, profession, ministry, coworkers, experiences, has been beyond my wildest dreams, especially compared to being in jail facing felony charges. (Not wanting to test God, I always make sure I am in a safe place Super Sunday.)

    Today, realize that each decision, regardless of how big or small it is, has definite ripples. Are you measuring the ripple effect? Second, if you are experiencing difficulties, hope is in the Lord, not in your efforts or abilities. Third, if you have done some terrible things in the past, God will forgive and help you move forward, using even those events in powerful ways to impact you, others, and His kingdom. Lastly, after accepting Christ as your personal Savior, make the defining decision of your life on Earth to let Him be the Lord of your life. That’s when life really comes alive and makes sense as it pushes you to connect fully with Him. Life is your decision, so choose well. And enjoy the game.

    Prayer
    Dear Father God, You, Your love, and grace are truly amazing. I thank You for not leaving me even though I left You many times. Thanks for landing me in jail, so I finally could block out all the distractions of life and meet You and listen to what You had been trying to tell me for many years. Thanks for the tremendous opportunity to serve You and for Your willingness to use me in Your service … it is truly humbling. I pray this in the name of the One I delight in, Jesus Christ; And all God’s children say - AMEN!

    The Truth
    Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
    Psalm 37:4

    The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
    John 10:10

    I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
    Romans 12:1-2
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