Spiritual Digest for the Day 01Sep2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Human knowledge without divine life is deadly. True wisdom comes as a result of walking in the fear of God. - R. Stanley ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to walk in the fear of God this new month.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 30Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5:17 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Even though we are redeemed and will one day reign with Christ, we experience the daily struggle between obedience and disobedience. - Dennis Fisher ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to be able to obey You in the daily struggle between obedience and disobedience in me.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 29Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today. - Benjamin Franklin ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, not leave what I suppose to do now till another time.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:13-14 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We can escape the lure of temptation by talking to God about the things that tempt us. - Linda Washington ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not yield to temptation, but always talk to God about things that are luring you into it.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY People are taking many yokes today. No one is exempted. What kind of or whose yoke are you taking? Are you yoked with people, belief, value, or situation that are heavier than you? Yield to the advice of Jesus Christ. Take His yoke. Commit yourself to Him. His yoke is easy and light. Learn from Him and find rest for your soul. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to commit yourself to Jesus Christ by taking His yoke and learning from Him.

TAKE HIS YOKE!

Dearly Beloved, TAKE HIS YOKE! “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV). A Bible commentator defined a yoke as “a bar or frame of wood by which two draft animals, especially oxen, are joined at the necks or heads for working together, for drawing a load or pulling a plow.” It is a primitive tool used mostly by farmers. It takes two animals for a yoke to be effective. No animal can work effectively without a yoke.  A yoke has been used figuratively to mean many other things. Mostly, people have been using it to mean suffering or affliction. Therefore, to hear anything like taking or having a yoke connotes a bad feeling. In fact, a yoke speaks some hardship. However, Jesus Christ enjoins us to take His yoke! (Matthew 11:29-30). What is His yoke? What does it mean to take it?  To take the yoke of Jesus Christ upon us means to put ourselves into the relation of servants and subjects to Him. It means to conduct ourselves accordingly, in a careful obedience to all His commands, and a cheerful submission to all His disposals. It is to yield ourselves totally to Him. He has appointed this yoke. He has Himself drawn in it before us, for He learned obedience. He wants anyone that will take His yoke to also learn some characters from Him. These characters include humility, gentility, diligence, submission, patience and other Christ-like attributes. In spite of its seeming hardship, the yoke of Jesus Christ is easier and lighter than any other yoke. No wonder, anyone who takes it finds rest in Him. People are taking many yokes today. No one is exempted. What kind of or whose yoke are you taking? Are you yoked with people, belief, value, or situation that are heavier than you? Yield to the advice of Jesus Christ. Take His yoke. Commit yourself to Him. His yoke is easy and light. Learn from Him and find rest for your soul. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to commit yourself to Jesus Christ by taking His yoke and learning from Him.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us. If He did not close the wrong door, we would never find the right door. - Author Unknown ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to see God working in any situation you find yourself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY No matter what our personal situation is, we still have God-given gifts and talents, experience, and encouragement that we can share with others. - Author Unknown ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to share your God-given gifts and talents, experience, and encouragement with others as if you are sharing them with God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing.... And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 8:3-5 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The more you practice giving, the more ways you will find out to give of yourself. - Adelokoji Ijaola ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the enablement to first fully give yourself to God before giving Him and others your substance.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Know that the greatest fear is fear of the unknown. Seek to meet the unknown with courage and a sense of adventure. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the courage to face and conquer your fear.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Each day we need to be still and listen to the Lord. - David C. McCasland ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to always create time to be still and listen to God everyday.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Our surprising God often shows His presence when we least expect Him. - Tim Gustafson ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that God will surprisingly show His present help in your time of trouble.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “‘If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword’; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 1:19-20 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is not a capricious God who does things without a reason. You are the major determinant of what He will do with you. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be obedient to God and do His will so that He will do well with you and make good use of you.

