"THINK ON THESE THINGS"

By MARY EDWARDS

P.O. BOX 362, NIXA, MO 65714

PHONE: 417.631.7248 -- marymac@cebridge.net

"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, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

In today's turmoil of thoughts that plague many Christians – thoughts that dwell on economic difficulties, loss of job, loss of home, difficulties with children, marriages in loss of security, as well as a multitude of other un- pleasant thoughts, where are Christians turning for peace of mind, trying to find tranquility for their lives – or are they even searching for the right kind of peace of mind?

In His Word the Lord gives us many, many options on where to turn for His peace and tranquility. His Word is the only place where this state of being is offered in perfect peace, but yet we see many Christians turning here and there, to and fro, up and down, over and about, everywhere except to the Word of the Lord. Re- member the song, "Take It To The Lord In Prayer"? Oh, how often we hesitate or totally fail to take our thoughts and petitions there to the place of refuge, the only place of refuge.

How often do we express the desire "if only I had." Maybe it is a million dollars we would like and think that would solve all of our problems. Maybe it is good or better health. Maybe it is some special possession we would like and believe that would give us complete tranquility.

Yet the Lord says, "What- soever things are true." Right at the top if we are going to think of things that are true, we must start with Jesus. He says, "I am truth." You could not arrive at any more truth than that of Jesus. If we examine truth in ourselves we will be found utterly lacking in comparison to Jesus, but be sure He will provide enough truth for us if only we will go to Him for it. We could not get pure truth from anywhere else. What a joy to know His pure truth will be imparted to us if we but ask.

Likewise, "Whatsoever things are lovely." We of course cannot even begin to imagine anything or anyplace as lovely as that which Jesus provides. There are beauti- ful gardens we may have seen, beautiful sunsets, beautiful rain- bows, beautiful paintings, beautiful children, oh so many beautiful things and yet they can never measure up to the beauty that Jesus pro- vides both in sight and thought.

"Whatsoever things are pure." There is not much in the world today that can be considered "pure." Jesus walked on earth in purity, even in the midst of all that was impure in His day. The lack of purity in the day of Christ was very little in comparison to our day. As a matter of fact the purity in my day was not nearly as lacking as it has become in our present day. But certainly we can think on any aspect of the Lord Jesus Christ and be sure we are thinking pure.

It has come to my mind the words in the song "One Day At A Time." Some words in that song state "It is worse now than then," referring to the time when Jesus was on earth. And truly we know that things are worse now than then, but He is still the same, praise the Lord. If it were not so, Christians would be of all people most miserable here on earth. We can praise God that He is still with us in truth and sincerity and we can think on Him.

Whatsoever things are "lovely." There is nothing more lovely we could think on than the lovely "Rose of Sharon", the lovely "Lily of the Valley", the lovely "Bright and Morning Star." Everything we could possibly deem lovely all embodied in the Lord Jesus Christ. What more could we possibly need to "think on" than the one described in His Word in so many ways as beauty. What a wonderful being of beauty God has given us in the person of Jesus.

Thinking or focusing on godly virtues will affect what you decide to see (look at) – in books, tele- vision or wherever you choose to look. Since there are things out there that are excellent and worthy of praise, the Lord can certainly help us to focus (or think) on those things. Aren't you glad God doesn't just leave us out on our own to wander about in darkness, but rather He guides our steps and our thoughts if we will but let Him.

Paul goes further in verse 9 when he says "the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things and the God of peace shall be with you. He was telling us he is an example of one who focuses on godly virtues and if we follow his example we will not only have the peace of God, but also the God of peace. Remember Paul maintained spiritual stability in the midst of severe trials. Oh, how we should be thankful for such an example to think on today amidst all that is going on around us.

I have only touched the hem of the garment so to speak in the things we are given to "think on," but God will show you so much more when you begin to "think on these things" as we are com- manded to do. God bless you and Praise the Lord for the great things He gives us to "think on". What a great God we have. V