Maidens of the Master - Issue 14: Thoughts

thoughts
De Read s,
This issue of Maidens of the Mast
is both c victing and motivating. It t ches a t ic we often d ’t like to discuss, but e that is so imp - tant to r lives as f l s of Jesus - r th ght life. I h e and pray that y e blessed by the c tent of this issue, and that each of us will s ive as daught s of the King to have p e he ts bef e Him!
L e in Christ, Bethany
CONTENTS
Thought Patterns, p3
Recipes, p4
Meditations and Motivations, p5
Focus on Jesus, p6
With Thoughts of the Carpenter, p10
Cover Design: Iceberg Design Proofreading: Mrs. Deborah X. Photos: Wallpaperswide.com


Thought Patterns
Flames were rising quickly now... high around his head. This hu- miliating death was well worth the sacrifice. “I believe” was this Czechoslovakian protestant re- former’s motto.
“I call God to witness that all that I have written and preached has been with the view of rescuing souls from sin and perdition; and, therefore, most joyfully will I con- firm with my blood that truth which I have written and preached” (Wy- lie, b.3, ch.7).
John Huss died a martyr’s death for the sake of the Gospel.
William Tyndale was strangled, and burnt at the stake for not be- ing ashamed to write an accurate account of God’s word; for stand- ing firmly and courageously, up- holding Biblical principles, know- ing that the ramifications could result in death.
Both these martyrs died for a cause they believed in, and loved - the defence and confirmation of the gospel.
But it didn’t start by rashly de- claring a truth they now believed.
It came by months, no, years of studying - comparing Scripture with Scripture, countless hours of earnest prayer, and letting God direct their thoughts and actions; “...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Mat 12:34).
I was sitting in a lecture several years ago, listening to a naturo- path speak on the topic of the brain. She showed scientific evi- dence for “pathways” our brains construct and deepen, every time a decision is made.
Say you think a positive thought. Next time you have a choice be- tween positive and negative, you will more likely make a positive one... The propensity to think a positive thought will be more likely because that pathway has been ‘cut’ before.
It’s the same if you think a nega- tive thought. Negative will be eas- ier and more automatic for you to choose next time. Those nerve pathways will strengthen and en- large each time you exercise your choice to follow that thought - whether it strengthens or weak- ens our moral powers, is for us
to decide.
Not too long ago I had been struggling to “forgive and forget” some small, seemingly annoying things people I know, kept do- ing. So much so, that when I was reminded of them my mind au- tomatically thought the worst of these precious people.
It would have been a lot easier if I would have thought the best of them to start with. But to change that habit became harder over time. 1 Corinthians 10:5 says to bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”.
When I was younger, I had a real problem of murmuring and com- plaining. Mum gave me a book to write in, so when I would com- plain I needed to go to my room and write five things I was grateful for.
Through time after time of doing this, it became a lot easier to be thankful in the first place. Praise God!
We can know what should and shouldn’t be thought upon, and like the familiar verse that Paul
Shanna D. is a sixteen year old girl who lives on the east coast of Australia (NSW) with her parents and three siblings. Her passion is living for Jesus and she spends her days seeking to continually learn in the school of Christ while interacting with family and friends, playing violin, doing home- school, and serving in projects such as building, community jobs, and sharing the gospel.


(continued from page 3)
wrote, says “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, what- soever things are honest, what- soever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil 4:8).
Anything that does not line up with
these traits, need to be taken cap- tive to Christ.
“For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and mar- row, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12).
“Thy word have I hid in my heart mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psm 119:11).
The word of God has power like nothing else, and it can give us the victory over our thoughts... “O taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8)!
Recipes
CLASSIC CORNBREAD
1 cup our
1 cup cornmeal
2 tbsp. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup oil or melted shortening 1 egg, slightly beaten
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Grease 9” square pan. In medium bowl, combine our, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt; mix well. Stir in all remaining in- gredients just until smooth. Pour batter into greased pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 18 to 22 minutes.
-SUBMITTED BY BETHANY X
FLATBREAD PIZZA CRUST
1 cup water
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. olive oil
3 cups whole wheat our
Split into balls and roll out as thin as pos- sible. Cook on an oiled pan on the stove for a few minutes on each side, add piz- za toppings, and cook at 400 degrees in oven for approximately 15 minutes.
(These are our family’s favorite pizza top- ping combinations: pesto + fresh moz- zarella cheese, bbq sauce + red onion + fresh mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce + cheese)
-SUBMITTED BY ELIZABETH A


