By Martha Klein
Proverbs 15:26 says "The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him."
Years ago, there was an ad run by the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company. It said: "There once was a man who loved nature with such a deep and moving love that she told him one of her secrets. She gave him the power to create new plants. "The man, whose name was Luther Burbank,... saw that every plant was a child. It had its own face, own promise, its unique touch of genius or character. And if that promise were tended and encouraged, the plant would grow more useful and beautiful each year. "Luther Burbank... made potatoes grow larger, whiter, more delicious than they had ever been. He taught the cactus of the desert to throw away its spines, so that the cattle could fatten upon it, and made the blackberry shed its thorns, so it would not cut the fingers of the pickers. For him, the plum grew without pits, and strawberries ripened all year. he left the earth covered with flowers and fruits that no one had ever attempted to grow before. "And all because he knew a secret. He knew that everything that lives has the power to become greater." Even though it is only an ad, it has an important value that we should live by: we become what we think about. If we think evil, jealous or sinful thoughts we will live evil, jealous and sinful lives. But if we think on good things, we would be more likely to DO good and lead pleasing lives for God. Let us pray:
Dear God, We're sorry that we have not always been able to lead the good pure lives that you want us to. Most of the time, we can't comprehend that our unspoken thoughts can have an effect on the way we actually act. Help us to focus on pure thoughts so we can do good in your name and live pleasing lives for you.
Amen |
