Thursday, January 25, 2024

Take Them Captive

I've been noticing lately, that it's very important to pay attention to what you align yourself with in your thought life. It's easy to just agree with things, instead of question where did this thought come from? Is it healthy? Is it even true?

The reason for this thinking is because I'm in a new season in which God is growing some things in me and old habits are hurting me the most. But even in that, old thinking is too. I'm a new person, changed and healed in a lot of areas. But when those old patterns, habits or thinking come along, it's easy to just up and decide that's who I am.

It's not who I am now. I can be honest and say that's who I was, but who I am today is stronger and more secure and capable in what God has before me. So realizing that these are not healthy thoughts or are untrue thoughts is key. Taking them captive - even better!

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Complacency

 From my journal...

Complacency that's what Eli had, right? He was complacent, not acting and it harmed him and his family. And it wasn't just him, but later in the Bible Hezekiah too. Hezekiah's complacency cost all of Judah because his son because the most wicked king of all. 

Complacency is a scary word.

God spoke to both. It's clear Eli knew how to hear from God directly because he directed Samuel in how to reply when Samuel was hearing from God. And Hezekiah went straight to God for his battles, knew where his source was. 

But they both lost something important and when confronted they reacted with complacency. Prophesy against their families should have brought repentance. Instead it seems the reaction was more a shrug of the shoulders. God knows what he is doing and this won't directly affect me, so meh...

Complacent = indifferent, nonchalant, unconcerned, disinterested, casual, uncurious

What was said to them should have been alarming, but it wasn't, sadly.

This is our culture. Complacent, asleep, indifferent. If it doesn't affect me, it doesn't matter.

God, help us to want you more. Help us to lay down complacency. Help us to chase after You and when we get warnings to take heed, take action. 

Love others.

Love others.

Love others.

Forgive us of our complacency.