THE CLAY AND THE POTTER

Dearly Beloved, THE CLAY AND THE POTTER “[Thus says the Lord:] “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.... Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand.... Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good” (Jeremiah 18:2, 6, 11 NKJV). The Bible passage, Jeremiah 18:1-11, that recounts the incident at the potter’s house as an illustration of how God deals with His creatures has been used widely in many sermons and songs/hymns. In most of these sermons and songs, the emphasis has always been on asking God to form people in the ways He wants. However, the point that God wanted to bring out in leading Prophet Jeremiah to that potter’s house to see what the potter was doing with the clay is more or less clay-centred rather than potter-centred. That is, the outcome of what the clay becomes at the wheel will determine what the potter will make out of the clay. If the clay comes out fine at the wheel, the potter is happy with it, but if the clay is marred at the wheel, the potter will make it again into another vessel. So, what the clay becomes depends on the clay, not necessarily on the potter. The application of that incident at the potter’s house as God later pointed it out to Jeremiah supports this proposition. While God can make anything out of people, it is the state of the people that will determine what they will become in God’s hands. If the people are obedient to God, He would be good to them, but if they were disobedient, even after warnings, He would relent to be good to them, and form them the ways they deserve (compare Deuteronomy 28, 30:15-16; Isaiah 1:19-20; 3:10-11). This is in line with the law of sowing and reaping as explained explicitly in the Bible (see Psalm 126:5-6; Proverbs 11:18-19; 22:8; 28:20; Ecclesiastes 11:1; Luke 6:38; John 12:24-25; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Galatians 6:7-10; Philippians 4:14-19; Colossians 3:23-24). As clay in God’s hands, how do you want Him to shape you? This depends on you. If you want to be a useful and honourable vessel in His hands, then, you need to be obedient by cleansing yourself from all sinful acts and sanctifying yourself for His good use (see 2 Timothy 2:20-22; Romans 12:1-2). God is not a capricious God who does things without a reason. You are the major determinant of what He will do with you. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be obedient to God and do His will so that He will do well with you and make good use of you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 100:3 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God made each of us all by Himself. He thought of us and formed us out of His unspeakable love. - David H. Roper ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Appreciate God for making you specifically to be YOU!

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength. - C. H. Spurgeon ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not let anxiety deprive you of your joy of today.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[The Lord] shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler” (Psalm 91:4 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When fear causes hope to fade, flee to God, the refuge you can reach on your knees. - Linda Washington ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to take refuge in God whatever the situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:12 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Be thankful for what you have; you will end up having more. If you concentrate on what you do not have, you will never, ever have enough. - Oprah Winfrey ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to concentrate on what you have and be thankful for it.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls — Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills” (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When we are faced with difficult circumstances we have only to place our faith and trust in God. He is with us in everything we face. - Karen Wolfe ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to put your trust in God in spite of your situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:13b-14 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Sometimes we think God is not faithful because it appears He has not fulfilled a desire that we have. However, He is more concerned about accomplishing His ultimate purpose in the life of every believer than giving us the desires of our heart. - Os Hillman ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for His faithfulness over your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 13Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:7-9 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY No man can deceive God! You will reap what you show. If you want to die the death of the righteous and have the end of the righteous, you have to work towards it by living a righteous life towards God and other human being. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to live a life of righteousness so as to be able to die the death of the righteous.

