Unclogging the brain in 'real' time
Ever had a clogged bathroom sink?
Remember the gunk that came out when you had to take the drain trap apart to remove the yucky ball of hair? Let me ask you, how did that hair get there? We all know, it got there one hair at a time. Over time, one hair that was trapped in the drain, attached to a second hair, then three, then four. As the tiny hairs continued to accumulate eventually it took just one more hair to stop up the entire drain. It doesn’t happen over night. It takes time, but the telltale signs are there long before you have to call the plumber to fix the problem. Had we taken immediate action at the first sign of trouble, we would have avoided the inevitable...a clogged drain.
It works the same with a clogged brain.
If we let one negative thought stick in our minds, it eventually attracts another and another until our mind is a total mess. Then, we begin to blame everyone around us for the “clogging” that we allowed.
How we change
If “clogging” is a problem, how do we fix it? God has an answer in Phillipians...it’s His way of keeping the brain unclogged. Paul said, “Finally, brethren, (finally means it is a process you learn to follow) ...finally, 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 ...think on these things (Phil. 4:8).
So what clogs our minds?
Obviously, the opposite of the above, which is: Whatever things are UNTRUE, Whatever things are NOT NOBLE, whatever things are UNJUST, Whatever things are UNPURE, whatever things are NOT LOVELY, whatever things are NOT OF GOOD REPORT, NOT VIRTUOUS, and NOT PRAISEWORTHY.
Lets go through some of the words that need farther explanation so we will know ‘how to’ focus on the things we should. Noble, (honest in KJV version): is simply directing our thoughts to things or persons that has earned respect through time. Proven, revered things. In other words, ‘keep the garbage out’. What about lovely? It’s simply pleasant things. Good Report? Strong’s Concordance says, you listen only to “things spoken in a kindly spirit with good-will to others.” How closely do we follow that commandment? Virtue: In this verse, virtue is talking about the human mind and it’s course of thought. The thoughts are to be “of moral excellence”.
Trash the harmful
If I could put Phillipians 4:8 in common ever day words we could say, “Think about things that build up and edify. Refuse to think on negative, harmful things that tear you or another person down.” Surprise! And, let me add, if you think your thoughts are hidden...surprise! They are not! EVENTUALLY WE speak WHAT WE THINK ABOUT. So our thoughts are no secret to those around us! Do we build up or cut down? Do we try to make people feel encouraged or do we even care how they feel? What does our friends hear from our mouth that’s telling them how we think? If you want to unclog your life, you must unclog your brain. It can only be done by letting God mold and shape us on a daily basis through having an “attitude of worship” in everything we do from how we eat to how we work. We should worship God in the thoughts we think and the things we speak. When we see ourselves worshiping God in all we do, we will adjust our thoughts which will result in adjusting “how we do some things”.
The Prophet and Prophetess
by Teresa A. LeNeave
In the Christian world today, it is not unusual to be a prophet or prophetess ... at least that’s what they want us to think.
So, who really is a prophet or prophetess? I would not want to be the judge of anyone, but this we do know: we can define a prophetess or prophet by the view opened to us in Scripture. What’s that like?
As far as I can determine, a prophet, or prophetess is a person who is encountered by God and who speaks in His behalf. In these encounters, it doesn’t seem that God regards his, or her, position in society or even their willingness to tell the message. Jeremiah didn’t want to be a prophet. Jonah didn’t want to go ... but when God intercepted their lives ... they went whether they wanted to or not.
The intention of the prophetic message, as seen from the Bible’s point of view is different from some of what we see in our day. In the Bible, the prophet’s messages demanded a change in the fabric of society in which they were speaking the prophecy. Also, moral agendas were attacked if not consistent with God’s laws. The message demanded they conform to God's desired standards or they would pay the price.
I believe God speaks through prophets and prophetesses, but we have to be careful who we listen to. I believe, the prophetic is a divine encounter with a divine God. When he shows up at our door, it will change our life forever.
I’ve seen some fake prophets ... or some I thought were fake. The Bible speaks of false prophets: that they are wolves who appear as sheep, in sheep’s clothing.
Why would he use that analogy? The only reason, I can see, is that the false prophet has, for his intention: deception. They have to sneak around in sheep’s clothing to deceive. If the devil came as himself - even a sinner wouldn’t fall into his trap.
A genuine prophet should be very wise in how he proclaimed a message from God and very humbled, knowing the dangers and risks of the task. A false prophet would probably do a lot of boosting about his gift and what ‘he’ has done.
There is one thing I noticed when studying about prophets and prophetesses and that is that their listeners understood the message quite clearly. They didn’t have to guess what the prophets were talking about. The message was distinct and there was always a ‘reason’ for the prophetic message.