Penny for your thoughts

Penny for your thoughts

September 19, 2020

Introduction

In our recent survey, someone suggested that we study “Thinking.” Many topics were suggested, but this one got my attention for the moment. One expression that I had to think of was “Penny for your thoughts.” I checked Google to see if it would be easy to find the origin or background of the expression, but I found nothing, so we will leave the thought, “Penny for your thoughts, and turn to the Bible where I found this sobering thought: (Prov 23:7 KJV) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

That is indeed a sobering thought.

Body

I. A man is as he thinks.

:(Prov 23:7 KJV) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

A. Our thinking and our hearts are inseparable.

(Mark 7:21-23 NKJV) "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, {22} "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. {23} "All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

B. What we see and what we think are also tied together.

(Mat 5:27-28 NKJV) "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' {28} "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

C. Paul tells about our thoughts and how to control them.

1. Have a positive attitude.

(Phil 4:4-6 NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! {5} Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. {6} Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

2. God will take care of us.

(Phil 4:7 NKJV) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

3. Fill our minds with good things.

(Phil 4:8 NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things.

II. Right thinking must guard our words and thoughts.

(Prov 15:28 TLB) A good man thinks before he speaks; the evil man pours out his evil words without a thought.

(Prov 15:28 NKJV) The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

A. Our words are very important to the Lord.

(Mat 12:34-37 NKJV) "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. {35} "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. {36} "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. {37} "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

B. We are to think right thoughts.

(Josh 1:6-8 NKJV) "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. {7} "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. {8} "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

C. God looks on our hearts.

(Gen 6:5 NKJV) Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

III. Right thinking is vital to being right with God.

A. God warned the children of Israel to remember Him

(Deu 4:39-40 NKJV) "Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. {40} "You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time."

B. God reminded them to keep Him in their thoughts in the good times.

(Deu 8:11-20 NKJV) "Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, {12} "lest; when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; {13} "and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; {14} "when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; {15} "who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; {16} "who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end; {17} "then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' {18} "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. {19} "Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. {20} "As the nations which the LORD destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God.

C. Remember to have a thankful heart.

(Psa 100 NKJV) Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! {2} Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. {3} Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. {4} Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. {5} For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Conclusion

I Is God in your thoughts?

II. Is your life right with God?

Sermons I have Preached Bible Study with Harley

Hit Counter