* All blog posts are written by Jamie Chong-You unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Think on These Things

Today as I was considering all of the things that we're facing as individuals, as families, as a church and as a nation, I was reminded of the words of Paul in Philippians 4:8

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 is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

There are so many things that we face each day that can cause us to lose our focus, steal our joy or just bring us to a place of disillusionment concerning our faith. Through this post, I want to encourage you all today with what I have freshly received from the Father in this area. He is always able, He is always faithful and He is above all things. So whenever the opportunity arises to be thankful or complain, choose thankfulness. When the opportunity arises to worry or be at peace, be at peace. When the opportunity arises to be critical, choose to build up and encourage in truth. When the opportunity arises to walk in fear, choose to walk in faith. Just as Paul encouraged the Philippians in verses 6 & 7 of the same chapter, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

When we choose to believe Him and meditate on the true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous & praiseworthy things that are of a good report, we demonstrate our trust in Him and His ability and not our own. Negative thinking is done away with and faith arises. Things look much more like a bright hope and future and not like doom and gloom. We see with His eyes and not our own. So today, I exhort and encourage you to remember the things that He says are good and 'think on these things.'