Browsing Tag

thinking

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Philippians 4:8

Posted on August 8, 2024

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” – Philippians 4:8

It can be really easy to fall into the trap of thinking about the wrong things. We all do it at times, and before long, if you leave your negative thoughts unchecked, they can lead you to become upset or discouraged.

In the Bible we are encouraged to think on good things. This shows us that there’s power in what you think about. Your thoughts can lead to a change in your actions and direction. The thoughts you think can determine where you go in life.

So choose to redirect your thoughts when you begin to get down on yourself. Replace those negative thoughts with things that are positive, things that God would say about you or the situation you’re facing. By choosing good thoughts, you’re setting yourself up for success in the future!

Daily Devotion and Bible Verse – Phil 4:8

Posted on November 17, 2021

 

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Phil 4:8 (NLT)

I always loved playing tennis in school. I wasn’t the best athlete on my team, but I was able to be a decent player by changing how I thought about the game. The defining moment for me was in a match where I had lost five games in a row. For some reason I just couldn’t seem to score points on my opponent.

My coach pulled me aside between games and challenged me to just keep thinking positive and believe that I was going to beat my opponent. With those words ringing in my head, I stepped back on the court. During the rest of that match, my opponent hardly scored another point. I came back from behind to win.

That’s a lot like what today’s Bible verse is talking about. This verse tells us to fix our thoughts on good things. Whether it’s a sporting event, a math test, or a relationship, what you think about it matters. If you think thoughts of failure and defeat, that is how you will see yourself and how you will act.

Today’s Truth: What you choose to think about matters. Choose to think good thoughts!

Choose to do what this Bible verse says and think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. As you do, you’ll find that you have more success and more fun in life!

 

What you think about matters

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Ephesians 4:23

Posted on February 5, 2019

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. – Ephesians 4:23

We can know lots of scriptures and memorize tons of Bible verses, but until we think about them to the point where our attitude changes, they don’t do us any good. The power in scripture is when you let it change your attitude.

If you know a Biblical truth, like how much God values you, it doesn’t do you a ton of good. You can still live sad, depressed and feeling like no one really loves you. It’s when you think about God’s truths to the point where they change your thoughts and feelings that they become powerful in your life.

So challenge yourself to not just read and memorize Bible verses. Choose instead to dwell on the truths found in God’s word. Choose to let those truths affect what you think and determine your attitudes. The word of God is powerful. When you let it become real to you, it will change every part of your life for good.

3 Things Your Phone Teaches About the Power of Thoughts

Posted on August 21, 2017

Teen and Youth Devotion on The Power of Your Thoughts

If you’re like most teenagers, you love taking pictures with your iPod, camera, or phone. Each picture you take shows a piece of your life. And some of these are so great, you have to share them on social media or Snapchat so all your friends can see.

I want you to imagine that every thought you have in a day is like a picture stored on your phone. Some you look at and decide “that wasn’t too great- I look stupid” and hit delete.

Did you know that your thoughts are similar to photos? They contain an image. Some thoughts you should choose to keep and others you choose delete. Every day you can scroll through your thoughts and ask yourself “is this thought worth keeping?” So with that in mind, here’s some tips to help you develop good mental pictures:

1 – Bad Thoughts Can Be Deleted

If you have a thought that is a negative image, one that doesn’t make you smile, then delete it from your thinking.

Many times, we don’t take any time to think about what we think about. Getting into the habit of deleting bad thoughts is important because our self-image is based upon how we think about ourselves.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Phil 4:8 (NLT)

The Bible talks about fixing your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure and admirable. If you’re continually thinking thoughts that aren’t good according to this verse’s standard, you should be deleting them. Don’t spend tons of time thinking about things that aren’t good. Instead delete those thoughts and replace them with good thoughts.

2 – Thoughts Can Be Shared.

Each time you take a picture on your phone you have the choice to share it or not. If you really like how you look, most likely, you’ll choose to share it on some social media platform. You want others to see what you’re up to and interact with what you shared.

As you know, everything you post on social media sites reflects you. It’s like a billboard that tells everybody what you are thinking and doing. So ask yourself, what image are you portraying? Are you posting your fears, your emotions, your hang-ups?

The things you post and speak reflect your thoughts. If you’re constantly speaking negative things and posting negative things, it’s a reflection what you’re thinking about. If you wonder how people see you, just check out what you’re sharing with others.

