The Common Thread

5/16/2025

Jesus would not tolerate these thoughts below or just push them back. Notice the common thread:

• That’s not fair.
• Why did they get that and I don’t?
• I wish I looked like that.
• I’m too fat. I hate being fat.
• I have great hair, and I’ll bet everyone is noticing.
• My project was fantastic.
• I’ll bet people are watching me.
• I am really good at...
• I really love this kind of food—I love it, I love it.
• I really love this kind of weather—I love it, I love it.
• Having children is really hard, and it is draining.
• I wish I had children.
• My house isn’t big enough, and I hate it. It’s not fair that others have bigger houses.
• My house is too big to keep clean, so it’s not my fault.

This is radio.

These thoughts need to be renounced—not just brushed aside.

(“Radio” = our spinning, chattering, analytical noisy thoughts that are not of Christ -- our radio of self-indulgence, self-justification, accusation and judgment, mopey, looping, fantasies, comparison, pride, fears, and more.)

Surely, you can see the pattern and how essential it is that complaining, complaints, lust, envy, pride, and vanity... The thoughts that come so quickly that are unlike Jesus in any way—must be renounced (not just ignored) and certainly never voiced.

These things will drain your life away and rob you of your future and those around you!

I was reading this this morning, and it was almost in flashing lights: “I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.” This is what the Lord says—He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise (Isaiah 43:15-21).

This lit up: Why are we not to dwell on the past? Because He is doing a new thing. His mercies are new every morning. He makes a way through the wilderness. He defeats the enemy. (The battle is the Lord’s!) He saves, He rescues. He gives new Life. He gives drink to His people—Living Water. Why has He redeemed us? That we may proclaim His praise! Let’s be those who do! Hallelujah!

•  What Do You Do With a Radio?