Think On These Things

Think On These Things Philippians 4:8-9 Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who helped hide Jews during the Nazi regime in World War II. After a while, her entire family, mother, father, sister, including herself, were arrested for this. Corrie and her sister Betsie were separated from their parents and placed in the concentration camp Ravensbruck, one of the worst concentration camps the Nazis had. Corrie documented much of her time there in her book "The Hiding Place." In it, she recounts a time when she and Betsie were complaining because of the horrible conditions. She said they had smuggled in a Bible and found time to read it. On this particular day, they had just read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which says, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Since they were reminded to give thanks in all situations, they began to list what they were thankful for. One of the things Bestie said she was thankful for was for the fleas. Corrie laughed it off and couldn't believe her sister would say that she was thankful for the fleas, because as Corrie wrote, "the fleas were literally everywhere, even in their stinky straw beds." It didn't take long before both Betsie and Corrie realized that the reason they had so much freedom in their living quarters (for reading the Bible, talking about God, and so on) was because of the all the fleas; no guard wanted to enter! Even being surrounded by evil, cut off from everybody, separated from family, and facing death daily, it's amazing how even the simplest and smallest things can still be a Reason To Rejoice. Corrie and her sister could have easily become bitter, coldhearted, and hateful people, and nobody would have said anything, but they didn't. Why? Because of their mindset. Even in the worst circumstances possible, these two women survived and lived to share their story with others because the Bible reminded them to, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Kinda sounds like what we heard last week. Where we went over how to "Rejoice in the Lord always," and to "pray with thanksgiving in every situation." If living God's Word, not just reading it, but actually living God's Word is possible even in the worst of circumstances, then it's possible in all circumstances. It is "God's will for you in Christ Jesus" that you "Rejoice always and pray with thanksgiving in every situation." Last week we learned how this leads to the peace of God, and this week, we'll continue to find biblical ways to apply this to our lives. Remember, the Bible isn't just to be read; it's to be digested. It's to become a part of you so that your life exhibits the biblical truth. It's like taking medicine. You know it's good for you when you take it correctly. So how are we to take what the Bible says and actually live God's truth? It begins with verse 8. We are to think about "whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy." You know, pastors, public speakers, and authors do a lot of listening and reading to find information, illustrations, and better ways to explain the truth. Just look at me. I read a lot of books. School books, textbooks, books just for my enjoyment, articles on the internet, all to find better ways to explain God's truth to you in better ways. What happens with all that info that I read? My mind processes it, and it becomes a part of me. That way, when I preach, it's my own words. This process of absorbing words and ideas is not unique to pastors or speakers. Everyone takes in a huge amount of info every day. Cell phones, computers, tablets, smart devices all provide info at the touch of a screen. But all that info is not necessarily good for us. Living as we do in a world with god-less values, we are bound to take in a lot of garbage. And this is what I like to refer to as a "cafeteria culture." The cafeteria culture of our age is the tendency to shy away from life's unpleasant disciplines and seek only what brings immediate pleasure. It's to become so used to being served bad news that we don't even look for good news anymore. Christians are not exempt from this tendency. Some persuasive preachers promote an "abundant life" of success and prosperity through positive thinking, more faith, or giving more money to get God's blessing in return. The Bible, of course, teaches us to think positively (Phil. 4:8) and to give liberally (2 Cor. 8:2). But much "prosperity preaching" lacks the nourishing truths of Christ's sacrifice for sin and His demand for godly living. Our God is not only loving, good, and generous; He is also righteous, holy, and demanding. He hates sin and will not compromise with evil. It's wonderful to hear about the blessings Christ offers, but we also need to experience repentance and self-denial. The picking and choosing of a "cafeteria-style" Christianity is no substitute for a well-rounded diet, which includes serving the tough truths of taking up Christ's cross and following Him (Mark 8:34). That kind of nourishment stimulates the growth of spiritual muscle and Christlike character. And I need all of that I can get! Don't you? We must reject what we can't avoid before we digest it and becomes a part of how we think. The best way to keep evil ideas out of our minds is to concentrate on good and pure and beautiful things. The mind cannot be entirely at rest; it is not a blank. Even right now, you're thinking about something, and if you weren't, you are now. Hence the exhortation is given to think about "right" things. We are to be occupied with the Scriptures, with loving attitudes and holy desires. We must look only on worthy things and meditate primarily on that which is of good report. To praise rather than to criticize is our first duty; Even if it's praising God for the fleas. And the way we can reject what we can't avoid is to Think On These Things, found in verse 8. "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." These 8 things we are instructed to think about is a filter we are to see from. "Whatever is true" are things that are not concealed, and nothing can be hidden in the light of Christ. "Whatever is noble" is to live honestly. "Whatever is right" is to focus upon the right things that can be seen even in the midst of the wrong. "Whatever is pure" is to think about things that are just. It is to focus upon things that are pure in character or in act. It is to be "pure in heart" (Matthew 5:8) that leads to holy living. To think of "Whatever is lovely" may differ from person to person because we all might have a different opinion of what is lovely. But the Bible defines "lovely" as a way of looking beyond humanities carnal desires to define value as Christ Jesus did. "Lovely" sees how God assigns something value and reveals the glory of the One we worship. "Whatever is admirable" is to think about those things that are well spoken of. Don't dwell in all the negative news that's being reported, but think about "whatever is admirable" and how Christ is working in the midst of suffering. "If anything is excellent or praiseworthy," in other words, things that glorify Christ, "think about such things." We can't avoid hearing bad thoughts and ideas, but if we process them through God's filter of truth, we can turn them around and use them for good. As we discussed in last week's sermon, God gives us peace, but we must hold onto it. You don't want to lose your peace as soon as you leave church or halfway through the week. So to prevent that, we are to dwell on "anything that is excellent or praiseworthy," and to focus upon the 8 things outlined in verse 8. One of the reasons we tend not to keep our peace is because we tend to dwell on the things that are against the peace we're asking for. People will ponder over a lie or mull over bad things that could happen. And if we continue to entertain messages that work against our peace, anxiety will soon return. If we fail to be discerning, our minds will be defiled. But if we find pleasure in "whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report" (Philippians 4:8), these good qualities will become a part of the way we think, act, and speak. We're all familiar with Jesus' parable of reaping and sowing. Well, think of this: Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow an act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit, and you reap a character; Sow a character, and you reap a destiny. Character is formed by making choices in one direction, God's Kingdom direction. By doing so, you'll grow in faith as a follower of Christ to the point where you can safely say like Paul did, "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice." Can you imagine knowing that you're walking so close to the Lord that others can see Christ in you! That people could learn from your example because they know Christ is in you! The example you set for others points beyond what people see on the surface, so leave an eternal example. Several years ago, I read a story about a 92-year-old Christian woman who was legally blind. Despite her limitation, she was always neatly dressed, with her hair carefully brushed and her makeup applied. Each morning she would meet the new day with eagerness. After her husband of 70 years died, it became necessary for her to go to a nursing home where she could receive proper care. On the day of the move, a helpful neighbor drove her to the nursing home and guided her into the lobby. Her room wasn't ready, so she waited patiently in the lobby for several hours. When the attendant finally came for her, she smiled sweetly as she maneuvered her walker to the elevator. The staff member described her room to her, including the new curtains that had been hung on the windows. "I love it," she declared. "But Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen your room," the attendant replied. "That doesn't have anything to do with it," she said. "Happiness is something you choose. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how it's arranged. It's how I arrange it in my mind." How do you arrange what enters your mind? Think On These Things, "And the God of peace will be with you." AMEN 2