October 15, 2025

Minding Your Thoughts

A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

The Lord God is letting Israel know that He has thoughts toward them, thoughts of peace. This was a refreshing message to Israel because much of Jeremiah’s prophecy was doom and gloom for that nation. In fact, this message was delivered to those who already were taken captive and carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon. They needed something, anything positive that they could count on, look forward to; something that would bring them hope and comfort. The Lord sent them a message from Jeremiah, a message of future deliverance, letting them know that all was ok, that they should live out their time in Babylon as best as they could. This must have given the Israelites assurance that they were not forsaken by their God; He still loved them and cared for them.

How many times do we have thoughts of love, appreciation, gratitude, and the like toward others but never let them know. Before she passed on into Heaven, a lady in our church would bring me pecan pies all the time, almost every week. I was her pastor. Each time she gave me something she told me that she loved me and appreciated my work on her behalf as her pastor. Then she would say, “I want to spread my flowers before I die.”  She was communicating her thoughts toward me to me. What a precious memory that I carry of her.

Many today are simply too busy to let others know of their loving thoughts toward them, or so they think. The thoughts of love, appreciation, and gratitude that we have for others can be and should be communicated. The simple act of saying thank you seems to be a lost art and this at a time when most people feel underappreciated. Believe me, as a pastor who deals with people all the time, many people are dying inside for want of someone to let them know that they are loved and appreciated.

Take time today to let those around you know that you appreciate them.

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

Dr. William Howe