Philippians 4:4-8… 4) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5) Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. (NIV)
Life has its ups and downs. You and I wrestle with life’s problems in peculiar ways at times. Our minds do strange things. If I start thinking about something often enough, I will come to the stage when I cannot stop thinking about it. My thoughts will get stuck in a groove, out of which, I just cannot seem to get unstuck. That is why it is so especially important that you and I think about such things that are right, things that will honour God and other people. Clear thinking will motivate people to like being around us. Our cheerful outlook will make them feel good.
In these verses the apostle Paul has listed several things that we should set our minds on, such as, things that are true, noble, admirable, and praiseworthy. Many things in this world of ours are misleading and not real; promising what they can never deliver, offering a false peace and happiness. We, however, should try always to set our thoughts on thing which will not let us down, because our thoughts shape our lives.
The apostle Paul is really talking about the power of positive Christian thinking. It is not enough simply to reject non-constructive thinking; you and I must learn the art of reaching for the spiritual side of life, so that we can focus on the positive. I must go a step further and retrain my mind to focus on those things that God wants me to understand. You feel the same way?
Ungodly thinking should be off limit – it leads to an impure, unrighteous lifestyle. He is asking us to embrace a new kind of thinking; that which is righteous and holy. You and I must put into practice what we believe. I know that is tough to do. When Jesus called his disciples, He called them to follow him. And the call to be a Christian is still a call to follow Christ today. things that honour God.
All of us – yes, you and I can always come to God – night or day to bring our prayers and petition to God. For sins past and present. For tomorrow’s counselling and guiding spirit. We are also encouraged to pray for those close by or far from us, those who are lodged in our memories.
What do you think? Should we be different? Would you agree it is better to have a positive Christian attitude; thinking and doing this Christian stuff, which the apostle Paul says we should do in verse eight? Or should we live like those who do not give a second thought about Christian values?
Do you know that those who work along side of us are watching us? With that thought in mind, it should motivate us to live above this world’s accepted guidelines. We must never forget that God has left us here to be a testimony to his grace.
We are here to show the world what it is like to be a Christian. Therefore, our challenge is to live our lives in such a way so people, when they see us, desire what we have. The choice is really ours. If we begin to think and do the things that God wants us to do. We will become a blessing to others, and we will find that life is filled with God’s goodness… To God Be the Glory – Great Things He Has Done…
Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I want peace, joy and happiness that fulfills my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honor Your Name. Amen”