LIVE A LIFE OF THE RIGHTEOUS

Dearly Beloved, LIVE A LIFE OF THE RIGHTEOUS “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his!” (Numbers 23:10b NKJV). The above quoted statement is commonly quoted when referring to a dead righteous person and consequently as a prayer for the living. It was the wish of a prophet in the Bible as he was prophesying against/for the people of Israel. However, the prophet, Balaam, that made the statement, interestingly, did not live and die a righteous man. He was son of Boer from Mesopotamia. He was a wicked prophet/diviner/soothsayer endowed with the gift of prophecy (Numbers 22:5-6). He was not a false prophet because he did hear from God, and God did give him some true prophecies to speak. Conversely, Balaam’s heart was not right with God because he specialized in cursing people. He was summoned to curse the people of Israel, and he tried to do so on three different occasions despite the fact that he knew that God did not want to curse them (see Numbers 22-24). He could not curse Israel directly, so he came up with a plan for Israel to bring a curse upon themselves as he advised Balak to lure the people of Israel to sin adultery and idolatry (see Numbers 25, Revelation 2:14). He died fighting against the people of God (Numbers 31:8). What a pity! He became infamous in Bible history (see Micah 6:5). In the New Testament, Apostle Peter described him as someone who “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15 NKJV). Jude described the apostates as people who “...have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit…” (Jude 11 NKJV). Jesus spoke about the church in Pergamos in Revelation 2:14: “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality” (NKJV). Balaam did not live a live of the righteous, and he did not die the death of the righteous as he wished. Many people like Balaam want to die the death of the righteous, and they want their end to be like the end of the righteous. However, they are not living a life of the righteous. Many of them love wages of unrighteousness like Balaam. They run greedily for profit in the error of Balaam, and they are causing other people to sin because of their nefarious deeds. How can such people die the death of the righteous, and how can their end be like the end of the righteous? It is impossible! No man can deceive God! You will reap what you show (see Galatians 6:7-9). If you want to die the death of the righteous and have the end of the righteous, you have to work towards it by living a righteous life towards God and other human beings. Start living a righteous and dedicated life now. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to live a life of righteousness so as to be able to die the death of the righteous.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The more you pray, the less you will panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You will feel more patient and less pressured. - Rick Warren ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the enablement to pray more instead of panicking or being anxious.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 11Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God’s love for us is as expansive as the open arms of Christ on the cross. - David H. Roper ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Appreciate God for His great love for you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:43-45 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Hate destroys, Love builds. Hate tears down, Love renews and creates. Hatred holds no hope for the future. Love creates Today as its own better future. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to build others by loving them just as God loves you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 09Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[Jesus Christ has] come that [you] may have life, and that [you] may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Following Jesus Christ is the only way to a rich and satisfying life. - Monica Brands ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will really accept the satisfying life that Jesus Christ brings.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 08Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “You are the salt of the earth.... You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Christians have for too long been blaming the meat (of society) for going rotten, when the preserving salt has been taken out of it, or blaming the house for getting dark when the light has been removed. It is time for us to recognise our responsibility to be salt and light in society. - Author Unknown ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be the needed salt and light to the rottenness and darkness of the world around you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY As those who have freely received God’s grace, it is our privilege and calling to demonstrate it in every situation of life. - David C. McCasland ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always demonstrate the grace that God has given you in everything you do or say.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Determine to make your little contribution even if it will be unnoticed. God knows how He rewards every good act in His own way and in own time. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will make all efforts to be in the list of those that God will reward for working for and with Him in His vineyard.

WOULD YOU BE PART OF THE LIST?

Dearly Beloved, WOULD YOU BE PART OF THE LIST? "So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart" (Nehemiah 4:6 NIV). Many books and articles have been written on the man Nehemiah who led his people to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. It is a pity that little or nothing has been said about the people that worked with him to successfully complete the rebuilding of the wall in just fifty-two days in spite of the intense opposition they faced in course of the project. Nevertheless, the chronicler of the book of Nehemiah devoted a whole chapter for the list of people that predominantly worked with Nehemiah, and the specific things that they did (see Nehemiah 3). These people were mentioned by name one after the other. Often, what most of us are doing is unnoticed, and we think that it is not significant. Some people have even withdrawn from making their little contribution to the advancement of the kingdom of God on earth and other good causes because they thought that they are not important and their contribution is not significant since it is not noticed and rewarded immediately. However, do you know that God is also taking note of what each of us is doing? Do you know that He is making a list of each of the people that contribute to the advancement of His kingdom? Paul said, "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV). Also he said in another place, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9 NIV). Would you be part of the list of people that contribute to the success of a good cause? Determine to make your little contribution even if it will be unnoticed. God knows how He rewards every good act in His own way and in own time. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will make all efforts to be in the list of those that God will reward for working for and with Him in His vineyard. NB If you are on Telegram, you are invited to join "Spiritual Digest for the Day" (https://t.me/spiritualdigest2003) where Bible verses, corresponding inspiring quotes, short prayers, hymns and other edifying messages are sent daily by Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi. God bless you!

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Good people think before they answer, but the wicked speak evil without ever thinking” (Proverbs 15:28 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. - Anonymous ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that your thinking will make you, and NOT mar you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:25-26 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY In Jesus’s suffering and death, we can see far more clearly how God patiently loves us, allowing us to experience the consequences of sin while He Himself bears in our place the ultimate judgment that all sin deserves. - Mart DeHaan ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for His love for you that He demonstrated in sending His beloved Son to die for you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised" (Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. - Michael Jordan ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will learn how to turn your stumbling blocks to stepping-stones.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Aug2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life” (Proverbs 4:23 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The state of your heart dictates whether you harbor a grudge or give grace, seek self-pity or seek Christ, drink human misery or taste God’s mercy. - Max Lucado ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be careful of your thoughts so that they will not mislead you.