MasterTruth

Who is God--in Less Than Two Minutes

Different cultures have different views of God. So if you were asked to describe God in two sentences to someone from a different culture, how would you describe Him? After all, in business, we’re told to have an elevator speech to let people know who we are in two minutes or less.

The Apostle Paul did an elevator speech for God on two occasions. He highlighted a few of His signature qualities that should summarize to all mankind just who God is. Can you guess what those might be? Hint: They are God-descriptors that emerge several places in the Bible, which shows that Paul had studied the Scriptures to the point that his sentences came forth from God’s presence (Ps. 17:2).

We’ll look at one occasion here and study one descriptor. Paul had just healed someone, and those around determined that he must be a god, so they started to worship him. He was horrified and was compelled to explain that he wasn’t God and quickly explained who the living God is:

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. (Acts 14:14-17)

The first thing everyone must know about the true God is that He is the creator God. “which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.” Paul was quoting Ps. 146:6 “(God) made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is…”

Nehemiah had also memorized that description of God and prayed it back to Him in public and for all to read in Neh. 9:6 (Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou has made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein…)

So, besides that initial point-to-remember about God, I don’t want to miss the fact that it was top of mind to Paul when he had to come up with a summary of God on the fly. He didn’t whip out his limited Bible and search for Ps. 146:6. He already had it memorized and synthesized well enough for it to be top of mind in that situation.

So, the first point to ponder and memorize about God and have it ready in an instant is that God made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything therein.

If we take the time to meditate on that, we’ll find that it isn’t just something to spout off to others. It’s something that affects everything else. If God made the heaven, the earth, the seas and everything therein, He’s in control of it all. So when Jesus stopped the violent storm that was thrashing the disciples’ boat around by rebuking the wind and telling the sea “Peace, be still,” They feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:41) The wind and the sea obey Him because He created them.

Think of the other famous sea episode… when Jonah was tossed into the tempestuous sea and a whale swallowed him. Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:17) God could do that, because God created it all, and He’s in control of it all.

If you think about God in that way, it should affect your outlook. What could possibly happen to you outside of His control? He made everything, and thus is in control of it—including you and the very breath that you breathe. Your times are in His hands. Make the most of them.

Jody

The Fear of the Lord Gone Bad

Not everyone who fears the Lord always lives an exemplary life like Job did. Jonah’s life teaches us something else about the fear of the Lord.

He was an anonymous face in the crowd on board a ship headed for Tarshish when a violent storm arose. “Every man for himself” wasn’t good enough after awhile. The superstitious crew members wondered who on board was responsible for this evil, destructive fierce storm. Surely someone had angered his god. By a type of lottery, they determined it was Jonah. He had their rapt attention. Just who was this man? Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? (Jonah 1:8)

Here’s Jonah’s “all you need to know in 30 seconds” elevator speech: “And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.” (Jonah 1:9-10)

Clearly, this man who feared God had issues. He wisely didn’t go into the story of why he disobeyed God. But we know why. He didn’t like God’s message he was sent to deliver to those people over there in the opposite direction in Nineveh. As a prophet, he was God’s messenger to wicked people, which we could argue, made him more spiritual than the average person—even religious people. He was told to go tell the people of Nineveh to repent of their sins and God would prevent the judgment He had planned for them. Jonah knew God would forgive them, and he didn’t want that. He wanted God to judge them. He wanted nothing to do with God’s plan.

This leads us to some serious points about spirituality. Knowledge, even insider, deep knowledge, isn’t all there is to the fear of the Lord. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Prov. 1:7) Wouldn’t you say that in the moment Jonah got on that ship headed in the opposite direction of Nineveh, he was acting as a fool?

But truth be told, we all have moments of being a fool, not agreeing with God or obeying Him. What I like best about this story is that God still worked with Jonah and with those people on the ship in the context of Jonah’s disobedience. The God we fear can and does do that.

Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee… Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. (Jonah 1:14, 16)

They threw Jonah overboard, per his request, and a whale swallowed him. From the whale’s belly, Jonah repented, sort of.

After the whale spit him out, he went and preached to the people of Nineveh, and God spared them. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. (Jonah 4:1-3)

What was his deal? There was certainly a spiritual blemish in his life, to say the least. But let’s draw our attention to our sovereign God who works all things together for the good to those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).

