12 March 2023
Two-Minute Features | 19 March 2023 | 05 March 2023

Controlling What We Actually Think About (TMF:2050)

Friday, March 17, 2023
Peace to Live By: Controlling What We Actually Think About (TMF:2050) - Daniel Litton
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       The rewards system set aside, again, the best method I know of for controlling our thoughts is the Giving Up Control method, or surrendering as we might call it. This practice, though it be so simplistic, produces the maximum results for us. I would venture to say that Jesus, during his earthly ministry, really during his whole life, had to do this a lot. He, being a sin-free person, had to come across situation after situation that he had to choose not to think about. Even if it was right before him, he had to choose not to think about bad things, not to worry about anything, not to fear anything at all. Remember, he had human flesh just like we do, for it was on one occasion, namely, right before he went to the cross to die for our sins, that he said, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41, ESV).

A Rewards-Based System for Obedience, Part 2 (TMF:2049)

Thursday, March 16, 2023
Peace to Live By: A Rewards-Based System for Obedience, Part 2 (TMF:2049) - Daniel Litton
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       I can remember, as a kid, watching this final exam, and indeed, Smokey completed the course without touching a signal sausage. In fact, among the variety of dogs that were there, Smokey was the only one who was able to accomplish the mission. And why didn’t Smokey do this? How was she able to accomplish the course? Besides her sheer loyalty, I would say that it was because she knew if she did, my Mom would stop at Dairy Queen along the way home and get here a double cheeseburger and vanilla ice cream cone. Smokey knew of the grand reward in the future and that was her driving force. The rewards system set aside, again, the best method I know of for controlling our thoughts is the Giving Up Control method, or surrendering as we might call it. This practice, though it be so simplistic, produces the maximum results for us. I would venture to say that Jesus, during his earthly ministry, really during his whole life, had to do this a lot.

A Rewards-Based System for Obedience, Part 1 (TMF:2048)

Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Peace to Live By: A Rewards-Based System for Obedience, Part 1 (TMF:2048) - Daniel Litton
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       As a matter of fact, a rewards based system for obedience is actually a pretty good way to increase one’s success rate for being obedient in whatever way possible. I remember when I was growing up as a kid my Mom used to train our German Shepherd on agility. Actually, Smokey took agility classes with other dogs. The best kind of dog, they said in training, was the one who could go through the agility course without being rewarded until the end. Some dog-owners wanted to give their dogs treats at different junctions, but the most professional dog was the one who could wait to receive the treat until after completing the course. As a matter of fact, for their final exam in Smokey’s agility course, there was sausages placed throughout the course, as temptations. The goal of the dog was to finish the whole entire course without stopping to eat any of the sausages. I can remember, as a kid, watching this final exam, and indeed, Smokey completed the course without touching a signal sausage. In fact, among the variety of dogs that were there, Smokey was the only one who was able to accomplish the mission.

Textbook Answers Equaling Worthlessness (TMF:2047)

Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Peace to Live By: Textbook Answers Equaling Worthlessness (TMF:2047) - Daniel Litton
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       We can easily detect a preacher who is giving textbook answers, but they are really answers that don’t benefit much to anyone. I know, because I have done this is the past. I have given textbook answers because I thought that was what I was supposed to say. The minister though needs to say what works and aligns with practicable truth, and not just what sounds nice but really doesn’t do anyone any good. These are worthless responses, a worthless religion. It definitely is true that we don’t want to say everything that comes to our minds. Sometimes when we are talking with friends, something true comes to mind but it is something that would be much better left unstated. I think this can be an even greater temptation for women, since, let’s face it, women usually like to talk more then men. It’s just the way God designed them. If we say what we are thinking all the time, even if it’s true, we will find over time that we don’t have a lot of friends. What is said may be funny at first, but too much cutting into people isn’t good.

Bridling the Tongue to Bridle the Body (TMF:2046)

Monday, March 13, 2023
Peace to Live By: Bridling the Tongue to Bridle the Body (TMF:2046) - Daniel Litton
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       The athlete has to be able to endure the criticism, the times when people aren’t happy with their choices and performance. Like the athlete performs in front of others for all to see, so does God’s preacher. The sports player is judged with greater strictness, and so is God’s minister. Now James says, “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.” The goal of the preacher, or really anyone for that matter, is to pay careful attention to what we say. What James says here about a person being able to control their tongue and at the same time their whole body is apparent to us. A person who cannot control what they are saying to others won’t be able to control what they are doing in the rest of their actions. The preacher who chooses his or her words carefully is one whom you can count on that they are likely practicing, at least to a certain degree, what they preach. The person isn’t just saying whatever it is because it sounds nice.