The past few weeks I procrasti- nated writing this article. I knew what I was going to write about, and knew I wasn’t the person who should be writing it!
The area I’m going to focus on in this article is one area in my life that I struggle with: motives.
It’s amazing how God works in the timing of things. Last Sunday as I was still contemplating on what I would write about, I sat convict- ed in Bible class as the teacher taught 1 Corinthians 4:5:
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hid- den things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
Here, Paul reminds us that God knows our motives. He knows the purposes of our hearts. He knows if our service to God is out of a true heart of sincerity before Him, or out of selfishness and a desire to look good to other people.
We can hide our true motives from everyone around us - our parents, family members, teach-
ers, brothers and sisters in Christ, church leaders, unbelievers. We may even deceive ourselves, but we can’t hide our motives from God.
Disguising the underlying reasons for why we do good deeds may be effective to fool people, but it won’t fool God.
And even worse, it won’t do us
We can’t hide our motives from God.
a bit of good on judgment day. This verse tells us that when the Lord comes, He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels of the hearts.
What a scary thought! Jesus will make known the counsels of our hearts, and will give us praise ac- cordingly.
This fast-paced, innovative world
is a world of results. If a method or system produces good results, it is embraced; if it doesn’t, it is cast aside. Little care is given to the “how” or “why” of production - it either works, or it doesn’t.
But the Christian life is totally dif- ferent. It’s not just about produc- ing godly living or good works, but about our inner motivations for why we do them.
Psalm 24:4 answers the question, who can ascend into the hill of the Lord: “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart...”
According to earthly methods, wouldn’t you think clean hands (a holy lifestyle) would be enough? After all, abstaining from outward sin would not only benefit both the community and the person, but also give a godly testimony of Christ to those watching.
But that’s not where Christian living stops. It takes clean hands and a pure heart, and not one without the other.
God cares about our hearts - what we are thinking, what our motives are, why we are striving to have clean hands. (continued on page 12)
Meditations and Motivations
Bethany X. is seventeen years old and lives in the state of Florida as a daughter and a
sister of two brothers. She enjoys reading, writing, singing, working on craft projects, play- ing piano and violin, rearranging hymns, memorizing Scripture, and editing Maidens of the Master.


eight ideas for keeping our thoughts on Him
Focus on Jesus
Imagine a beautiful afternoon in early June, perfect for a wed- ding day. The deep blue sky overhead is clear and cool, painted with huge, billowing white clouds.
We see line after line of white chairs on the lush green lawn. Flowers in rosy hues of peach and white seem to be every- where you look – sprinkled over the trellis at the end of the aisle, in a vase by the guest book, lin- ing the backs of some of the chairs.
Anticipation oods the atmo- sphere as guests begin arriving for the celebration. Upstairs, we nd the bride making her way to the mirror in the corner of the room. Her mother has fastened the nal button of her long gown.
Her closest friends huddle around the open doorway to catch a glimpse of the bride- to-be, letting out a little gasp
as they see her stunningly gor- geous outward beauty.
Her white dress is dripping with creamy lace and sprinkled with tiny, tasteful gems. Her soft curls are artistically arranged and her makeup is polished to every detail.
If we were broken, what would spill out?
Her outward appearance spells everything beautiful to this world, but when she opens her mouth, a ood of lthy words comes out.
And suddenly she doesn’t seem quite so exquisitely gorgeous
as her words began to destroy the sweet atmosphere.
As a friend shared a story very similar to this one of an out- wardly beautiful bride who was stressed out and spoke com- plaining, discouraging words, it reminded me of how out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
As Jesus says in Matthew 12:34- 35: “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abun- dance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil trea- sure bringeth forth evil things.”
This bride’s outward appear- ance looked beautiful, but her inside proved to be pretty ugly. If we were broken, what would spill out?
Thoughts may seem so small
Elizabeth A. is an eighteen-year-old young lady whose days are brightened by spending time with kiddos, adventuring with her family, photographing photo sessions, making new recipes, learning Spanish, and reading the truth of God’s Word. She is so thankful for her beautiful, matchless Savior! She would love to hear from you at www.joyfuljewels4jesus.blogspot.com.