In spite of Jonah’s attitude, God’s bigger purpose happened perfectly. Jesus spoke of Jonah (known as Jonas in the New Testament) and how his life was a prophetic picture. Imagine. God’s prophet was himself a prophetic picture:

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. (Matt. 12:39-41)

Here’s what the fear of God teaches us today: We might not be the best at fearing God, but He is the focus, not us. Let’s not be DOWN on Jonah or down on our own failings. Instead, let’s be UP on God, the object of our fear. He gets glory one way or another. Let’s be willing participants in that.

Jody

Benefits of the Fear of the Lord

Job has the testimony that he feared God and hated evil. Besides evidence from the very first verse in the book, we know from the conversation about Job between God and Satan. Let’s listen in.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (Job 1:8-10)

Let’s push pause there. I think this might be the only time in the Bible that we hear Satan praise God for His awesomeness (in his accusatory Satanic way, but nonetheless). And what he said backs up what the rest of the Bible teaches about the benefit of fearing God. Here are the blessings Job enjoyed, per Satan:

• Hast not thou made an hedge about him, (protection)
• and about all that he hath on every side? (protection for his family and his stuff)
• thou hast blessed the work of his hands, (productivity)
• and his substance is increased in the land. (provision)

Was Job a special case? Or does God provide these benefits to any and all who truly fear Him? Don’t miss the fact that while Job feared God on the inside, God blessed him on the outside. Satan was smart enough to give God credit for the fact that Job, and his family as a result, lived a protected life, successful and profitable in his work, enjoying personal abundance. Job lived a charmed life. It was the result of fearing God, and you can expect the same if you truly fear the Lord (notice my previous post on exactly what that means).

Here are the verses to back it up.

• In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. (Prov. 14:26)—Protection for you and your kids
• The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (Psa. 34:7-10)—Protection and provision
• He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. (Psa. 115:13-14)—Productivity.
• The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. (Prov. 19:23)—Protection.

But we can’t take this and run with a “prosperity gospel” theme where we encourage others to trust Christ and their life will be an enviable dream of success. First, it’s one thing to pray a prayer accepting Christ—and quite another to live a life that fears God. That requires a heart that wants to know, love, obey and serve Him evidenced by daily sitting at His feet in front of the Bible (see my previous post).

But beyond that, God reserves the right to test our fear of Him. That might require touching our protection, productivity and provision. That’s exactly what happened to Job, and it resulted from Satan standing before God and having a discussion about Job’s fear of the Lord.

Was Job an isolated case? Probably not. Satan is the accuser of the brethren, even if he’s accusing God for how blessed we are. (Rev. 12:10) So while there are promises of prosperity and success (Josh. 1:8, Psa. 1:1-3), there is always God who tests and teaches obedience through suffering (Heb. 5:8).

But the bottom line is that Job still feared the Lord through it all, because one who fears the Lord knows, loves, obeys and serves Him. Job said, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. (Job 13:15)

After he was tried, his life went back to a testimony of protection, productivity and provision. So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. (Job 42:12a)

Now, having said all that, if you know, love, obey and serve God, that’s a testimony that you fear Him. I’ll bet your life shows God’s protection and provision. Take some time to recognize that and give God the praise.

But if your life is a mess in every way, it begs the question—do you fear the Lord?

Jody

How to Fear the Lord

What does it mean to fear the Lord? The concept is mentioned all over the Bible. But how do you know what it is and if you fear the Lord?

First, He commands to fear Him. He equates fearing Him with keeping his commandments, or obeying Him, walking in His ways, loving Him and serving Him with all of our heart. He promises a prolonged life as a result. (Deut. 6:1-2, 13, 24; 10:12, 20; Prov. 10:27, 22:4)

Fearing the Lord isn’t a feeling you muster. After all, fear, to us is an emotion. But rather it is something learned, not by sitting in church or taking a class. You learn to fear the Lord by a practice of reading His word each day—all your life. Only through that do you learn to know, love and fear God. (Deut. 14:23, 17:18-20, 31:12-13)

To that point, think of the testimony of Job. There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. (Job 1:1) You wonder how it is that Job feared the Lord. He didn’t fear the Lord just for a day, because fear of the Lord is not a daily emotion. He had a life of fearing the Lord, and we see the key to it here: Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (Job 23:12)

There is a distinct correlation between meeting with God in His word every day and the fear of the Lord.

