HAVE GOOD THOUGHTS ALWAYS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MAY 07, 2023.

SUBJECT : HAVE GOOD THOUGHTS ALWAYS!

Memory verse: "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 be any virtue and if there be anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4 vs 8.)

READ: Proverbs 4 vs 23 - 27:

4:23: Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it springs the issues of life.

4:24: Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.

4:25: Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.

4:26: Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.

4:27: Do not turn to the right or to the left: remove your foot from evil.

INTIMATION:

Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act. A mind filled with good things has little or no space for what is evil. An evil action begins with a single thought. Allowing our minds to dwell on lust, envy, hatred, jealousy, revenge, and other negative thoughts will lead to sin. Don’t defile yourself by focusing on evil. It is a dangerous emotion that always threatens to leap out of control, leading to violence, emotional hurt, increased mental stress, and spiritual damage. Instead, think of what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Turn your thoughts to God, His Word, and good thoughts, and you will discover more and more goodness, even in this evil world. 

In the passage we read today, the apostle Paul lists the things upon which Christians must meditate. He exhorts believers to bring their minds into control. They must focus on that which is true (Ephesians 4 vs 25). They must focus on that which is noble (Second Corinthians 8 vs 21). They must concentrate on that which is right (First Thessalonians 5 vs 22; James 3 vs 17). They must keep their minds on the pure, lovely, and admirable things of life (First Corinthians 13 vs 4 - 7). If one will only meditate on these things, then his thoughts will be optimistic about life. 

There is no room in the Christian mentality for pessimistic thinking. When one understands that all things are under the control of God who can do all things, then he or she sees the best things of life. His or her focus is on that which is good and after the nature of God who is working all things together for good to them who love Him, and to them who the called according to His purpose (Romans 8 vs 28). This is the life about which Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10 vs 10). 

What you put into your mind determines what comes out in your words and actions. Program our mind with thoughts that are true, noble, right, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. If you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams, then examine what you are putting into your mind through television, internet, books, conversations, movies, and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, read God’s word and pray. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done.

The apostle Paul manifested in his life a positive view of all things. He thus exhorts believers to follow the demeanor of his life (First Corinthians 11 vs 1). The brief time he had with brethren in Philippi was enough for them to recognize the godly nature of his behavior and spirit. They were thus to follow his response to the work of God in his life (First Thessalonians 5 vs 22). 

As a person thinks in his heart, so he eventually behaves. One must thoroughly examine his heart in order to bring every evil thought under control. In order to maintain the way of righteousness, one must be on guard. We work hard to keep our outward appearance attractive, but what is deep down in our heart (where others can’t see) is more important to God. What are you like inside? When people become Christians, God makes them different on the inside. He will continue the process of change inside them if they only ask. God wants us to have healthy thoughts and motives, not just healthy bodies. 

A man attended a funeral, and people were busy discussing the late man’s attitudes and behaviors. Then the man was called up to say something about the diseased. The man looked around and said, “I will never forget how the late man laughs.” He said that to avoid making any negative comments or fill his mind with negative thoughts. This should be a model of our thought process, knowing that we should give account of every single word we speak to the Lord in the day of judgement (Matthew 12 vs 36). 

Prayer: Abba Father, l know Your thoughts for me; they of good, and not for evil. Give me the grace to think good thoughts like You in every circumstance, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!