Think On These Things. . .

This week I am writing the scripture schedule titled, “Think.” Have you ever thought about what that word means? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “to form or have in the mind; to consider; to ponder or reflect on.” I’ve heard that we should “think outside the box.” “Think before you speak!” is a lesson that most of us have learned the hard way. Earl Nightingale is credited for saying, “We are what we think about.” That’s so true because whatever we think we are – we are!

The memory verse that I’m writing every day is Philippians 4:8. Now, Sunday night, I thought – “Okay, this is good.” Monday night it was, “Why in the world did I pick such a long memory verse.” Yesterday, I thought, “This is really a good verse!” But, tonight – I “thought on these things!” The verse says, “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.” If something is true – it is without deviation. Honest means that something is genuine or real. Just means impartial or fair, while something is pure if it has had nothing mixed in to pollute it. I especially like the phrase to think on what is lovely! You know – what’s lovely to me might not be lovely to you, but what is lovely to God – now, that’s always lovely! We are to spend our time thinking on things that are of good report – things that are positive and uplifting. We need to steer clear of those who are always negative and have nothing good to say about anything. We should concentrate (watch TV shows and movies, read books, and listen to music) on things that are morally right – that’s what virtue means. And finally, if there be anything praise worthy – something of value – we are to “think on these things.”

As you think back over your day today, did you praise anyone? Were you honest with others and with yourself? Did you give everyone the benefit of a doubt without preconceived ideas of what you “thought” they meant? Would you call your thoughts, “pure?” Did you spend the afternoon complaining about the weather or did you look at God’s amazing power as the wind blew? Whether or not you had a “good day” or a “bad day” probably depends on what you spent your time thinking about. Praying that tomorrow, you’ll “think on these things.” God Bless, Courtney