and yet they have the potential to greatly in uence our words, actions, attitudes, lifestyles, de- cisions, lives. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
How often do we allow little seeds of discontentment, frus- tration, or complaints to seep into our mind? We may brush aside the idea of guarding our thoughts with an excuse of be- ing busy with even a ministry or good thing. But before we know it, these seeds may grow large.
It’s hard to guard our thoughts, yes. It’s impossible with our own strength. But we can pray to the Lord for Him to help and to transform us. He is gracious, able, and ready to give wisdom!
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)
In this article, I’d like to share eight ideas for keeping thoughts focused on Jesus. I de nitely don’t have it all together and this is a struggle for me, so may we learn together to sow good thoughts and surrender our thought life over to Jesus!
1) Remember that God sees. Thoughts may seem like small things. It’s easy to brush aside the challenge of keeping thoughts pure before the Lord and focus on outward things,
but God sees our every motive and intention! (Yikes, talk about humbling!)
While working on a behind- the-scenes project with some friends one sunny afternoon, my mind was struggling with a desire for people to notice what we were doing. And then Colos- sians 3:23 came to mind - “And whatsoever ye do, do it heart- ily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
The next verse goes on to say, “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” It was a needed, convicting reminder as I inward- ly cried out to the Lord that He would help me do this task unto Him instead of for the approval of others.
2) Use irritations as a “mir- ror.” When an irritation comes, we can respond with critical at- titudes and frustrated thoughts, or we can use it for good by searching our own hearts and lives – is this something that I myself am doing?
Usually ipping something around causes me to realize that, wow, yes, that’s an area I need to work on, by God’s grace and strength!
“Thou hypocrite, rst cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to case out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)
It’s hard to guard our thoughts... on our own strength.
3) Weed out distractions and replace with reminders of truth. A friend once mentioned how you can’t control every thought that comes your way, but you can control how you deal with and respond to it. We can also consider ways to en- courage good, uplifting, whole- some thoughts instead of nega- tive, bad, distracting ones.
Our family recently got a chalk- board for our kitchen and I love writing a quote/verse on it ev- ery week or so. It’s amazing how many times we walk past that chalkboard as we go about the day – a reminder to focus on what matters.
Similarly, it can be helpful to post Scripture verses around the home in frequented areas (like a kitchen cabinet, bathroom mir- rors, doorframes, desk, etc.) to encourage good thoughts.
Purposefully getting rid of things that breed bad thoughts is also really helpful in pursuing purity. It may be a movie, picture, blog follow, close friendship, song – we can ask the Lord for what He
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.


(continued from page 7)
desires us to let go of and then follow through.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalt- eth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into cap- tivity every thought to the obe- dience of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:5)
4) Cultivate a thankful heart. “Rejoice evermore. Pray with- out ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
It saddens me that discontent, critical thoughts have seeped into my mind at di erent times. Looking back, these inward ir- ritations were over silly little things, if I can even remember what they were at all.
Thinking of thankful things in- stead of critical thoughts has greatly encouraged me.
My dad and I were recently vis- iting some missionary friends earlier this year and one new challenge was how mostly only Spanish was being spoken in the kitchen.
Even though I’m working on Spanish, I’m far from being u- ent and was struggling with how I just wanted to under- stand what the discussion was about and TALK with these dear people!
It was challenging, but I soon realized that this was actually an answer to prayer – I had de- sired to have more opportuni- ties to speak Spanish and here it was, just maybe not in the way I expected! Looking at this situ- ation with thankfulness instead of frustration changed my atti- tude to a much more joyful one.
Gratitude really does change perspective and there is always something to be thankful for. A friend mentioned, “If you need something to be thankful for, check your pulse! The Lord has blessed you with life!”
Thankfulness journals can also be a fun, refreshing way to record gifts from the Lord. A sister-in-Christ crafted me a darling 2015 thankfulness scrapbook and it has been a great way to remember even in the midst of challenges that He is so faithful, so giving, so good!
5) Check thoughts with Phi- lippians 4:8-9. I’ve had several people encourage me to look at these verses when you’re trying to decide if a thought is good to think about:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoev- er things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things.
“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
We can ask, “Is this thought true? Is it honest? Just? Pure? Lovely? Of good report? Is there any virtue or praise?” If so, then, yes, think on these things!
6) Fill our minds with the truth and promises of God’s Word. Psalm 119:9 & 11 says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by tak- ing heed thereto according to thy word. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. ”
The world’s lies are constantly attacking us and we can build up a defense of God’s Word in our minds so that when a lie comes, we can be reminded of truth.
A sister-in-Christ recently shared at a conference about thoughts and she suggested writing down lies and then the promise/truth that contradicts it.
A lie might be “You are alone.” But Hebrews 13:5 says: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave
..The end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart...


