Friday, September 9, 2016

Thinking Affects Everything: Pure

Continuing my study on Philippians 4:8. 

I wonder if I focus on just one aspect of Philippians 4:8 until it becomes habit, how would it effect my life? And what impact would it have if I focused on the entire list? But one at a time for right now. Here are some thoughts on, "pure". 
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
Meditate. Think on. Ponder.
Take an Inventory. 
Whatever things are—Pure.

Whatever things are pure.

Pure: pure from every fault, immaculate. From the word meaning, "likeness of nature with the Lord because different from the world.

Likeness because different. 
Whatever things are pure. The test for pureness is not what I think to be ok, or without fault. Rather, the test is what God says is ok. 
Just because the world accepts something does not make it right, let alone pure. There are standards and a nature-order that God created. Just because someone has decided to change that, because of how they 'feel', does not make it right.

Likeness because different. 
Pure things are those things with are in accordance with God, His character, and His standards and laws. Think on things that are pure—pure from every fault. 

That makes me think of TV shows I watch. I can rationalize why I watch a show. It has a good story line, it makes me laugh, it's something to do. But is it pure from every fault? It it in the likeness of nature of the Lord? If not, then why am I spending my time watch and thinking about it? Good question. 

Whatever things are pure. 
Thinking effects everything. If I want to live a life that is pleasing to God, then I have a responsibility to think on things that are pure. 
If that means, turning off the TV, then I need to do it. If that means changing the radio station, then I need to do it. If that means.......... the key is to make sure that I'm allowing into my mind are things that I want to think about later. 

"You are being too harsh. You need to have fun. You need to lighten up, it's just a TV show." 
Exactly. 
Those are statements which we say to ourselves and others, to justify why we do something which we know is not always the best. 

Whatever things are pure. 
Thinking affects everything. And if I want to be thinking godly and acting in accordance with God and His Word, then I must work on making sure what I allow in my mind, to be God-pure. 
Thinking affects everything—and it begins with what I allow into my mind. 

Whatever things are pure. God-pure! 

Monday, September 5, 2016

Thinking Affects Everything: Just 2

Continuing my study on Philippians 4:8. 


I wonder if I focus on just one aspect of Philippians 4:8 until it becomes habit, how would it effect my life? And what impact would it have if I focused on the entire list? But one at a time for right now. Here are some thoughts on, "just". 
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

Meditate. Think on. Ponder.
Take an Inventory. 
Whatever things are—Just.

Whatever things are just. 

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8

Require: ask for, demand, to follow for pursuit 

But to do justly. 
Accomplish the attribute of justice, right, rectitude. 

To love mercy. 
 Mercy: kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable)

To walk humbly with your God. 
Walk: associate, be familiar with
With: of the relation in which one stands with

The Lord God demands that I pursue and accomplish the attribute of being right, just (in the eyes of God), I am to be kind, and have a relationship with God (that means that I want to spend time with Him and get to know Him and in doing so, that will impact my life). 

Thinking affects everything. Whatever things ......... what am I thinking about?