There’s nothing wrong with sharing your thoughts, but what you say and share often affects your attitude. If you’re always speaking and sharing negative things, often your attitude and outlook will follow. Your attitude is determined by what you think about. Spend time thinking good things and your outlook and attitude will follow.

There’s power in sharing positive things and avoiding spending too much time talking and sharing things that are negative.

[Tweet “Spend time thinking good things and your outlook and attitude will follow – @studentdevos”]

Tip #3 – Thoughts = Success

The images you look at daily determine your success online and in life. If you always look at the images where you don’t look good, you’ll begin to believe that you’re ugly or don’t measure up. What you look at on your phone matters.

In the same way, your thoughts are linked to what you look at and listen to. Take some time to examine what you’re letting your eyes and ears feast on. If you’re having a hard time keeping your thoughts positive, pay attention to what you’re looking at and listening to.

[Tweet “Thinking good thoughts will propel you toward success – @studentdevos”]

If you want to propel your life forward, begin to examine what you’re thinking about. If you have a thought isn’t a good one don’t hesitate…delete it from your thinking. Thinking good thoughts will help you achieve success.

“We take every thought captive and make it obey Christ. ” – 2 Corinthians 10:5 (TEV)

Pray: Father, help me listen to my thoughts more and delete those that I don’t want developed in me. Help me not always say what I feel, but instead say what I want in my life and what will help other people. Help me to come to You with my hurts and feelings in prayer. Then what others hear from me will encourage them.

Read: Battlefield of the Mind for Teens: Winning the Battle in Your Mind by Joyce Meyer

If you’re leading a group for students, check out these discussion questions. They go along with this devotion and will help reinforce what this devotion is all about!

How to Be Happy – Part 2

Posted on April 22, 2015

Teen Devotion on Happiness

Do you ever struggle with being happy just as you are? Maybe you’ve got a big problem that’s just weighing on your mind. You might think that once that problem is solved, then you’d be able to be happy.

How do you get yourself to be happy regardless of what is going on around you? Well, let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about happiness.

Rejoice in the Lord always- delight, gladden yourselves in Him: again I say, rejoice! – Philippians 4:6

This verse makes it pretty clear that it isn’t someone else’s responsibility to make you glad. No one else can make you happy and no situation can make you happy. In this verse, you are commanded (not merely encouraged) to rejoice and be glad! This verse encourages you to be happy no matter what you feel like, or what problems you might be facing.

I have a friend that tells any sad person they meet that they  “have 5 seconds to get happy!”

My friend’s advice to others is really pretty good. She knows that you just choose to be happy- one minute at a time. It’s so simple- and you can learn to train yourself to respond to everything with joy- being glad in Jesus!

So no matter what problems or situations that you’re facing this week, remember that you can choose your response to those situations. When problems or the stress of life tries to get you down, remember that you can choose to be happy!

Similar Youth Devotions

Help! I don’t Like Myself – Part 2

Posted on December 10, 2014

Devotion for Teens on liking yourself

It can be really hard to like yourself at times. Social media doesn’t make it an easier. Its easy to see Sarah’s vacation pics on Twitter or Ben’s selfie on Facebook and become jealous. You might not have the money to take awesome vacations, or feel like you never measure up to how good Ben looks in all his selfies. It can be easy to see what’s going on in people’s lives and wonder ‘what’s wrong with me?’

In those moments, you might feel tempted to do things to make others like you better. You might fall into the trap of acting differently, wearing different clothes or being extra flirty with the opposite sex. Trying to act a certain way or change your appearance to get others to like you never turns out good in the end. Here are a few reasons why you should be true to who you are:

  1. You are happier –  Changing who you are to gain acceptance will always make you live with regrets. You are a special person that God loves greatly. The person you are is awesome. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to change who you are. You are created with a purpose and for a purpose. Don’t cheapen who you are by disguising yourself. Be who you really are, and you’ll be happier as a result.
  2. People like you more – Believe it or not people actually will respect you more if you are true to who you are. Be yourself and as you do, people will respect you. People can usually tell when someone is being fake or not themselves. Be who you are and be who God created you to be. Others will respect and like you more when you do.

When you’re feeling bad and don’t like yourself, the best thing you can do is spend time reminding yourself how awesome God things you are. Spend time encouraging yourself that to God you are awesome.

