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. Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

How important is it to think right?

1. What I think reveals who I am.

As he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJ)

2. What I think affects how I feel.

For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15 (NLT)

3. What I think influences how I live.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

4. What I think matters to God.

(Jesus) “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. Mark 7:14-16 (NLT)

Case study from the life of David:

1 Samuel 4:

This story begins with the death of Saul and capture of the Ark.

1 Samuel 5:

After the Philistines captured the Ark of God.

1 Samuel 6:3:

Send the Ark of the God of Israel back with a gift.

1 Samuel 7:2:

The Ark remained in Kiriath-jearim for a long time—twenty years in all. During that time all Israel mourned because it seemed the Lord had abandoned them.

1 Chron. 1:9:

David became more and more powerful, because the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was with him.

1 Chron. 13:3:

“It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul.”

1 Chron. 13:7-9:

They placed the Ark of God on a new cart...Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart. David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might...but the oxen stumbled...and Uzzah died there in the presence of God.

1 Chron. 13:11-14:

David was angry (and) David was now afraid of God, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of God back into my care?” So David did not move the Ark into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. The Ark of God remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and everything he owned.

David, after moving the Ark of God to Jerusalem:

O nations of the world, recognize the Lord, recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise, for the Lord is coming to judge the earth. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Cry out, “Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you.”1 Chronicles 16:28-35 (NLT)

Homework:

1. I am thankful for_________________________________

2. I am rejoicing about______________________________

3. I am praising God for_____________________________