May 17, 2025

Minding Your Thoughts

A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life

Daniel 4:2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

The other day a preacher said, “If I told you everything that God has done for me you would think I’m bragging.” Hey, brag away! Nebuchadnezzar did, for it is he that is quoted above. The very next verse says, How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

There is a story of a little lifesaving station on the banks of a treacherous waterway. The station was started to save the lives of mariners and passengers of any ocean going vessel that crashed upon the craggy rocks and reefs. The lifesaving station trained lifeguards and had a few outdated, surplus, lifeboats. The members of this station courageously saved many lives, to the point that it became very popular to be a member of this club. Over the years their facilities improved, they were able to purchase better equipment, and they even began building docks to harbor boats of all types and sizes. Little by little the focus shifted from being a lifesaving station to being a yacht club. This change continued to the point that very few of the members even knew how to operate the club’s equipment or stood vigilant for shipwrecks along the coast. One day a vessel had an explosion and began to sink rapidly. Many passengers and sailors drowned before help could arrive although they were very close to the lifesaving station.

Unfortunately, this is the same path that many churches and Christians have taken. Through increased membership, increased revenue, better jobs and enjoying the blessings of God, magnificent buildings have been built, programs of all types have been started, and professional staff for every need has been hired. The simple purpose of trying to save eternal lives seems to be an afterthought at best or totally forgotten at the worst. Part of the simple purpose of any church is to publish what great things God has done for them. However, many have changed to the point of being almost embarrassed to even mention His wonderful works. Every church must be careful not to leave its first love, its first work, or its first commission which is to simply be a lifesaving station. This is partly discharged by letting people everywhere know what God has and is doing in their life. This will draw others to Him. Nebuchadnezzar thought it good to show others that which God did for him, and so should we.

May the Lord bless and be pleased with your thought life today.

Dr. William T. Howe