What To Think!

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

This verse is a lifetime of energies – positive energies. I understand that we all will have negative thoughts and be critical; of course, we are all human BUT the “kicker” is when we harbor these negative thoughts and critical thoughts. That is where we go wrong. The New Age is pushing “positive thinking” as to “get whatever you want” but Christian aspect of positive thinking is to be in the right state of mind and heart. The Bible is definitely full of positive thoughts and Scripture for us to live our lives to the fullest as God desires for us. Yes, “live positively” by faith in God knowing that God is in control and He is going to do what is best for us and our lives but we have to stay in His will as stated in Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Because you are seeking God’s Kingdom above everything else you are opening you thoughts and heart up to God’s desires and thoughts and God will certainly bless you abundantly, whether it be in health, financially, popularity, talent, etc.
 

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, 

believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” 

(Mark 11:24, NIV)

You CANNOT out-give God in any way but make sure you accept any blessing and bounty in giving God all the honor and glory. Here are some verses that show us why we were put on this earth and where the honor and glory should go. Yes! To God, All honor and glory!

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God"

 (I Corinthians 10:31).

"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:11).

"I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore" 

(Psalm 86:12).

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven"

(Matthew 5:16).

Now back to Philippians 4:8, what are we to think on? The things to think on should be true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, with virtue, and are praiseworthy. I looked each one of these words up and they all have similar words as synonyms and in their definitions. I will mention a few of the words and then compare the ones that are similar.

• Ø True – sincere; real; fact; authentic; genuine; correct; exact; precise; loyal; honest; reliable; level
• Ø Noble – honorable; excellent rank; outstanding; very good; grand; aristocratic (considered the best of its kind); genteel (polite); great
• Ø Right – what is good or proper; appropriate; genuine; real; authentic; exact; true; veracious (honest, accurate, precise)
• Ø Pure – spotless; stainless; unmitigated (absolute, complete, perfect); unmixed; absolute (prefect, pure, positive); refined
• Ø Lovely – obsolete (unique); delightful; grand; beautiful; neat; marvelous; splendid. These are some slang words that were worth mentioning: A-OK; awesome; cool; dandy; jim-dandy; fantabulous; fabulous; groovy; keen
• Ø Admirable – obsolete; deserving the highest esteem; excellent; exciting wonder; surprising; applaudable; commendable; creditable, estimable (deserving esteem; admirable; worthy of praise); praiseworthy; meritorious (deserving reward or praise); laudable (worthy of praise; admirable; commendable)
• Ø Excellent – superior; very good; eminently good (outstanding, distinguished, prominent); fabulous; divine; par excellence (being the best of its kind); splendid; superb; righteous; noble. Here are some slang words associated with excellent: jim-dandy; dandy; A-OK; awesome; peachy; heavenly
• Ø Praiseworthy – laudable; applaudable, commendable; creditable, estimable, meritorious; admirable

Are you getting the picture? Did you read anything negative? I didn’t. Everything is positive! What does that tell us? Think on positive things, right? We can just let the verse answer that question. Well, by the time you have thought on all these GREAT and positive things, there is no room for negatives to creep in because your thought process is full of POSITIVE!

Among the things that are so similar and mentioned quite a few times in the definitions of these things to think on are: sincere; real; authentic; genuine; exact; faithful; honorable; dependable; grand; great; righteous; absolute; obsolete; splendid: applaudable; commendable; creditable; estimable; laudable; praiseworthy; awesome; A-OK; fabulous; and the list can go on. There is so many of these things in our lives! How or where do we look to find these things? We read the Bible and count our many blessings just to name a few. Just read over the verses and chorus of this well known song. It is familiar to many of us but read it and realize what blessings we have in our lives.

COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSINGS

Verse 1: When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Verse 2: Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Verse 3:

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Verse 4: So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

CHORUS: Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

(Baptist Hymnal)

So, I would like to close this article with a few verses that really put our lives into prospective on how much faith we have. Those that are thinking it takes more than positive thinking to get us through life or that positive thinking is not Christian. Let’s just meditate on these verses and see where God leads us.

“The Lord answered, "If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you!”  

Luke 17:6

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. 

Nothing will be impossible for you." 

Matthew 17:20

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” 

Luke 1:37

Think on these things mentioned above; have faith –even as small as a mustard seed- and just see where God takes you! God bless you!