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Prov. 2:1-6)

Which comes first: fearing God or getting wisdom from His word. The verses above seem clear that getting knowledge, wisdom and understanding will lead to the fear of the Lord.

But notice, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Prov. 9:10) Fear of the Lord, knowledge, wisdom and understanding all go together. They are stuck together like glue.

I used to tell God all the time that I just wanted to know Him more. I felt like I had a nice taste of Him, but there was so much more about Him and of Him I hungered and thirsted to know. Then it dawned on me one day sitting through a boring, weak, mamby pamby church service. I had been trying to make a decision between that church and another one I had been visiting. Somehow it hit me. If I wanted to get to know God better, it would be from getting to know His word better, and that other church that I wasn’t sitting in at the time, was strong on teaching the Bible. I made my decision right there. I would choose the strong Bible-teaching church. My knowledge, understanding and fear of Him grew stronger only then as I was challenged with those around me at the Bible-teaching church to dig in the word myself for the amazing nuggets it holds.

I would say that those reading this who love God and meet with Him daily, anxious to know Him more and apply what they learn from the treasures of His word don’t need to wonder if they fear the Lord. They do, and they have that testimony before God.

Jody

Fear of the Lord = Obedience

Looking at what it means to fear the Lord, I was intrigued with the following interesting passage: 

“A son honoureth (or glorifies) his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour?(or glory) and if I be a master, where is my fear (reverence or awe-inspired deed)? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.” (Mal 1:6-8)

What was the proof that the Israelites didn’t honor God and didn’t fear Him? After all, they never said they didn’t honor or fear God. He observed their life and concluded they didn’t honor or fear (reverence) Him.

It showed in what they offered God in their sacrifices. They offered polluted bread, probably made with leaven, and they offered less than perfect animals—those they didn’t want that were sick.

It isn’t as if the Israelites didn’t know what God required.

No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the LORD, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire. (Lev. 2:11)

And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God. (Deut. 15:21)

Prophetically, this would have been an offense because the sacrifice, which was to be perfect, pictured the coming Christ, who was perfect. They marred the prophetic picture or symbol. Leaven pictures sin. Jesus was the bread of life, and He had no sin. So God wanted the offering to have no leaven.

Practically, they disobeyed God in the sacrifice they offered. God asked for perfect sacrifices. So while they partially obeyed God, in that they did do sacrifices, they didn’t do it completely. Half-hearted obedience is disobedience. God is not interested in a form of obedience. He deserves and demands complete obedience.

I notice that God was especially angry at disobedience surrounding things that were prophetic pictures. Consider Moses striking the rock twice when God just asked him to speak to the rock the second time. (Num. 20:7-12) God was so upset with his disobedience to that, he didn’t allow Moses to enter the Promised Land, even though he was called to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land!

For a quick prophetic view and summary, that rock out of which water came pictured Christ. (1 Cor. 10:4). The first time water came forth from the rock was after God asked Moses to strike it (Ex. 17:6). The second time, God asked Moses to simply speak to the rock, because as a picture, Christ only needed to be smitten once (Isa. 53:4, Heb. 9:28, 1 Pet. 3:18). Moses messed up the prophetic picture by having Christ smitten twice.

Consider Cain and Abel. They both offered sacrifices, but Cain’s wasn’t the type God wanted (Gen. 4:2-5) The correct animal sacrifice pictures Christ; an offering of the tilling of the ground pictures human effort to please God.

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” (Heb. 11:4)

The point overall, though, is that to fear the Lord is to obey completely. Not halfheartedly, not just so it looks good to others around. God wants an obedient, compliant heart. Know what He said and do what He said from the heart completely. That shows Him that I fear Him. This applies to more than our offerings.

