What are you thinking about?

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. Philippians 4:8

In this final chapter of the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul is exhorting the church in Philippi to continue to stand firm in the faith, to find agreement in the Lord, to rejoice in Jesus at all times, to never be anxious about a thing, to remain prayerful and thankful in their communication with God, and to have a holy expectancy of God's peace in their lives. This peace from God, through Jesus will guard their minds and hearts. Finally Paul gives the church a list of eight things to keep their minds focused on. In 2008, we need to take heed to the letters of Paul, take inventory of our own lives, and ask ourselves the question, what am I thinking about? Jesus instructs us to love the Lord our God with all our heart,soul, mind and strength. The enemy will do everything in his power to attack us. And I believe if we allow the enemy to mess with our minds, it will pull us off the task of serving Jesus, that is why Paul writes "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:7). In order for our minds to be guarded we have to remain prayerful, and thankful, but we also have to think on this list of eight items. The word translated to 'think' is the Greek word 'logizomai' where we get the English word logarithm. Logarithms are thought provoking, and complex in nature. They take time, and effort to figure out. God wants us to give the same effort with these list of items. He expects us to take a inventory of our thoughts, and be responsible for what we dwell on. The enemy will try his best to get is to think on lies, dishonesty, unjustness, impurity, ugliness, negative reports/gossip, vices, and condemnation! But thank God for Jesus and His blood. Because we are redeemed by Christ, and filled with the Holy Ghost, we do not have to succumb to the tricks of the enemy. When we study our Word, we know that we are not to conform to the world, but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds(Romans 12:2). We know "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,(2 Corinthians 10:4-5)". TAKE YOUR MIND BACK. ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO RENEW IT! Only you know what you need to do to make this a reality. TURN THE MUSIC OFF, IF IT DOES NOT GLORIFY GOD, if that is your weak point. CUT THE TV OFF, IF IT DOES NOT GLORIFY GOD, if that is your weak point. REMOVE YOURSELF FROM CONVERSATIONS THAT PROMOTE GOSSIP AND SLANDER, if that is your weak point, because the Bible says, "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ(Philippians 1:27). When you think on the goodness of Jesus, and all He has done for you, then your thinking will be on point! When you dwell on the good news which is the Gospel, then your thinking will be on point! When you devote time daily to prayer and meditation, then your thinking will be on point! When you WALK IN THE LIBERTY THAT ONLY JESUS CAN GIVE, then your thinking will be on point. The enemy wants your mind so that you will be ineffective for Jesus, but I am declaring right now in Jesus' name, that the enemy cannot have it, and that we already have the victory!!
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?
Grace and Peace
Stan