“Finally, brethren, …
...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8.
To think: to consider, judge or believe, to exercise the mind as in order to make a decision.
(The New Collins Dictionary and Thesaurus, 1987)
To think: to credit, reckon, regard, consider.
(The Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 2001)
THINKING! From the moment we wake, until the moment we sleep, and I’m sure some of us think while we’re asleep, our minds are always preoccupied with something. In this day and age we may have on our minds: ‘Where is my career going?’; ‘Can I pay all my bills?’, ‘Do I look good in this outfit?’; ‘Why are they looking at me like that?’; ‘Where is God taking me?’ Including all of the other questions, statements and thoughts that we have plaguing our minds at some point during the day or night.
How many of us can admit to feeling the pressure when we think one of the aforementioned topics? I know I have thought many a time about them and will honestly admit that they have, at times, got me down. However, I am assured by the message Paul wrote to the Philippians about thinking…let’s pause for thought…think on these things. Paul knew exactly what he was writing about when he wrote Philippians 4:8. In the midst of all our thinking let’s take some time to think on the things that will allow our spirit to be free and fed with the things of God. We’re in a world where it is so easy to get caught up in the mindless things that are of no benefit to God or ourselves, but when we think about God, what he wants for our lives and the things that pertain unto him, then what a tremendous weight off our minds! God loves us and he showed us his love by dying, think about that, because that’s true! I will love God and live my life that’s pleasing to him, that’s pure! Have you ever looked at the gorgeous blue sky and thought, wow, that’s lovely! God you’re so amazing to have created something so lovely! Anything that allows your soul and spirit to be free from the cares of this world, then think on these things. As we walk through the hustle and bustle of this life, mediate on the things that Paul encourages us to, it can only be of benefi t to our spirit and soul. As the song writer says…
‘When I think of the goodness of Jesus, and all he has done for me, my soul cries out ‘Hallelujah’, thank God for saving me.’