“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1Sa 15:22 AV)

Back to our original verse in Mal about the Israelites offering polluted bread and imperfect lambs. You know, others could have easily overlooked the condition of the offering. On the outside, they were probably pretty inconspicuous. But what matters is what happens between us and the Lord. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Heb 4:13) We just don’t realize that God sees everything, including motives and thoughts.

Our obedience and personal disciplines must be between us and God first. Even if no one ever sees our devotion and the sacrifices we decide to make, God sees it and weighs it. Does it come from a heart that honors Him, and is it pure and right?

This defines the fear of the Lord. God asked these people where their fear was. It was missing because they didn’t obey completely, which stemmed from a heart not perfect toward Him. We’ll take a deeper look at the fear of the Lord.

Jody

Think on These Things

We just spent the last week evaluating our thought life by zoning in on what each of the words in Phil. 4:8 means and how to apply them to our thought life. I did that personal study because I prayed and asked God how to handle some of my plaguing reoccurring mental and emotional stalemates. The day after I prayed that, I read through Phil. 4 in my quiet time and saw that fresh and gentle reminder that it all starts with my thought life. So Phil. 4:8 is my verse for the year.

After studying it, the impression I have is that God requires simply a positively pure, sincere thought life. One of my go-to verses to avoid conflict with others is, He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. (Prov. 13:3) Now I realize that’s good advice once ugly thoughts have festered for awhile, but it would be better to discipline my thought life so that the ugly thoughts that require a zipped lip don’t roost in my mind in the first place.

Phil. 4:8 gives us power to control that. It tells us what to think on. Those true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous and praise thoughts don’t just pop into our heads automatically, because we are sinners living in a fleshly body. It’s something to work at. As mentioned in an earlier post, a good companion verse to Phil 4:8 is Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5)

Part of thinking appropriately is to recognize and toss aside every thought that offends God. It’s a good idea to have a replacement thought handy. So my plan moving forward is to thank God for something when I have to remove a thought. Why that? Because when I prayed and asked God for wisdom and I read through Phil 4, I was equally impressed with the verses before Phil. 4:8. Here they are:

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

When I thank God, I’m not focusing on negativity in my prayer or in my thought life. It would be impossible to have an untrue, dishonest, unjust, impure, ugly, wicked thought while thanking God.

As it turns out, God inhabits praise. (Psa. 22:3). God lives in praise and thanksgiving. Don’t you want to be that tight with God?

Come on the journey with me to replace ugly thoughts with praise and thanksgiving thoughts.

Jody

If There Be Any Praise

Praise is like a rose—a symbol of approval and love that you give someone. But in terms of Phil. 4:8, that rose or approval or commendation is a thought we think. God wants us to release a bundle of fragrant thought roses.

Praise is positive. So these thoughts have no hint of trying hard to steer the mind correctly. Praise thoughts are glory-giving thoughts.

I love that this glory giving happens internally, because that is more sincere than the praise we may offer outwardly. When no one knows what is going on inside our hearts and we think thoughts of praise—how lovely that must be to God, whether we have these thoughts towards Him or others He created. 

Believe it or not, God is the best praise thinker and giver. When he sees obedience, purity and sincerity from deep within us, He is ready with praise from His pure heart.

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Rom. 2:29)

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1Cor. 4:5)

…If there be any praise, think on these things. Now the question is, how do we muster these kinds of thoughts? Material for praise-worthy thoughts is not that handy, unless we are thinking on God and His word.

This is where I think putting Bible verses to music is so valuable. If you are at all musical, try coming up with a tune you can sing to God with words that originate from Him. I actually have many of them, and you can find the free sheet music off to the right where it says “NT Musical Memory Verses” and “OT Musical Memory Verses.”

The idea of a mind engaged in thoughts of praise reminds me of this verse: Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Eph. 5:19)

Praise thoughts directed to God are the best kind. To get started, here’s one to think on for today: For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psa. 100:5)

Jody

If There Be Any Virtue

I’ve noticed a pattern in the list of things we are to think about in Phil. 4:8. Our thought life and our lived life are to match. To be true, think true. To be honest, think honest, to be just, think just, and so on. Today, we are looking at “if there be any virtue… think on these things.”

