Where Is Your Head At?
Scripture:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. - Philippians 4:8
Reflect:
What is the value of following Paul’s advice and focusing on “these things?”
I don’t know about you but what I am thinking about has a significant impact on me and the people around me. For example, if I’m thinking about how much I have to do and how little time I have to do it, I am more likely to snap at my kids for interrupting me. If I am hyper-focused on all of the what-if’s, I am likely to feel anxious. If I am focused on everything that I don’t have, I am likely to feel discontent. If I focus on the flaws of the people around me, I am less likely to love and appreciate them.
The same principle applies to sin. In Luke 6:45, Jesus said “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Basically, what is in our hearts eventually spills over into our actions. So how do we get good into our hearts?
In today’s verse, Paul gives us the answer and it’s really quite simple. If we want good to come out of us, we have to put good things into us. We can positively influence our actions by safeguarding what we put into our hearts and minds.
First, we should immerse ourselves in the truth. Jesus told us in John 17:17 that God’s Word is truth! If we want truth to come out of us, we need to spend more time soaking in the truth of His Word and less time soaking up the lies of this world.
Then, Paul said to think about things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praise-worthy. Would you consider the last show you watched to be “pure?” Would the lyrics of the music you listen to be considered “praise-worthy?” Are the images you take in “lovely?” Is the content of the books you read “commendable?” If the answer is no or usually no, are the messages you are surrounding yourself with bringing you peace or anxiety? Do they have the potential to positively impact your spiritual life or negatively impact it? Is what you are taking in appealing to your sin nature or your new nature in Jesus Christ?
Where is your head at? Are you concentrating on commendable things? Are you focusing on His holiness? Are you taking in messages that are true and lovely? How are you storing up good treasure in your heart so that goodness can overflow? We tend to do what we think. So set your minds on “these things” and “these things” will overflow into your life.
Pray:
Jesus, You are the only One who is truly honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Help me to set my mind on things that glorify You and conform me into Your image. I know that what I put into my head and my heart eventually overflows into my actions. I want my thoughts and my life to glorify You. Amen.
- Nat Crawford (Provided by "Back To The Bible")
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. - Philippians 4:8
Reflect:
What is the value of following Paul’s advice and focusing on “these things?”
I don’t know about you but what I am thinking about has a significant impact on me and the people around me. For example, if I’m thinking about how much I have to do and how little time I have to do it, I am more likely to snap at my kids for interrupting me. If I am hyper-focused on all of the what-if’s, I am likely to feel anxious. If I am focused on everything that I don’t have, I am likely to feel discontent. If I focus on the flaws of the people around me, I am less likely to love and appreciate them.
The same principle applies to sin. In Luke 6:45, Jesus said “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Basically, what is in our hearts eventually spills over into our actions. So how do we get good into our hearts?
In today’s verse, Paul gives us the answer and it’s really quite simple. If we want good to come out of us, we have to put good things into us. We can positively influence our actions by safeguarding what we put into our hearts and minds.
First, we should immerse ourselves in the truth. Jesus told us in John 17:17 that God’s Word is truth! If we want truth to come out of us, we need to spend more time soaking in the truth of His Word and less time soaking up the lies of this world.
Then, Paul said to think about things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praise-worthy. Would you consider the last show you watched to be “pure?” Would the lyrics of the music you listen to be considered “praise-worthy?” Are the images you take in “lovely?” Is the content of the books you read “commendable?” If the answer is no or usually no, are the messages you are surrounding yourself with bringing you peace or anxiety? Do they have the potential to positively impact your spiritual life or negatively impact it? Is what you are taking in appealing to your sin nature or your new nature in Jesus Christ?
Where is your head at? Are you concentrating on commendable things? Are you focusing on His holiness? Are you taking in messages that are true and lovely? How are you storing up good treasure in your heart so that goodness can overflow? We tend to do what we think. So set your minds on “these things” and “these things” will overflow into your life.
Pray:
Jesus, You are the only One who is truly honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Help me to set my mind on things that glorify You and conform me into Your image. I know that what I put into my head and my heart eventually overflows into my actions. I want my thoughts and my life to glorify You. Amen.
- Nat Crawford (Provided by "Back To The Bible")
Jesus Wants You To Know...
