Before Christ “˜was born”™ into my life ““ my thinking was never on the living God as my Savior”¦how about your thoughts, are they turned to the living God as your Savior?

After Christ “˜was born”™ into my life ““ after I received Him as my Savior and “˜was born again”™”¦then I had a “˜hunger”™, a yearning for God and His word. He alone impacts a believer”™s thoughts; He alone changes people from the “˜inside out”™. Then attitudes and behavior and motives change. God”™s message to the shepherds, which they told to Mary, resulted in Mary “˜pondering”™ His message and actions.

What God says to you andme will change our way of thinking when we respond to His truths. Then follows our praise to God, for glory and honor

belong to God alone.

(NASB) Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

What example does Mary give us to follow?

1- When God”™s word is brought to our attention ““ ponder it, think about it, and meditate on it. (Meditation is wonderful when it is focused on the living God ““ when it has an object. Meditation which is “˜clearing”™ one”™s mind of everything is open for anything ““ and that is not of God.)

2- When God”™s word impacts our thinking ““ what we do with that information is all important. (Hearing God”™s word and being “˜moved”™ by it is not enough. So many times we hear, agree and then forget. We need to put His truths into action.)

3- When God”™s word becomes important in our lives ““ there will be a need of setting aside a time to consider carefully what God is saying. (As we go about our day”¦doing the routine things that do not require concentration, in place of thinking about “˜stuff”™, we can “˜ponder”™, we can have our mind occupied with what God has said.

What is your mindset for this day? Are your thoughts and motives being influenced by God”™s word? What is influencing you today? Your own self-serving thoughts or the pressure of the world and society or are you being influenced by God and His word to you?

What is your prayer?