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Philippians 4:8

WHAT SHALL I GIVE YOU?

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We learn about healthy thinking as we study Philippians 4:8 and surrounding scripture. Our battles with worry, fear and lack of faith are partly caused by our faulty focus. Our scripture text encourages us to meditate on a list of things that are good and Godly.

The subjects of our thinking often proceed from our heart, not our head. That which is important to us is established by the delights and desires of our heart. If we can discipline our heart to love the things that God loves, we can affect the focus of our minds, and the influence of things that disturb us. The disciplining of our heart begins with a cleansing of it by Almighty God. King David knew the connection of heart and head. He prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 31:10).

The things we love must align with the things God loves. In 2 Chronicles, chapter one, is found the story of the beginning of Solomon’s reign. Solomon addressed a massive assembly. Later, that night, God spoke to him this amazing offer. “Ask! What shall I give you?” Solomon could have asked for anything, but he asked God for wisdom and knowledge. God’s response was, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked for long life – but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself … wisdom and knowledge are granted to you, and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, … (2 Chronicles 1:11-12).

Are you overwhelmed with fear and worry? What is in your heart? What are your hearts desires? Do you delight in things that are temporary and unable to satisfy or is your delight in the Lord? If God appeared to you tonight and asked, “What shall I give you?”, what would your answer be? Your honest answer will reveal the focus of your heart.

MERRIER MINDS

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The purpose of this blog is to help us think about and meditate on things that are spiritually refreshing and healthy for heart, mind, and soul. Our minds become so full of trash and harmful things that we are weighed down and spiritually sluggish. Our hearts become so troubled by worry and fear that we are robbed of peace and joy. We suffer at the soul level when our daily diet does not include a generous proportion of healthy thoughts.

I have found Philippians 4:8 to be a guide for time spent on things that uplift and realign our perspective on life. The instruction is this: “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.”

There is a discipline suggested here. Instead of allowing our minds and hearts to feed continually on garbage, we can train ourselves to enjoy a different diet. When we study and meditate on the things of Philippians 4:8, our minds and hearts begin to recognize these things as we go through our day. We even begin to look for them. “Look! What a noble thing that is.” Or, “There is a virtue rarely observed.”

Our hearts may be hardier and minds merrier if we train ourselves to find things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Imagine how much healthier we would be if we grew to enjoy and appreciate holy and heavenly streams of thought. Bible study, worship services, and Christian fellowship can become a greater delight when we have cultivated a better sense of taste.

So, that is the purpose of this blog; to provide weekly attention to “these things.” If you like it please post it on your Facebook. Thank you.