thee, nor forsake thee.” I’d like to memorize more of these truth- lled promises so they are quickly accessible in my mind when a lie comes.
Our family has participated in the Bible Bee these past few years and one of the blessings of it has been to have God’s Word almost constantly owing through your mind. (Or hearing it as a brother studies his vers- es in another room!)
Here are a couple practi- cal ideas for having remind- ers of the truth of God’s Word throughout your day: Play an audio recording of God’s Word as you’re going to sleep, wak- ing up, tidying a room, cooking, driving, etc.
My brother has read and re- corded a bunch of chapters on my mom’s phone that she loves listening to on walks. There are also audio Bible CDs and Bible- Gateway.com has a free listen- ing option.
Think of critical areas to pur- posefully put reminders – setting your computer wallpaper to a verse like Philippians 4:8 or Prov- erbs 4:23; put your Bible right by your bed so you see it when you wake up; tape a verse to the doorframe as you leave your house – the ideas are endless.
When a dis- traction aris- es, you can have a prayer target.
7) Think of key times when thoughts are especially a struggle. For me, it’s usually when I’m try- ing to fall asleep and there seems to be nothing to do but hash through ideas, concerns, or chal- lenges.
A handful of ideas: play a re- cording of Scripture as you’re going to sleep, pray for mis- sionaries/your church family/ extended family (I usually even- tually fall asleep after praying for everyone!), think of thank- ful things from that day, review verses you’ve memorized.
Focusing during this time is def- initely still a struggle for me. It’s a good reminder to remember how I don’t regret any of the times that I have used this op- portunity more intentionally!
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night...It is a good thing to give thanks unto
the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: To show forth thy lovingkind- ness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.” (Psalm 1:2, 92:1-2, 119:55)
8) Have a “prayer target.” Several sisters-in-Christ have shared this idea with me – when a distraction arises, you can have a prayer target (a mis- sionary family, unsaved family member, etc) that you can pray for. This can turn a potential dis- traction into something good!
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:17)
Each day we are faced with so many choices of what we’ll ll our mind with and what thoughts we’ll think. May we re- member the Lord and His pu- rity, grace, truth, faithfulness – and pray that He will transform our mind with truth!
“Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you.” (1 Sam- uel 12:24)
...and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.


With Thoughts of the Carpenter
Sometimes, the sancti cation of my thought-life feels like working with splinters.
The process of wanting to grow more like Jesus in how I think can seem like scraping out pro- truding thought-bits; wearing down squares of sandpaper and mental grit to remove what faults block my head.
It appears as a woodcarving project, where what is unnec- essary is simply cut away. And yet often, this leaves me turning back to peer at the knotholes left of the things knocked out.
When my concentration is xed solely on what thinking I will not dwell in, rather than nding re- pair, I might come again to play with what is empty.
Looking again through the hol- lows from weeded-out thoughts follows from where focus falls. I tend to scribble myself o as
the workshop’s gurehead; and in wanting to be stern over what currents my thoughts take, it’s simple to look down the mast at what’s been carved out, rather than forward at the Master.
Perhaps sliver- ecked hands come from revisiting the saw- dust of thinking I’ve tried to clear out, while missing the Maker in the process. While trying to whittle my thoughts alone, I have so often been frustrated at my inability to stand straight in the prow.
Yet, I am not the excellent work- man. Jesus, the One preemi- nent in all things, is; and His is the mind that we put on (Colos- sians 1:18, 1Corinthians 2:16). Far from discouraging us in the fray for tempered thinking, this is cause for joy!
In Christ, the grain of my thoughts can nd their taproot in the Gospel. If we serve the
God who takes us out of burlap for His raiment, our decay for His vigor, our insu ciency for His Son’s righteousness—then we can trust that our Father is not a God with cheapened pro- visions.
We have the
privilege to
dwell on His
nature!
Every good and perfect gift is derived of Him who extends to us every spiritual blessing in Christ. His supply of grace will not fail to sustain minds that were formed to love Him rst (James 1:17, Ephesians 1:3-6, Matthew 22:37).
Kaitlin R. is a twenty year-old homeschool graduate from Orange Grove, Texas. When not scurrying after lost
pens and page numbers, she can likely be tracked by a trail of co ee splatters; her other pastimes include scrib-
bling, photography, and puzzling out just how it is her younger siblings keep getting taller. Kaitlin serves and celebrates that Best-of-News with family at The Grove First Baptist, and is currently studying journalism and
philosophy at Texas A&M University Kingsville.


If ever our measurements are o , we are not forever relegat- ed to choking amid the saw- dust. Thinker, our direction is in One who abolished the charge of wrong charting, and claimed our leavings for us!
Our Father has taken our dead- ness—and even more, traded for us the righteousness of His Son. He goes further than stripping the nish and clearing the table; He spreads the linen and sets the feast.
We in Jesus have been prepared not to dwell on what chips we
brush o our foreheads and onto our shoulders, however jagged they might be. Instead, we are bid to focus on all in keeping with truth and right- ness, cleanness and loveliness. These watering grounds for our minds are not sourced in acre- age of personal supply, but His.
The development of my mind mir- roring Jesus’ is not casked in re- viewing shavings of old-thinking that my resolve alone can’t seem to saw away, but in placing my mind on the upward things that show Him glorious (Colossians 3:1-2, Philippians 4:8).
For students of the Carpenter, we have the privilege to dwell on His nature—and to re ect that. It’s more than varnish. This is the restoration of what the piece was made for, and the permission and grace to enjoy Him and grow like Him.
There will, I know, be run-ins with splinters still. But there is provision in the One who more than salvaging, will not leave us incomplete. His craftsmanship never is (Philippians 1:6).
Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

(continued from page 5)
ly:” (1 Peter 1:22)
It’s not enough just to love one another, but it must be done with a pure heart, fervently. And this is true with all other good works, because they all stem from love.
Why do I do the things that I do? Why do I spend time in God’s Word and prayer? Go to church? Help others? Volunteer for ser- vice? Why do I work hard on school? What’s the drive for me to develop skills? Why do I live the lifestyle I live?
How do I make decisions? What determines why I do or don’t par- ticipate in activities? Why do I treat some people differently than other people? Why do I serve God in any capacity?
Think about these things as you live your daily life. I know that this topic has really been convict- ing me lately, and I really want to serve God for His sake, and not have any other motivation.
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
If the reason we desire to have clean hands is to fit in with oth- ers around us, that’s not a pure heart. If the reason is to prove to ourselves we’re worth something, that’s not a pure heart. If the rea- son is to puff up ourselves and think we’re better than everyone else, that’s not a pure heart.
Even if our desire is to encour- age others but we crave the glory, that’s not a pure heart.
A pure heart’s motivations to have clean hands are to display loving obedience to Christ, to beautify the gospel’s testimony, to bring God glory, to encourage others, and to obtain the blessings prom- ised those who have clean hands.
Remember that the pure in heart are blessed and will see God! (Matthew 5:8) In fact, all of the beatitudes are just that - attitudes of our hearts that God blesses.
Poverty of spirit, sorrow over sin, meekness, desire for righteous- ness, mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking are all essential heart attitudes that constitute a godly Christian, inside and out!
The beauty of cultivating Christ- like attitudes and motives is that our words and deeds flow from our hearts, so if our hearts are pure and holy, so will be our ac- tions and words.
How does all of this relate to our motives? Titus 2:14 tells us that Jesus “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
We aren’t just supposed to do good works, but to be zealous for them. In fact, Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are saved in order to do good works.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
If we do good works with the wrong motivations, they are worthless.
“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervent-
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11