Virtue is moral goodness and purity. We are to think on these things so that they are then reflected in our lives. Because, as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. (Prov. 23:7) In particular, a woman who shows virtue is attractive.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. (Prov. 12:4)

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (Prov. 31:10)

Maybe the counseling we give and receive on the importance of being a virtuous woman falls short. Most of what I’ve heard about the virtuous woman has everything to do with what she does and says with no mention of what she thinks.

So let’s examine that. The verse above… A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband. I want to be that. The best way I’ve been taught is to just hold my tongue. At least that way, I’ll appear virtuous. After all, a woman who speaks all her mind is clearly not virtuous. The virtuous woman openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (Prov. 31:26)

But what if we back up a minute and focus on the thoughts that our friends and family don’t hear. What kind of a gulf is between our thoughts and our lives and words? If I think venomous thoughts, then my challenge is to make sure they don’t escape out of my mouth. Rather than work on self-control in that area, wouldn’t it be far better to work on the offending thoughts behind them so that they aren’t even there in the first place?

The way to do that is to internalize Phil. 4:8 and capture each thought that doesn’t measure up and toss it aside. Actually, that’s why Phil. 4:8 is my verse for 2016. I would absolutely love it if those thoughts became second nature to me. It would be life altering.

A good companion verse to Phil. 4:8 is Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5)

Of course, to make it easier, we want to be careful what we allow in our eye and ear gates. We’ll be less likely to think trashy thoughts if we aren’t looking at and listening to trashy things.

It’s really not rocket science. If you have kids, you’re probably very concerned about what they watch and listen to, because you don’t want to see negativity reflected in their lives. Same with God. Let’s be responsible with our thinkers.

Jody

Whatsoever Things are of Good Report

Towards the bottom of the list of approved thinking material in Phil 4:8, the verse says to think on things that are of good report. That means to think on things that sound well.

I can picture that. If I were to utter what’s on my mind, it would sound good to the hearer.

Can you imagine a loud speaker playing your thoughts to a room full of people? I bet no one would come out of that scene unscathed. Does it help at all to know that God knows all our thoughts? (Ps. 94:11) That’s sobering. In spite of it, He loves us. But when He evaluates, he’s looking for good thoughts that go with good lives.

As we’ve seen in earlier blog posts, how we think affects how we speak and how we act. (Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh, Matt. 12:34).

I notice that those whose lives are said to be of good report are the ones God chooses to use for His purposes. I’m sure to get God’s approval, those with lives of good report have matching thoughts of good report behind them. Otherwise, those people are hypocrites: thinking one way and speaking/acting another way.

Here are some examples to think about:

♠And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. (Acts 10:22) Cornelius was the vessel God chose to call for Peter to announce that the gospel applied to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews. So here, God wanted someone of good report (with a good testimony to the Jews) to be a part of ushering in the transition of the gospel message to include everybody.

♠Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1Tim. 3:7) A life characterized by a good report is one of the qualifications for a deacon.

♠Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. (1Tim. 5:10) This verse applies to the type of widow the church is to support. She must have a good report.

♠Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. (Heb. 11:1-2) By faith, the heroes in Heb. 11 did amazing things for God, and by it, they achieved a good report.

The point of all this is that God takes seriously having an exemplary life—one that is well reported of. If that’s the kind of life God looks to use and get glory from, it has to start with the thought life—thinking things that are of good report in order to do sincere things of good report.

If I want to be an approved vessel for God, it’s going to have to start with my thoughts. I have to toss out those that couldn’t be uttered outloud.

Lord, I don’t want to be a hypocrite who thinks one way and talks and lives another way.

Jody

Whatsoever Things are Lovely

When I consider the idea of thinking on “whatsoever things are lovely,” I imagine something like this scene. Lovely is probably the most visual term in the list of approved thoughts in Phil 4:8. It’s something you’d daydream about, don’t you think?

In examining other verses in the Bible that use that word in the original Greek, I found it’s a standalone. The Bible dictionary defines it as acceptable or pleasing. Here are some questions to ask about our thoughts to determine if they qualify as lovely:

 

• If Jesus was looking into my mind, would He agree that this thought is lovely or pleasing?
• If someone asked, “What are you thinking about right now?” would I have to lie and come up with something more publically palatable?
• Could I speak what I’m thinking and it would draw rather than repel a crowd?

