Philippians 4:8 “”Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Over the last year, what are some things that stick out in your memory that really brought you great joy or were pleasant experiences? For many people it is a fun road trip, a day at the park, special moments with friends or family. Looking back at our memories it is always preferable to remember the good times rather than the bad or unpleasant, isn’t it? Because it is those unpleasant thoughts that tend to bring our mood down, filling our hearts with sadness and heaviness.
But the Lord wants us to be filled with joy. Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and God wants us to be filled with peace and joy.
Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”
Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Many of the key words that Paul used in the verse at the top of the page all kind of tie in with each other. Whatever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy, Paul wanted the church to think on these kinds of things.
A person can fill their mind up with all sorts of information, but sometimes those those thoughts may be things that they shouldn’t be thinking about. Sinful, evil things.
The life of a Spirit filled believer should be centered around one thing, and one thing only. The word of God. If a person’s life was a building the word of God should be the foundation, the thing which everything else rests upon. When one is founded on God’s word, the teachings found therein will fill the mind and guide the soul.
Have you ever noticed how young children tend to repeat things that they hear? Going to school I witnessed this first hand, as not all of the children that went there used words that were not so age appropriate, or acted in a raucous, disobedient manner, often garnering a stern scolding from the teachers. But you see, those kids had been exposed to something that wasn’t very good or “wholesome,” and it filled their minds and affected the way that they acted and spoke.
Keep the things of God in your mind. It is a very good thing to read God’s word daily so that your thoughts will be always centered on Him, and commit it to your memory so that you will always remember what it teaches.
There are too many bad, negative things that a person can sit and dwell upon in their mind. Past sins or mistakes, those things need to be left in the past. Once we get forgiven for our sins, God doesn’t remember them anymore, but instead forgets those things. It is as though they never happened, like wiping off the chalkboard. They are gone.
The word of God is pure, good, and holy. When we go though our day, think about the wonders of God and His creation. Think about His love, and His mercies towards sinners. Meditate on scripture, sing some spiritual songs in your head. Anything that you can do to fill your mind with the spiritual things of God, do it. Think about God’s word, because God’s word is truth.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Think on these things. Keep your mind on Christ.
In Christ
Andrew
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Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 