It seems clear to us that the way we think determines what we do. For instance, if we think the world owes us a living, we will tend to act lazily and to complain when others do not do what we want them to. But here Scripture exhorts us to dedicate our works to the Lord, and our thoughts will be established. This seems to us to be counter intuitive.
This can mean at least two different things. First, it may mean that if we dedicate all we do to the Lord, He will be pleased to bless our efforts. This of course involves more than a token acknowledgment of God’s lordship right before you negotiate an important deal or when you promise to give God the glory immediately before you make a large investment. God is not a good luck charm that brings blessing to our efforts if we promise to give Him the glory for them!
But this truth may also apply to the way we establish our thoughts. It is often through our actions. It is one thing to acknowledge in our heads that it is important to spend time with God each morning. It is quite another to actually do it. Most of us would admit the importance of holy living, fewer make a regular practice of it. Our thoughts do not always match our behavior. But when we discipline ourselves to do the right things, it affects our thoughts. We might have many different ideas floating through our minds, but those that come to pass are the ones we have committed ourselves to act upon. That is why it is one thing for you to tell me what you think; it is quite another for me to observe what you do. Do you want your thoughts to become a reality? Then regularly, faithfully, consistently, do the right things.