I think you can tell when others are thinking lovely/pleasing thoughts because it shows on their face, and they are the kind of people you want to be around and talk to. You want to soak up a little of what they have.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:45)

What would be some good examples of lovely thoughts? I think it would be those that stem from a heart of love, and if we look at 1 Cor. 13:4-7, we have some good thought samples:

♥Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Can you picture the lovely thoughts that would yield this kind of fruit? Kind thoughts; humble thoughts; unselfish thoughts.

♥Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Thoughts to match this would be others-seeking; thoughts that don’t take offenses personally; thoughts that don’t dwell on the bad in others.

♥Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; This attitude doesn’t take into account the sins in others, but chooses to focus on truth.

♥Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. These things come from a lovely thought life willing to “take it,” believing and hoping the best for and about other people.

Certainly Jesus is our best example of all this. He knew Peter would deny Him, but Jesus looked past that iniquity, just like charity does. He had lovely thoughts for Peter and his future.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. (Luke 22:31-34)

When Jesus was unjustly hung on the cross, He demonstrated lovely thoughts toward those who put Him there: Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34a)

On your own, look what Jesus prayed in John 17. He had nothing but lovely thoughts for those God gave Him to minister to, even though those people weren’t always loveable.

Jesus demonstrated God in the flesh. Of God, we read in Jeremiah, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jer. 29:11)

Overall, I’d say God and Jesus bear all things, hope all things and endure all things, and it comes from lovely thoughts toward us.

How do we get there? I guess we just pray and strive to be more Christ-like in our thoughts. Maybe ask God to help with lovely thoughts today.

Jody

Whatsoever Things are Pure

In the list of things to think about (Phil 4:8), it’s easy to understand why we should think on whatsoever things are true. Who wants to think about lies? It’s a little less obvious why we should think on things that are honest and just. But with the fourth thing—whatsoever things are pure—we are back in “that makes perfect sense” territory. Pure is an easy word to picture. It means clean. Are all my thoughts pure or clean?

I see an obvious correlation between thinking on things that are pure and being pure. Here’s a powerful thought: Jesus came to earth, suffered injustice and death on the cross, rose again the third day and is alive in heaven right now. Why did He do all that? Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:14) He looked ahead at my life and yours, if you know Him as your personal savior, and He pictured people pure for Him to accomplish His good works through us. Pure vessels. That’s what He wants.

How do we be pure, besides thinking pure? Pure religion and undefiled before God… is to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)

The motivation to be pure is the second coming of Christ. If we know for sure He’s coming back, and we are counting on it and thinking about it, we will want to live pure lives. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)

So again, to be pure, we have to think pure—and the best place to find pure things to think about is the Bible.

♦The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psa. 12:6)

♦The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (Psa. 19:8b)

♦Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. (Psa. 119:140)

That’s why it’s a great idea to get into the Bible each morning and look into the face of God and ask for something to hang on to for the day. It can be a verse of praise, a commandment to follow, a sin to avoid. With a heart eager to get something from God, it would be hard to come away from 15 minutes or a half hour in the Word without something pure to dwell on. Remember, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2Tim. 3:16)

If you’re having a hard time with motivation to get into the Bible each day, pray and ask God to put a person on your heart that you could call and ask if you could be accountable to them to read your Bible each day. I did that once many years ago. As I was praying and asking God who I could be accountable to, I thought of one friend, and as I thought of her, she called me. Before I could tell her how amazing it was that she called me right at that moment, she asked me a question. She said, “Jody, can I be accountable to you to read my Bible each day?” That goes down as one of the most amazing things to ever happen to me. We started an accountability relationship. One of us called the other each morning to make sure we were out of bed and ready to start reading the Bible. It worked!

Besides thinking on the Bible, part of thinking on pure things is not letting impure things into our minds. We may have to give up some viewing material that prevents pure thoughts.

One thing is for sure, God wants pure lives and thoughts. He’s worthy of pure vessels to accomplish His will on this earth. Let’s not lose sight of that.

Jody

Whatsoever Things are Just

There is so much injustice in this world, we almost have to think outside this world to come up with just things to think about. We are looking at Phil. 4:8, which gives a list of things to think on, and “just” is the third thing in the list.

