What we think about in our daily lives really matters. Our thoughts shape both our actions and our decisions, and our actions and decisions have a direct effect on the outcome of our lives. So, what’s the most important thing you can think about today?

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Pastor Neil Tomba recently said, “The most important thing you think about today is what you think about God, because it will determine the whole of your life.”

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A.W. Tozer also said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

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Consider that for a moment. Is this true? How can our view of God determine the whole of our life? How can what we think about God – both in a general sense and also specifically throughout our daily lives – really make that much of a difference?

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What we think about God determines the whole of our lives in four main ways.

What You Think About God Determines What You Think About Yourself

What we think about God plays a significant role in shaping our see of ourselves. 

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If we perceive God as judgmental or distant, we might internalize those beliefs and feel unworthy or constantly judged. This can lead us to strive to meet unattainable standards.

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However, if we envision God as our loving Father Who created us in His own image, we tend to view ourselves with higher worth. When we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross to rescue us from our own sin, we remember how valuable and completely loved we are.

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God doesn’t make mistakes. You were not an accident. You were created on purpose, and for a purpose. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

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When we think about the sovereign nature of God, we are reminded that He has a plan and a purpose for our lives. God’s Will for us is for our good and for His glory. He wants the very best for us.

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Related Post: You Are Valuable to God

What You Think About God Determines How You View Others

Everyone you encounter is someone created in the image of God and deeply loved by Him. Everyone.

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How we view our irritating coworker, the man holding the sign on the street corner, or the candidate from the opposing political party reflects our view of God. How we view refugees, widows, and orphans displays how we perceive God.

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Everyone is God’s image-bearer. Each one is someone God loves and Jesus died for.

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Do we really believe God created (fill-in-the-blank) in His image? Do we really believe God loves them deeply? Did Jesus really empty Himself, come to earth, bear human form, be rejected, tortured, and die for them?

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If the answer truly is “yes,” then that should affect the way we both view and treat them.

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Perhaps it means viewing them with more compassion than anger. Maybe we need to consider others’ pain behind their sin, or get to know their story beyond their current circumstances. 

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After all, we cannot reflect God to those around us without loving the world that God loves.

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Related Post: 5 Truths About Loving Difficult People

What You Think About God Determines How You View God’s Word

Do you believe God keeps His promises? Is He faithful?

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In Genesis 1:3, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Can you imagine? All of creation obeys His commands. His Word comes to pass.

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So then, His Word through the scriptures shows us His commands and His promises to us. And these, too, will come to pass.

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God is love. So, when it says “His love endures forever” twenty-six times just in Psalm 136 alone, we can trust that His love for us will remain no matter what happens in our lives.

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God is faithful. When it says, “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” in 2 Thessalonians 3:3, we can trust that God will be faithful to give us strength.

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God is good. We can stand on His Word when it says:

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“The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” - Psalm 145:9 

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When we believe the Bible is true, because God is True, we can apply those truths to our lives. We can walk in obedience to God’s Word, operate in His Wisdom, and rely on God’s Promises for our lives.

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Related Post: God’s Promises for You

What You Think About God Determines What You Think About Eternity

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The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9

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God is merciful. He does not want anyone to perish. God desires all to come to repentance and live eternally with Him.

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God is love, and He loves His creation. He loves every image-bearer on this earth, and sent Jesus to rescue us all.

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Think about Who God is today, and what He desires for His image-bearers. This should give us a desire to help those around us know about His love and His free gift of salvation.

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We have Good News! We have been rescued from death to life! There is no better story to tell than our own stories of how Jesus pulled us out of our old lives and made us new. When we really think about God and what He’s done, it leads us to pray, “Holy Spirit, lead me into conversations about Jesus today.”

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Related Post: 3 Reasons Why Sharing Your Faith Story Matters

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Today, spend time thinking about God. Think about God, His character, and His promises. Allow your view of God to shape how you view yourself, others, His Word, and eternity.

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