Garbage in, Garbage out

"Meditation is nothing but dwelling on the thoughts of our hearts"

How do respond when someone says something that doesn't benefit you? What do you allow yourself to watch on TV? What do you choose to listen to in the car? Do you surround yourself with people who talk about encouraging things?
-All these questions should lead to the answer of what's truly running through your heart and mind.

1. Find a happy thought and focus on it for one whole minute. How do you feel after? 
2. Find an angry thought and focus on it for one whole minute. Our moods completely change when doing these things.

Sometimes we think that just because we aren't necessarily living ungodly lives, then these things are no problem.
But, what about the time when your friend slipped a cuss word and you didn't say anything? Or, the movie you love that has nudity in it.
All of these things seem like no big deal, but they get put into our minds whether we want them there or not.

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about these things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8

The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, and that just seems crazy! But, to pray without ceasing simply means to continually be in the mindset of prayer.
Prayer  is nothing more than communicating with God, and we can easily do that by sharing our every thought and action with Him.

"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never with, and they prosper in all they do." Psalm 1:1-3

Our thoughts lead to our actions. Our minds are always thinking and the things we allow them to dwell on will shape our thoughts, actions, and every other aspect of our lives.

"We are, and continually become, those thoughts that persist in our hearts and minds."

The saying has always been true: "what goes in must always come out". And I know I'm not the only one who wants those things to be Godly, uplifting, and happy things.

 "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18