It reminds me of the phrase “To look around is to be distressed; to look in is to be depressed; to look up is to be blessed.”

That may be the point to thinking on just things. For a good understanding of what “just” means, look at these 4 verses:

♦If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

♦And there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.” (Isa 45:21b)

♦Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zech 9:9)

♦And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. (Rev 15:3)

God and Jesus are just, and from reading these verses, the word conjures images of holy righteous and lofy. So yes, looking up at Him is a good place to start in thinking of things that are just (righteous, holy and lofty) because we aren’t going to find anything like that to think on if we focus on things around us, and certainly not if we are focused on the news and anything having to do with the upcoming presidential election. We can’t look to our country for just things to think on. We can’t expect a presidential hopeful to usher in justice. Everyone around us is a sinner and brings with them unholy thoughts, ideas and actions. To place any thought on them is futile.

Our most righteous, holy thoughts will be those focused on God, Jesus and the Bible. So here are a few verses to think about, and maybe to memorize or frame and put up in the house.

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deut. 32:4)

The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. (Zeph. 3:5)

As we go through our days, let’s accept the challenge to think on things that are just—righteous and holy. When we do that, we will probably find that our actions follow, and we become better people to be around.

Jody

Whatsoever Things are Honest

What does it mean in Phil. 4:8 to think on things that are honest? I completely understand what it means to BE honest, but to think on things that are honest? I looked up the meaning and other words to describe it are grave or noble. Think on those things.

For a better understanding, consider the opposite of honest/grave/noble. Wouldn’t that be thoughts that are lies and things that cause the mind to dwell in muck and mire? In that case, we can take just about anything the world puts out there as something that doesn’t lead to honest/grave/noble thoughts. Upstanding might be a good word to describe what it means to think on things that are honest. What isn’t upstanding? For starters, how about songs with ungodly words, ideas and suggestions. Or trashy books, magazines, movies, videos, and TV shows? If the goal is to steer our minds away from ignoble thoughts, then our eye- and ear-gates may need new material.

I think in our age, we are so sedated and numb with the din of these influences—and those around us who are talking about them—that we don’t realize how we are holding ourselves down spiritually.

But the verse doesn’t say what not to think about. It says to think about honest things. That means replacing the dishonorable dwelling thoughts with upstanding, profitable thoughts.

I surely have one example from my life. I walk 3 miles each morning, and in less-than-ideal weather, I’m on the treadmill. To keep my mind off the repetition of walking, I watch recorded TV programs. What if I chose to do something more noble and honest with my mind? A better plan might be to listen to a recorded sermon or a good Christian book on tape. In fact, I started one today. That is more honest of a thing to ponder than the TV programs, which are simply worldly fluff. I want better thoughts, leading to better ideas and behaviors. I want to think noble so I act noble. Is anyone with me?

Here’s an old poem that paints a pretty good picture of what we’re talking about.

  I have three tame ducks in my back yard,
  Who wallow in the mud, and try real hard
  To get their share and even more
  of the overflowing backyard store.
  They're fairly content with the task they're at
  Of eating and sleeping and getting fat.
  But when the wild ducks fly by
  In a streaming line across the sky,
  They cast a wishful and quizzical eye
  And flap their wings and attempt to fly.
  I think my soul is a tame old duck
  Wallowing around in the barnyard muck,
  It's fat and lazy with useless wings
  But, once in awhile when the north wind sings
  And the wild ducks hurtle overhead
  It remembers something lost and almost dead,
  And it casts a wistful eye
  And flaps its wings and tries to fly.
  It's fairly content with the state that it's in
  But it isn't the duck that it might have been!

(Author unknown)

Jody

Whatsoever Things are True

What change, what victory could happen in my life if I had just one verse that I focused on and lived out every day—for a year? I’m about to find out. My verse for the year is Phil 4:8. This is an action verse, and it’s one I need.  

Phil 4:8 is a list of “approved” thoughts to dwell on as one way to keep me from being anxious. (The other way to keep from being anxious is in the 2 verses ahead of verse 8. You should read them.)