"Learn to live from a place of resting in Me. Since I - the Prince of Peace - am both with and within you, you can choose to live from this peaceful place of union with Me. This enables you to stay calm in the midst of stressful situations, by re-centering yourself in Me. We can deal with your problems together - you and I - so there is no need to panic. However, the more difficult your circumstances, the more tempting it is for you to shift into high gear and forget My peaceful Presence."
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."
- Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV)
- "Jesus Today" by Sarah Young
Gazing At The Beauty Of God
One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
Psalm 27:4
I chased a sunrise the other day.
It was a clear morning, the first in many days, and I knew God was about to put on a good show. Not wanting to miss a minute of it, I laced up my shoes and headed out the door.
With my eyes on the sky, I briskly wound my way through the streets that I knew would take me to the place holding the best first glimpses of the morning light. I’d seen the sun ascend there many times before, but for some reason, the desire to witness it that morning was particularly intense.
Finally arriving at the perfect place, I stopped and simply stared at the rising sphere of light slowly coloring the sky. I took a few pictures and blessed God for the beauty of a new morning.
And that was it.
I don’t exactly know what I was expecting, but no profound thoughts flooded my mind. No epiphanies dawned on me. No voices from within whispered any words.
Yet as I continued my walk, my heart felt full. Alive. Curiously, the simple act of staring at the beautiful sunrise was enough, and it satisfied my soul.
I wonder if this is what David had in mind when he wrote of his greatest desire in Psalm 27:4: (CSB) “to dwell in the house of the LORD … gazing on the beauty of the LORD.”
It seems David experienced soul satisfaction in the simple act of staring at the Lord’s beauty and splendor. But too often, when I “gaze at God” in my quiet time, I’m only looking for thoughts to jot down, Bible verses to highlight, or answers to settle my questions. When this is the case, my soul can lack freshness and life.
When I slow down and sometimes set the pen aside to gaze at the beauty of God like I would a glorious sunrise, catching by faith’s eye the colorful display of His splendor, I am transformed. My soul fills, comes to life, and finds joy.
Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “In [God’s] presence is abundant joy” (CSB).
This makes me think there are times when our souls don’t need more information, documentation, or memorization. Maybe they just need more admiration. Admiration of the One whose magnificence and majesty alone is enough to satisfy our souls.
Is your soul feeling empty or running low on joy today? Take some time to pause. Sit and stare at the radiant beauties of the Lord, and allow Him - all of who He is - to freshen and fill your soul.
Father, I confess how often I allow the things of earth to steal my gaze. Thank You for faithfully drawing me back to You to behold Your beauty. You truly are the only wonder that satisfies and fills my soul. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- Michelle Snippe
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"
Spiritual Famine
“Behold, the days are
coming,” says the Lord God,
“That I will send a
famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the
words of the Lord.
Amos 8:11
The people had
no appetite for God's word when prophets like Amos brought it. Because of their
apathy, God said he would take away even the opportunity to hear his word. We
have God's Word, the Bible. But many still look everywhere for answers to
life's problems except in Scripture. You can help them by directing them to the
Bible, showing them the parts that speak to their special needs and questions.
God's Word is available to us. Let us help people know it before a time comes
when they cannot find it.
One way God
communicates is through silence. The Israelites blatantly ignored and rejected
God's Word to them, and God responded by sending a famine. This famine was far
more severe than a shortage of food and water. Instead, they were deprived of
His words of life.
God's silence
may be hardly noticeable at first. You may still remember times when God spoke
to you, but you gradually realize you've not heard His voice for a long time.
If you realize you are in a “drought,” immediately seek God and ask Him what
adjustments your life requires so you can once again enjoy fellowship with Him.
It may be that you disobeyed His last instructions to you and that He is
waiting on your obedience before giving you a new direction. It may be that
there is unconfessed sin in your life or that you have a damaged relationship
(Isaiah 1:15;1 Peter 3:7). It is possible that you have done too much talking
in your prayer times and that He wants you to listen. God's silences can be
powerful times for Him to communicate with you.
God is God!
Because He is God, when He speaks, He expects a listening ear and an eager
response. He will not be mocked! (Galatians 6:7). When we ignore Him, He may
withhold His voice until we repent and get right with Him. The prophet Isaiah
assured King Asa, “The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek
Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”
- Excerpt from
“Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby