Weekend Words

 From Be Still and Know...

"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)

It has been said that the thought life is the gateway to the soul.

Each thought that approaches the mind for entrance should pass inspection.  Before we board a plane, each passenger has to pass through a security inspection.  Either security officers must check the on-board luggage, or it is put under an x-ray machine before the passenger can carry it on the plane.

As thoughts come to the door of our minds they need to pass inspection before being allowed to enter.

Paul enumerates some inspection standards for our thoughts: "Whatsoever things are true."  Jesus said, "I am the truth."  In Him is revealed the truth about God.  God has made the truth available to us in the Bible.  As we fill our minds with Bible truths, our thoughts are centered on that which is true, genuine, and real.

We need to open our minds to "whatsoever things are honest," those things that claim respect.  We need to think on "whatsoever things are just," that which is right.

Thinking on "whatsoever things are pure" gives purity to our thought life.  We are to fill our minds with "whatsoever things are lovely," things that give beauty of character.

"Whatsoever things are of good report" are the things that are worth talking about.

It is important to saturate our minds with the word of God.  We should fix our thoughts on these God-given standards which motivate us to a more Christ-like living.  Our inner attitudes affect our outer actions.  "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).

Today if we were to take the thoughts of our minds to God's inspection centre, would they pass inspection, or would some of them need to be removed?

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts.  Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (Psalm 139:23-24, LB).

From Faith's Checkbook - Charles H Spurgeon...

Our Holiest Example

"I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved." - Psalm 16:8

This is the way to live.  With God always before us, we shall have the noblest companionship, the holiest example, the sweetest consolation, and the mightiest influence.

Always to have an eye to the Lord's eye, and an ear to the Lord's voice - this is the right state for the godly man.  His God is near him, filling the horizon of his vision, leading the way of his life, and furnishing the theme of his meditation.  What vanities we should avoid, what sins we should overcome, what virtues we should exhibit, what joys we should experience if we did indeed set the Lord always before us!

The Lord, being ever in our minds, guides and aids us, and hence we are not moved by fear, or force, or fraud, or fickleness.  When God stands at a man's right hand, that man is himself sure to stand.