October 3, 2025

Minding Your Thoughts

A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life

Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

As most of you know, I accepted God’s call to prepare for a position in full time ministry a little later in life than most preachers. I was 33 years old, and I had a job that I loved. It was great; I am not exaggerating when I say you would not believe how good my job was. Literally, you would not believe it; thinking back on it, I hardly believe it! I traveled the country, I played golf at some of the most famous courses in North America, and I met with senior executives at some of the best and greatest organizations in the country. It was wonderful.

However, I knew that God wanted me to do something for Him. So, I began preparing my life for whatever it was that God had for me. I never dreamed, nor desired to be a pastor; I was content with being a Sunday school teacher and a deacon. He had other plans for me. I am now in my 27^th year as a pastor of some of the greatest people I have ever had the privilege to meet. I don’t deserve even one of the many nice things my church has done for me.

During the transition from business to ministry I spent a year as a non-paid pastor intern for Dr. Bob Smith. I simply followed him and the other staff men around for a year asking questions and being a general nuisance. Several times during that time of internship I began to be concerned that I made the right decision. My wife would always give me the same advice, “Go talk to Dr. Smith.” 

I would say no. You know why? Because I knew what he would say and knew that he was right in that which he said. One of his favorite sayings was something like, “Never stop in doubt that which you started in faith.”   I believe him to be a righteous man and his counsel, based on his thoughts, was always right. I never have failed by following his advice.

You see, The thoughts of the righteous are right. I’ve asked many people for their advice over the years and I know this to be true, if you want a correct answer about something, find someone in the field of your inquiry that is righteous: their thoughts will be right. That’s just the way it is, it is the way God created it to be.

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

Dr. William Howe