Words Spoken

The news lately has been about a recording made several years ago. The talk was not God-honoring in anyway.

It made me stop and think...... 

First of all, if all I said throughout my lifetime was recorded and played back, would I regret any of my words? 

Secondly, I will have to stand before God and give an account of my words, actions, and thoughts as to whether or not they were pure or trash.

Words can come back to haunt you. That is why God gives us advice—Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23). A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45) NKJV

I know that over the years, I have said things that I now regret. Some were said in anger. Some were said with the wrong motive. Some were said to impress. Some were said — no matter the reason—they were not the right words.

I'm thankful for a merciful God, so graciously forgives me of my sin and continues to teach me. I must daily surrender my life - all of it - to God and in doing so, remember Philippians 4:8.

WORDS do have an impact. And so do ACTIONS. Is one worse than the other? By God's standards even our thoughts are heard by Him. So BOTH words and actions matter.

I'm thankful that all the words I have said in the past were not recorded to be played for each of you to hear. And I'm even more thankful for a forgiving God.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)

Thinking Affects Everything: True 2

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever thingsare lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there isanything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

Meditate. Think on. Ponder. Take an Inventory. 

Whatever things are—True.

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He. Deuteronomy 32:4

Truth: steadfastness, fidelity, trusty.

Things that are true are not based on a whim. Truth is an absolute. And that absolute is based on God Himself. He does not change, therefore, truth does not change. 

Think on things that are true. Not what I think is to be true based on my feelings. Not what I think to be true, simply because I want it to be true. Not what I think to be true to make it easier on me. 

Things that are true—based on God's absolute truth! 

I wonder how our Nation would change, if we stopped thinking based on our own "feeling based truth", and started thinking based on God's absolute truth. 

Think on these things..... whatever is true.....

God's 'true', not my own.

Thinking Affects Everything

Lately, I've been thinking about how things I think about, read, listen to, and focus on effect my mind;  my body–physically, mentally, emotionally; and my soul (spiritually). It also has an effect on how I treat those around me. 

God created us, and therefore knows exactly how we are "wired". That is why He stresses the importance of filing our minds and hearts with His Word. 

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

Let's start with the first one...... 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever thingsare lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there isanything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

Meditate. Think on. Ponder. Take an Inventory. 

Whatever things are—

TRUE. 

Literally, not hidden, unconcealed; grace which can be trusted.

Think on things that are true.

That would include people that are truthful. 

That would include TV shows that are not based on lies or promote lying. 

That would include not retweeting, or liking, or sharing, or adding an emoji to a post on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, instagram, etc.

That would include the music I listen — in private and public. 

True. 

Ponder. Meditate. Take an Inventory.