Will you go on the Phil. 4:8 journey with me? It would probably be a good idea to examine each of the thought types listed to capture as much meaning from them as possible. So, we will do that. But also, memorizing it is a grand idea, so that when our Bibles aren’t right in front of us, we still have the wisdom of what to do with our minds.

Here we go with the first approved thought:

Whatsoever things are true…think on these things.

What is truth? Jesus is true and “the truth” (Matt 22:16, John 14:6); God is true (John 3:33, Rom 3:4); the anointing we received when we got saved is true (1 John 2:27); and God’s word is true and the truth.

So when I’m told to think on whatsoever things are true, I can think about God and all that He is and does, and thank Him for it while I’m thinking about it. I can think about Jesus and all He did and still does (He’s my intercessor at the right hand of God right now, Heb. 7:25). I can think about the Spirit who helps me know and understand the truth (1 Cor. 2:10).

When you were growing up, did your parents ever tell you they were going to wash your mouth out with soap for saying something inappropriate?

As a loving parent, God has a similar, but more palatable, idea for washing our minds before we spout ugliness. He does it with the water of His word.

Here are some soul-cleansing swigs about the truth of God’s word:

♦“Sanctify (consecrate or make holy) them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)

♦“…Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” (Eph. 5:25b-26)

♦“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (Psa. 119:9)

While we consider thinking on “whatsoever things are true,” we should understand that this involves corralling random thoughts that float to the surface and comparing them with truth. It also involves our “dwelling” thoughts—or those we muse over. They also need to be captured and held up to the “whatsoever things are true” standard.

Some of the things we ponder are untrue imaginings, and we know what God says about those:

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

And finally, if we want to be overcomers, we have to think on the truth. It’s partly how we get victory in our spiritual battles.

 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth” (Eph. 6:13-14a).

You probably already know all this, but let’s practice it together. Today and tomorrow let’s hold up our thoughts to the truth we know and turn our minds around wherever we need to. It will make us different people.

Tell me what you think.

Jody

Fresh Thoughts for a New Year

Happy New Year. It’s time for some fresh thinking. I don’t want to carry any defeating thoughts and attitudes into 2016. I have some, don’t you? I’m talking about thought habits where I assume what others are thinking or what they will probably do, and I work myself into a little depression. Others might be defeated by anger and resentment, projecting what is likely to happen in the future based on others’ past behavior.  

I needed wisdom in how to deal with these feelings and impressions that overwhelm me. James 1:5 says, in summary, that those who lack wisdom should ask God who gives to all liberally, and it will be given them. So I prayed for God to give me wisdom in how to handle my defeating, stale thoughts. The next day I was reading in Philippians, and He spoke to my heart from four parts of chapter 4. It’s like a blueprint for how to reprogram my thinking. This was 3 weeks ago, and I’ve already pasted these thoughts into my Bible and rehearse them regularly. Hopefully they will be helpful to you too.

Four steps to handling plaguing thoughts that arise because of some reoccurring circumstance.

♦Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Phil 4:6) So first, pray each time it comes up, but in that prayer, be sure to thank God. Why? Because God is the bigger picture. He’s bigger than whatever is bothering me. So mentioning my concerns to God with thanksgiving is the balance between rehearsing my griefs and focusing on the amazing God who cares and understands. I’m so glad He included “with thanksgiving!”

♦Finally my 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. (Phil 4:8) After I have prayed and thanked God, turn my thoughts to the approved things. Find lovely, pure things to think on. God’s awesomeness would be a great start, since I have just thanked God in my prayer. So meditate on whatever it is I’m thanking God about.

♦Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound… I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. (Phil 4:11-13)  My circumstances may not change. Learn to abound with what I have and learn to be content. How can I possibly be content in a less than ideal circumstance? I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. Christ strengthens me. He helps me abound in crummy situations. Christ is there. He’s in it with me. He provides inner fortitude to keep going.

♦But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19). Realize God has and will supply all my needs. That includes emotional. If I’m lacking some huge need, Christ will supply it. That’s something to thank Him for. And I’m back to the first 2 points.

This is the blueprint I’m going to follow throughout 2016. Next, I plan to go on a journey of the approved thoughts in Phil 4:8. Since those thoughts are so important, each one of them deserves some meditation. Let’s do it together.

Jody