He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
I’m far better off when I’m dwelling in the secret place…I have to discipline my mind and emotions to dwell there. This is how I train myself to think of God first when unexpected matters pop up in my life.
Pride and the fear of man can be such hindrances to our lives. They keep us from humbling ourselves to the Word and from acting on it more often. They can distance us from the secret place of the Most High.
I believe I didn’t get serious about being deliberate in my thinking until I thought I could really take the Word of God at face value. Until I was ready to memorize it in order to protect myself from the fiery darts of Satan, until I truly applied it to my life, I was, at best, double-minded (acting on some of the Bible some of the time, and then reverting back to my own, fleshy, weak thoughts and remedies at other times) and had victory sometimes and was defeated at other times. I wish I’d taken what I merely thought were God’s recommendations as His commands at first. I would have been a lot better off faster.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him (first), and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:25-26
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9
Casting all your care upon him (first); for (because) he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
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.
Jeremiah 29:11
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Thank God, whatever’s going on, one of the key things when you’re dealing with something – things are going crazy – one of the key things that’s kind of hard to first get into your head is that the tendency, the temptation is to focus on all the stuff that’s happening. And the first part of victory is not to focus on everything that’s happening. No, the first thing of victory is to focus on the Lord and not the problem. You have to start with the Lord if you’re going to have real victory over the problem.
So one of the first things to get, the first victory is getting your mind off all the stuff, the fear, the anxiety, and get it onto God despite it. And, just by doing that, you’re already saying, “I am not under the storm, I’m under God.” The fact that I can even let go means that God is more important than the storm.
Excerpt from “The Storm King” by Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn
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And be not conformed to this world (they don’t have God so they tend to think of the problems): but (we who have asked Jesus into our hearts) be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (Christians have the tremendous blessing of being able to think of God first), that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (It’s God’s will for us to have His peace, always).
Romans 12:2
I’ve truly found that as I renew my mind to God’s Word, and the more I yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit throughout the day, the more I think of God first.
God bless,
Mark