Think on these things…
Notes
Transcript
8 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.
Title: Think on these things…
How many have read and followed your devotional?
We live in this wonderful world of technology…
It can be wonderfully incredible, and absolutely maddening at the same time!
Think of all the changes in the last 20 years. 30 years. 40 years.
I was in high school when our school got it’s first computers.
Row of 5 computers in the library that you had to sign up to use… connected to dial up internet with floppy drives!
My friends and I would sign up and play Organ Trail…
The next year we had computers in the classrooms.
One things that has changed is maps.
Most kids today don’t know what an atlas is.
Or what a AAA TripTic was.
The American Automobile Association would provide detailed maps for you, routes, travel information and turn by turn instructions on how to get where you wanted to go.
You would have to go in and consult with an agent and then come back and they would have it all planned out for you.
Today we just say, “Hey Seri, navigate me to __________”.
In seconds, there’s your map to get you to where you are supposed to be!
NOW early on, early on I had a TomTom - dash unit that exclusively gave you directions.
Took a group of youth to convention and turned a 4 hour trip into a 6 hour trip!
BUT you can trust God!
He is the map maker and the Bible is our map!
We must meditate on his Word!
GPS is only as good as the programmer and the one following the instructions!
Distractions will get you off course every time!
This is why we must, as our text tells us, occupy our thoughts with the right stuff.
If we think only of earthly things, carnal things, then that will produce in us earthly and carnal things.
On the other hand, if we think on heavenly things, things of God occupy our thoughts, then you will produce spiritual things.
1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.
We must seek guidance from God’s Word!
We have many voices competing for our attention. Distractions!
Our world is a marketplace full of merchants trying to hard sell us on their answers to our questions!
Their answers are always based in the latest polls, protests and social media trends…
All designed to direct how we think, feel and reason.
But the only voice worth listening to are the voices that align themselves with the Word of God!
God commanded Joshua to Meditate
We see this throughout the Word of God.
Don’t confuse this words modern definition with the biblical definition.
Modern definition: empty ones mind
Biblical definition: Fill your mind - with God’s Word
We must intentionally contemplate godly principles and values with produce sound reasoning!
I will study and meditate on God’s Word daily
As I said earlier, we have a multitude of voices, thoughts, opinions and values that fill our daily lives.
We MUST intentionally study and meditate on God’s Word.
Why? “An idol mind is the devils playground” - grandma’s everywhere
We must fill our mind with the things of God!
8 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.
virtue: excelence
If we are going to excellently live for Jesus, we must meditate on his Word!
Obey God’s Word!
The practice of meditating on God’s Word moves us toward obedience.
Nehemiah 8-10 we read about he rebuilding of the wall.
Israel come together to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) and wept and mourned when they realized they were not obeying God’s commands.
Confessed their sins, studied to correct their behavior, and made the changes!
God has a plan for us in his Word!
45 For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
This contains God’s nature (I am holy) and his plan for humanity (You be holy).
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; And what doth the Lord require of thee, But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with thy God?
Not enough to just come to church, we must meditate and then live what we meditate on!
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
We surrender out lives, identity, culture, plans, and align ourselves with his life, identity, culture and plan!
The benefits of obeying God’s Word
As we are intentional about what we listen to, watch, think about, mediate on - these choices shape our lives.
Jesus don’t live in your heart, he lives in your head!
Think about it like this; your mind is a garden and thoughts are seeds you allow to grow.
What are you planting in your garden?
Anger, jealousy, lust, greed,
Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faith, goodness, mercy
You can control your thoughts!
An ungodly thought is a weed growing in your garden that left alone, at best will reduce your productivity and at worst completely choke out all good you are trying to grow!
5 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;
Conclusion: When you are intentional with your thoughts; God will make you successful!
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Success in the Kingdom of God is not the same as our definition.
God’s definition is when you look like, act and think like HIM!
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
If you are meditating on the scripture, it will correct you and lead you into peace!
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
REMEMBER: Jesus lives in your head, not your heart! d
Memory work:
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
