Scripture:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, 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.” (Philippians 4:8)
Every day I drive to and from work on one of the many freeways that we have here in California. Sometimes things move along comfortably on the freeway but most times I just sit behind the car in front of me and crawl along. During those times I find my mind wandering on just about anything. Sometimes I think about a meeting I am going to have that morning, other times I am thinking (or worrying) about things at home, and still other times I find myself just reading billboards along the way, but in all cases, it is usually very easy to just let my mind “veg” while I am driving in traffic on the freeway.
It is at those times that it seems I need to work extra hard at “managing” what I think. What do I mean? Well, everyday we are so bombarded with all kinds of media that is targeted at motivating us to do something or buy something or go someplace or be something, that it next to impossible to not be effected by it. I heard once that the majority of what we learn enters the eye and it follows that what enters our eyes contributes to what we think about and what we think about contributes to who we are.
I really want to be a good person. I think all of us do. And I want God to be pleased with what I do, who I am, and how I think. The law penalizes us for things we do wrong, but Jesus told us that “anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery” and “anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5)
These are hard words. It is certainly not an easy task to control every thought that goes on in our minds. However, I think that we can contribute positively to what we become as good people and please God with a life that glorifies him. If we make a conscious effort to incorporate into our thought lives, and establish a habit of doing what the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians to think about true, honorable, just, pure, love, good, virtuous and praise worthy things.
Prayer Request:
For all of us to be pro-active in thinking about good and positive things so that God can work in our lives to make us the good people He wants us to be.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,Help us to think about the good things you do for us and not about those things that harm us or others. Glorify yourself in our lives by helping us to be what you want us to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen
