Father, it has surely been a busy day – busy at home this morning and then busy at work from mid-afternoon through the evening. Thank you for being in my thoughts. Thank you for being by my side through it all. May I continue to strive each day to live a life that is pleasing in Your eyes. Amen
Philippians 4:8-9 (<<click here)
Lord, how appropriate this passage is today. Our world is so full of distractions. Sometimes they are innocent enough, but they take time that is designated for other more important things (Facebook!) Sometimes they play on our weaknesses and lure us into things that are detrimental to our relationship with You. Sometimes these things are subtle, a harmless show – then a commercial pops up and that seed is planted in our mind. Sometimes our own minds truck down the path of destruction. A brief thought pricks our mind and we dwell on it, we mull it over…and look at it…examining it from different angles. You send warning flares up and we turn our backs. Before you know it we are up to our necks in trouble. So how do we avoid this oft repeated scenario? We’re “fixing our thoughts” in the wrong direction.
Through Paul, You tell us in the passage to “fix our thoughts on what is true…admirable.” We are to “think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” What goes in is what’s going to come out. We can’t expect to put garbage in and to get purity out. A nice clean glass of pure water can be ruined with just a pinch of dirt. Help us not to soil our hearts.
Then also we are called to “fix our thoughts on” good stuff but if we don’t put it into action how are we the better for it? Just as sin can flutter thru our mind and if we reject it and don’t act upon it – we’re good. But if we play with it and act on it – we get hurt.
Just as sin impacts us this way Paul’s list can impact us, as well – or not. Good can flutter thru our mind and if we reject it and don’t act upon it – we either hurt ourselves or others by not running with what positive and encouraging things could have come out of our actions.
It is much more, “it” being our fellowship with You and the outcome of that relationship, it is much more than good thoughts. Action is a requirement. Long-term impact in our lives and in the lives of others depends on us acting on Your guidance and direction, as a result of filling our hearts and minds with what “is true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.” When we “think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” and put those things “into practice” then that’s when You, Lord, “the God of peace will be with [us].” And again it’s a “peace that passes understanding.” Thank You, Lord, for Your love and patience as we learn to follow You.
June 3rd, 2015, Wed, 7:11 am
