Thinking Affects Everything: Lovely

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, "lovely". 

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—Lovely.

Whatever things are lovely.

Lovely: properly, worthy of personal affection; hence, dearly prized, i.e. worth the effort to have and embrace (used only in Phil 4:8).

Worth the effort to have. 

Effort: exertion of physical or mental power: something done by exertion or hard work. 

How badly do I want it? Am I wiling to work for it? If it's dearly prized, than yes! 

I was reminded of a great opportunity I had in September 2012 of being on the Pit Box during a NASCAR race at Chicagoland Speedway. Living with chronic pain, it took ALL the effort I had to attend and enjoy the day. The pain was extreme, but it was an amazing day. The experience of enjoying the NASCAR race from the Pits was worth the effort to embrace that day. 

If something is lovely, then we will go beyond our normal efforts to achieve it or get it. Think, ponder on things that are lovely. How many times to I settle and allow things that are easy to fill my heart, mind, and life. How many times do I choose the easy road, and ignore the things that are lovely—simply because it will take more work an effort? 

Think, ponder, allow to fill my thoughts—on things that are lovely. Only things that are worth the effort to have and to embrace. 

What is of worth to me? What am I wiling to work for? What is lovely? What do I  consider a prize worth having? 

Worth the effort to have—lovely. 

Thinking Affects everything - truth!

Thinking Affects everything. 

I've been studying that fact the past few weeks. Yesterday, I had a good reminder that "Thinking affects everything." is a true statement. 

If I begin the day, with a positive outlook, the day goes much better. I am better equipped to handle situations that arise. 

If I begin the day, with a negative outlook, the day continues to be overwhelming, nothing goes right, and when situations arise, I handle them the wrong way, and the day ends up with a pity party with me feeling miserable. 

Thinking affects everything. 

There are some things that are out of my control. However, I can control my thoughts—and those control my attitude. 

So, what kind of day do I want to have:

1. A positive and enjoyable day.

2. One filled with resentment, frustration, and overall misery. 

I can't control the circumstances, but I can control my thoughts, attitudes, and actions. And if I find myself in the need of an attitude adjustment—the quickest way it to refocus on God's Word and truth, either by reading the Bible, or listening to music (filled with truth). 

Thinking affects everything. 

I will choose to think on......

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

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! 

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? 

Thinking Affects Everything: Just 1

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. 

Just: upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God; that which regard for duty demands, what is right; observing divine and human laws; one who is such as he ought to be

Just. Right. And this is not what I think is right, or what you think is right. This is based upon what God calls right. 

I really like the phrase, "one who is such as he ought to be". 

Who lived "as they ought to be"? Who did God call "just"? 

How awesome it would be is God could call me "just"?! Sadly, I fall very short, and am so grateful for God's grace and mercy. But what an awesome goal to have—"one who is such as he ought to be".

I'm looking forward to studying "things that are just" and examining the lives of the individuals God called "just". 

Meditating today on how I can be "one who is such as he ought to be".

Thinking Affects Everything: Noble 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, "noble". 

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—Noble.

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.  Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:10-15

Noble: attractively good; good that inspires (motivates) others to embrace what is lovely (beautiful, praiseworthy); i.e. well done so as to be winsome (appealing). (http://biblehub.com/interlinear/luke/8-15.htm)

Good: inherently (intrinsically) good; as to the believer, describes what originates from God and is empowered by Him in their life, through faith; upright honorable. (http://biblehub.com/interlinear/luke/8-15.htm)

Thinking pondering on things that are true and noble, will open my heart to hearing and obeying God's word resulting in godly conduct—both in attitude and actions. 

Thinking affect everything—so how will I respond? 

Thinking Affects Everything: Noble

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, "noble". 

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—Noble.

Noble: regard with great respect; revered for character, personally esteem; to hold something (someone) in high respect; showing the reverenceor awe (veneration) of someone who is devout.

Noble: honest, honorable, modest, moral, on the up and up, reserved, trustworthy, unblemished, undefiled, upright, virtuous, worthy

As I have been thinking about what is "noble", I couldn't help but think of people I respect. That led me to thinking of who are considered "heroes" in our World today. Who do we, as a Nation, hold in high regard? 

Sadly, all to often the people we honor are not noble, or worthy of our respect and admiration.  What makes one or something worthy to be called "noble"? Remember, we are not to be setting the standards for what is honorable, noble. Rather, we are to be using God's standard. 

Noble. If I am to be thinking on, pondering things that are noble, then I must stop to really consider what nobility is—not defined by the world's standard, but God's. 

Great respect. Revered for character. 

Who do I respect? Who is revered for character? 

As I think about those two questions, I have to keep in mind the first item in Philippians 4:8—True. For one isn't noble, without truth. 

Noble. Honorable. Trustworthy. 

As I thought about Noble, Jonathan came to mind. You can read about Jonathan, Saul's son, who befriended David in 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. 

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 1 Samuel 18:3

Noble. Honorable. Trustworthy. Who/what am I thinking about? 

And am I living a noble, honorable, trustworthy life? Thinking about it, should then change my thoughts, my attitude, and my actions. 

Thinking affect everything—so how will I respond? 

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.