Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
Our actions follow our thoughts like a heat-seeking missile follows the exhaust of a jet fighter's engine. So, in a day when so much around us trains us to find the negative in life, and especially in others, we must aggressively pursue the character, the qualities, and the things of God's goodness. Social media drowns us in negativity, spite, division, ugliness, and hostility. God gives us these things in our verse today to remind us of goodness, nobleness, rightness, and purity. God gives us admirable things, things that are excellent and praiseworthy. So, let's think about these things in a world that is drowning in negativity, futility, and loss.
My Prayer...
Holy and Magnificent God, thank you for being better than anything my world can offer me. Thank you for calling me to a higher standard than the world accepts. Thank you for giving me the promise of a better future than any human can imagine. Thank you for giving me a high calling to live up to you and your will. So now, I ask, dear Father, for the Holy Spirit to help imprint what is lovely and admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, into my character as I focus on them in my thoughts. In Jesus' holy name, I offer my thoughts and focus to you. Amen.
"Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table...."
"[Paul, continuing his address to the council of the city of Athens:] "God overlooked people's ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now...."
"But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this..."
Bible: Browse OT/NT Books
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