God made you with a purpose. You’re not a mistake or accident. God has a unique plan for your life that only you can fulfill. He’s got things for you to do that no one else can accomplish. He’s got people who need to be touched by your life and what you have to say. Don’t get down on yourself because you don’t have as much money as someone else, or because you don’t look as good as someone else. Remind yourself of what God says about you. That you’ve been created with a unique purpose.

For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 (HSCB)

Then go out and begin making a difference in your world. Begin to look for opportunities to help those around you who are hurting. God wants to use you!

Similar Youth Devotions

What To Do When You Have a Bad Day

Posted on July 23, 2014

Youth Devotion - Bad Day

Bad days are the worst! Sometimes its just the smallest thing that can bring a bad day on. Maybe you showed up late for work and got in trouble by your boss. Perhaps, you forgot your homework. No matter what the situation is, sometimes bad days just happen. Here are a few ways you can combat the bad day blues.

  1. Realize bad days happen for everyone.  Bad days happen for every person. So don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad day. Realize that tomorrow will be a new day and you can get new perspective on the situation.
  2. Realize that you are not facing these things alone. It can be easy to feel like you’re all alone or that no one really cares about you and your situation. The truth is God is always there for you to lean on and talk to. He gets it and understands what you’re going through.
  3. Think on what is true. It can be really easy to focus on the bad, and the negative about your bad day. Realize though that this might not be 100% reality. The situation might seem worse to you than it really is. Don’t feel too bad about it, but rather choose to think on good things.
    “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” – Philippians 4:8

Bad days happen to everyone. Its important when bad days come to take time to focus on getting God’s perspective and God’s help on the situation. Many times, a situation seems worse than it actually is. By keeping God in the mix, it helps you not focus on the wrong things and draw on God’s strength and ability when facing a bad day!

Similar Devotions For Teens

How Reading Your Bible Is Like A Garden

Posted on April 9, 2014

Devotion for Teens on Reading The BIbleAs a kid I would help Mom weed the garden. I loved the fresh produce from the garden, but didn’t really realize that if we didn’t weed we wouldn’t eat the good stuff. Have you ever thought about your devotional time being like tending a garden?

Mar 4:18  And these are those being sown among thorns; such as hear the Word,
Mar 4:19  and the cares of this world, and the deceit of riches, and the lust about other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Everyday there are weeds- thorns- coming up in your mind. What are these weeds? They are distracting thoughts, they are worried thoughts, they are thoughts that deceive us about who we are and what we want, lusting after things rather than God

These thoughts choke the Word in our hearts and cause there not to be fruit or results from our time in the Word with God. It’s not the mere act of planting God’s Word in our mind – it’s concentrating on it like we would a garden ensuring the weeds don’t choke out the good seed. It’s pulling out by the roots those thoughts that don’t line up with God’s truth. It’s a daily thing to do and when done will allow the good seed to grow in our lives. So daily sow the Word of God and also pull out the weed-thoughts of doubt, distraction, worry, lust and deception and watch the garden grow!

Pray: Father, today I plant the good seed of Your Word in my heart. I also pay attention to thoughts that would distract, worry me, deceive me or take me from You and pull these out so they die. Your Word is producing fruit in me.

Similar Devotions For Teens

What Pinball Can Teach You About What You Think

Posted on November 22, 2013

Unfortunately,  I’ve always been slightly addicted to the game of pinball. There’s something exciting about the flashing lights, the music, and most of all, trying to keep that ball in play by hitting it with the flippers.

Pinball is a little difficult in the sense that the crazy little ball never wants to stay in play. It always is trying to get to the bottom. Each time it nears the drain at the bottom, I remember trying with all my might to hit those flippers hard enough to keep that ball in play.

Pinball reminds me a lot of what the Bible says about our thoughts. The Bible encourages us to get rid of thoughts that aren’t good and fill our mind with those that are good. [quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. – Philippians 4:8 (God’s Word)[/quote]

To me, this verse is telling us that when a thought comes that isn’t of God, we are to flip it away from our thinking. Just like in Pinball, when the ball comes near the drain at the bottom, we are to flip it away from us, when thoughts come to us that aren’t of God we are to flip those out of our thinking.

So when thoughts come to you and you begin to think that no one understands or cares about you, choose to flip those thoughts from your thinking. Don’t grab a hold of that thought or even entertain it. Kick it out of your thinking and you’ll see that you’ll quickly begin seeing results in the way you think.