Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (Isaiah 55:7,8)

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins…following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived…carrying out the desires of the body and the mind. (Ephesians 2:1,2)

What do you think? If you could give voice to every thought that you entertained, what would happen to your reputation? Your relationships? Would you want the earth to swallow you whole to save your from the embarrassment?

The mind has been rightly called our own personal battlefield. The enemy comes to plant negative and downright evil thoughts in our minds to torment us and to incline our hearts to entertain those evil thoughts until they somehow become realized in our lives.

The most important thing we can do in our day is control our thoughts. Our thoughts are broken, and they need to be fixed. Paul’s instructions about our thought processes boils down to this: fix your thoughts on only things that are beautiful and amazing – in short, we are best off thinking about Jesus, how much the Father loves us, and what we’ve been given by the Holy Spirit. Can’t go wrong there!

Want a better new year? Start by renewing your mind with this plain and simple prayer…

Father,

In this New Year, I resolve to think better thoughts. To think better of You. To think more of You. To ponder Your incessant blessings poured upon my life, to remember the many times You have rescued me from trouble, the many times You bailed me out of a tight place, and the countless ways You have provided for me.

Give me a Grateful Mind.

In this New Year, I resolve to think better of others. I want to weed out every critical, judgmental thought that worms it’s way into the recesses of my mind, and to turn instead to intercession for that individual.

Give me a kind mind.

In this New Year, I resolve to think better of myself. Instead of remembering my past mistakes, I will choose to thank You for Your forgiving power in my life and for how You are taking me from one level of glory to the next through the power of Your Word. Root out all forms of pride in me and allow me to think soberly of myself, both my strengths as well as my weaknesses.

Give me a humble mind.

Overall, fix my thoughts on You! Don’t let me think of trouble and worry, rather help me to pray with thanksgiving and trust to the God of the impossible.

Make this year one of breakthrough! Make this year one of blessing! Make this year one of joy and peace in my mind.

In Jesus’ Name
Amen

Mark and Jill