C.m.a. Trinity Riders
Christian Motorcylists Association of Canada
Weekly Devotion
Our Strength and Our Standard
John Ogden Sr
March 18, 2025
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NKJV).
Although we are in the flesh while on this earth, God's Word reminds us that we are not to war or to operate within our fleshly nature for the things of God and the provisions of this life; while it is true, God expects us to use our physical strength, but only after being yielded to Him and being led by His Spirit. Our strength and weapons as soldiers of Christ are to be obtained through God. The most excellent access we have to God's things comes from prayer and faith in Him. Interestingly, prayer is the most talked about among Christians and probably the least done. We are to lay hold of God's provisions.
In verse 5, God reminds us that everything should be judged against His Word. We should judge all our thoughts and actions against God's Word. When our thoughts and actions do not align with His Word, we are to bring them into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Anything or anyone that would exalt itself above what God would say and against His knowledge should not be heeded. The direction for our lives, wisdom, and thoughts should always align with God's Word. Our standard must always be God's Word.
WEEKLY DEVOTIONS
Controlling Our Thought Life
John Ogden Sr
March 24, 2025
“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NKJV).
Our thought processes determine who we are. God declares that from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The things that we hear, watch, and see are the things that are planted in our spirit. They will mold our thoughts, speech, integrity, and character. This scripture tells us to take control of our imaginations and everything that would place itself above God's knowledge.
God's knowledge is revealed to us through His Word. One only has to pick up the newspaper or converse with a well-meaning person to realize that people's thoughts give them direction in life. As Christians, our thoughts should line up with the Word of God. In every area that does not, we are responsible for taking control of our thought patterns. We are in a spiritual war, requiring us to bring every thought in line with God's Word. Failure to do so will lead to immorality and spiritual death.
I am amazed at Christians that say they know what God's Word says, but think it is okay to do something different. This leaves a big question mark in my mind. I realize we are all an unfinished product, but we should strive to allow God's Word to be lived through us. God knows the thoughts and intents of the heart, but only when we turn those thoughts and intents over to Him can we begin to bring our thought life into subjection. It is our responsibility to stand steadfast, resist, and reject evil and unwholesome thoughts in the name of Jesus. We, as Christians, overcome our enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. There is a popular saying, "Just say no." But, in many cases, we must continually say no and stand steadfast on God's Word. God reminds us that with every temptation, He will make a way of escape. He also tells us that when we have done all that we can do but stand, we are to stand. We are to set our minds on spiritual life and peace. We are to fill our minds with God's Word. As Philippians 4:8 states, meditate on the things that are noble, excellent, and praiseworthy. At all times, we must be careful what we allow our eyes to see and our ears to hear. We can train our minds to think according to God's Word, producing a godly thought pattern. This will, in turn, allow us to prove what is good and acceptable according to God for our lives.
In my life, I use a simple method – the first step is knowing what God's Word says. The second step is simply saying out loud, "I take authority over (the thought) and rebuke it in Jesus' name." In this way, I have brought the thought in subjection to God's Word. I then say out loud what the thought should have been according to God's Word. As you practice and take control of your thought life, by the power of God, your outlook will change, and you will find that you will immediately begin to quote God's Word.