Think on these things…

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, 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 any praise, think about these things. (WEB)

Today’s Bible reading encourages us to think on good things, not bad things. I am becoming more convinced by the day that whatever we fix our gaze on, is what we become. That is why it is so very important for us to set our affections on things above and not on the things of this earth (Colossians 3:2).

If all we do is listen to what the media is telling us, we will begin to develop a mindset that is in agreement to what we are hearing. If we spend our time focusing on negative thoughts, it is probably not too big a leap to figure out that the result of all that doom and gloom will be more negativity in our lives.

It is simply a universal principle that God has set in motion. What we look at is what we become. The good news about this principle is that if we focus on things that are just, things that are pure, things that are lovely and things that are of good report, then we will reap in kind what we have sown.

My prayer today is that we would all see how easy it is to re-set our negative thoughts and attitudes by simply focusing on things that are positive instead. You might read this and think that it is easier said than done because of all of the bombardment of negative messages that we receive every day. It is true that we may have to turn the channel on our television once in a while or be more selective with what we read in the newspaper. I think that is a given.

However, the Bible encourages us to not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2). It also tells us that the Holy Spirit has given us the power to ‘take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5). I truly believe that if we ask God for help in this area, He will give us wisdom (James 1:5) on how to switch our focus from the negative to the positive.

If we are continually bombarded by negative influences all around us, how can we possibly find some positive things to focus on? Colossians 3:2 tells us to simply look up… Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. (WEB)

Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus… 1 Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (WEB)

My encouragement today is that we would all throw off the things that hinder us and the sin that so easily entangles us so that we can fix our eyes on Jesus who is the author and the finisher of our faith. May our Father give us the grace today to think on good things instead of bad things. May we all continually be transformed from one state of glory to another as we continue to fix our gaze on our elder brother.

2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. (WEB)