TSP DAILY DEVOTIONAL
PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING
9TH MARCH 2020
Dr. Phil Ransom-Bello
KEY SCRIPTURE/MEMORY VERSE: Mark 4:24(NLT)
Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given —and you will receive even more.
As a doctor, I have realized that one of the reasons why it is important for medical personnel to be taught how to present a diagnosis to patients is that people are fine until you tell them what the issue is.
So someone receives a diagnosis of a terminal illness and before you know, they are gone.
Why?
It’s simply because what didn’t have their attention before, suddenly did!
Have you ever thought about the fact that the way you perceive things contributes to what commands your attention?
For instance, before you found out about a person’s character, you were probably okay relating with them but suddenly, your perception of them changes because of something you heard or got to know and then you begin to see them in a different light which may or may not be accurate.
Perceptions are so powerful in how they affect your heart so you must protect what affects your attention.
From our text today, there’s an important lesson to note. We see that the way to gain understanding of whatever situation you are in and navigate it, is to pay close attention to what we are hearing.
The question is- What are you paying attention to?
If you think back to the lesson on our roadmap to transformation, you’d realize that the way character gets formed is not a product of thinking one thought once. Rather, it’s that you did many times.
It’s thinking that one thought many times that actually forms a habit that is sustained to become a character. Someone who is always complaining probably began by reacting to a circumstance instead of addressing it. If you put that person in the midst of four individuals in the same problem, it is the one who has built the habit of complaining overtime that will first complain even if the others want to address the situation.
There’s a reason the Bible is particular about asking us not to complain(Philippians 2;14). To change the habit of complaining, you have to go back to the word! That’s how to receive rest about an issue. Ask yourself- What does the word say about this? Then rest there.
Friends, it’s so important for you to think about the promise or the truth of God’s word many times. The problem or the circumstance may change but let the same promise be your contemplation. Whether you are dealing with a health challenge or with pain/hurt that someone caused you or a loss, fix your attention on the SAME truth of God’s word;
That you are loved.
That God cannot fail in His promise.
That His victory is your victory.
It’s a one size fits all advantage.
REFLECTION
Do I pay attention to how my perceptions(both about people or situations)are formed or do I just operate with these perceptions?
DECLARATION
-I am born of God.
-Through my union with Christ, I have His mind. As a result, my perceptions come from Him and that’s the only way I interpret life from.
-I exercise discipline in my frequency of thinking about God’s word. I think more about His word than I do the situation.
-I walk in understanding as I learn to pay close attention to God’s word.
-My posture is that of rest. As I focus on Christ and the promise, I enjoy rest in every situation.
-There is no room for worry or uncertainties or comlaining.
-I have godly habits in my response or reaction to situations.
-Today, I enjoy daily benefits and testimonies abound for me because the Gospel works. Hallelujah!
HEARING BY THE WORD
(Recommended Listening)
Listen to The Believers Heart – Instruct Your Heart >> Dr. Phil by The StandPoint Church on #SoundCloud
