A Few Minutes with God:A Devotional on Philippians 4:8 Meditate on Good Things
Posted: Friday, May 20, 2011
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
What is it that makes people focus on the negative side of everything? Maybe it's our past, or current circumstances. Perhaps it stems from self-righteousness and pride. Whatever the case, it's clear the tendency to focus on the negative will carry us further into an ever-darkening pit. Unfortunately, we don't go down alone. We pull those around us down as we fall.
This passage is all inclusive; making way for every issue known to man. You can plug in anything that comes to your mind - what is on your list as you consider your thought pattern?
Today my thoughts turn toward religion as it has been a big topic of conversation recently. The first pastor I ever had said something that has never left me. "Every religion stems from the desire to be wholesome." "If it's true God created man in His own image, then it's also true He gave man a conscience and the ability to be good, with an internal desire for spirituality." He began. "As God disbursed man throughout the land after the tower of Babel, each man took a piece of God with him...."
His bottom line was that as Christians who believe the Bible to be the word of God, we cannot discount the many wonderfully moral instructions and lessons we can learn from some of these other "pieces" of God. The bottom line to his message was that we will get nowhere fast and destroy people along the way if we discount their belief/faith, or lack thereof, and begin to tell them how wrong they are; not giving them any room to share their heart. How about recognizing that their life is just as important as yours, and equally important, they do have feelings.
How dare we treat others with disrespect and discount their point of view. If we take the time to listen, we just might learn something amazing. Paul said, whatever things are good and noble - I can think of a lot of things that are good and noble in many other faiths.
I can just hear it now; some people are thinking, right on Teresa, while others are thinking: Oh no, here is another Christian falling away from God. This is not about giving up our own ideals, and convictions, it's about giving others the same time and respect we desire. Take time to find the good; agree on that, and leave the other things behind. Maybe you will make a difference and have the opportunity to share Jesus, maybe you won't, but the point is you have made a friend - and peace. Remember; Paul also said, as far as it is in your ability to keep the peace, keep the peace.
I thank God for the great things I have learned from others, it has only made my faith and conviction stronger in my Lord Jesus - don't be afraid to give credit where credit is due.
Lord today I will change my negative thinking about:
Heavenly Father, my heart desires that all of us who claim the name of Christ will repent of our self-righteousness, that we would be a light in the darkness and that we would not be consumed with whose right and whose wrong, but that we would let You be the judge. Help us to remember it is Your Holy Spirit that stirs the heart of man. As your word says, Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.
What is it that makes people focus on the negative side of everything? Maybe it's our past, or current circumstances. Perhaps it stems from self-righteousness and pride. Whatever the case, it's clear the tendency to focus on the negative will carry us further into an ever-darkening pit. Unfortunately, we don't go down alone. We pull those around us down as we fall.
Today my thoughts turn toward religion as it has been a big topic of conversation recently. The first pastor I ever had said something that has never left me. "Every religion stems from the desire to be wholesome." "If it's true God created man in His own image, then it's also true He gave man a conscience and the ability to be good, with an internal desire for spirituality." He began. "As God disbursed man throughout the land after the tower of Babel, each man took a piece of God with him...."
His bottom line was that as Christians who believe the Bible to be the word of God, we cannot discount the many wonderfully moral instructions and lessons we can learn from some of these other "pieces" of God. The bottom line to his message was that we will get nowhere fast and destroy people along the way if we discount their belief/faith, or lack thereof, and begin to tell them how wrong they are; not giving them any room to share their heart. How about recognizing that their life is just as important as yours, and equally important, they do have feelings.
How dare we treat others with disrespect and discount their point of view. If we take the time to listen, we just might learn something amazing. Paul said, whatever things are good and noble - I can think of a lot of things that are good and noble in many other faiths.
I can just hear it now; some people are thinking, right on Teresa, while others are thinking: Oh no, here is another Christian falling away from God. This is not about giving up our own ideals, and convictions, it's about giving others the same time and respect we desire. Take time to find the good; agree on that, and leave the other things behind. Maybe you will make a difference and have the opportunity to share Jesus, maybe you won't, but the point is you have made a friend - and peace. Remember; Paul also said, as far as it is in your ability to keep the peace, keep the peace.
I thank God for the great things I have learned from others, it has only made my faith and conviction stronger in my Lord Jesus - don't be afraid to give credit where credit is due.
Lord today I will change my negative thinking about:
Heavenly Father, my heart desires that all of us who claim the name of Christ will repent of our self-righteousness, that we would be a light in the darkness and that we would not be consumed with whose right and whose wrong, but that we would let You be the judge. Help us to remember it is Your Holy Spirit that stirs the heart of man. As your word says, Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)A good prayer Teresa, thanks for sharing.Hi David. Thank you for reading and for the comment. Blessings! T
Wonderful article. The state that Paul was outlining for the Phillipians was a magnificent goal. Why? Because the epistles he was writing were all being addressed to the newest, youngest, most contentious first Christians in the Hellenic world. They were doing all the things that people do. Contend over each others morality, feel "better than", which is the first orgiastic great feeling you get when you just know you are "converted". You pinch yourself, and understand that God is leaning over and speaking to just you.
And everyone else's behavior falls short of yours. And then that "repent and be baptized" feeling gets replaced by the largest drug-like self satisfaction people can feel. They "mature" into knowing absolutely everything. And since they didn't have the internet, they see each other on the street, and at "socials" and after convening --they wonder to themselves, if we are all God's children how can we possibly differ so?
And then we seek the company of the "liked minded" and why are they so smart? Because they are like us! So then the cliquey like-minded folks gather after church (not on the phone or the internet) and puff themselves up and cast self-righteous gazes at Maggie, the new member, who shows way too much of her cleavage, and Malachi who doesn't really help the church members out, and always has the smell of wine on his breath. And then there's those new members who think they know so much about "Paul and his past".
In other words, Christians contend like anybody else contends. And Paul was setting up a beautiful ideal so that the turbulent mind could just focus on peace, joy and loveliness and all those thoughts that might calm down the mind, and leave behind Maggies cleavage, and Malachi's driniking, and Joe's superior air.
Thanks for writing this article. It is a magnificent example of how the human heart can rest in probably the most beautiful new testament scripture, or at least one of them (I don't want to start an argument with all of these people who have their computers loaded for bear. Have you heard about the new digital sect? My computer is more converted than yours?).
Thanks for your wonderful message.
Unfortunately, most people begin many of their prayers like that classic reference from Jesus, concerning the Pharisee: "Lord, thank you that I am not like other men".
Hi Christofer. Thank you for adding this great insight and additional information. Paul gets a bad wrap from so many scoffers, but he taught and spoke of everything Jesus preached and stood for. Nothing goes against it. God used him in such an incredible way, that he, being a Jew of Jews, would be used to bridge the gap between the Jews and Gentiles. It's interesting how he was the biggest persecutor of "the way", then God called to him, he became a believer, and now he is one of the most persecuted and mocked Apostle. Amazing. You are right about your last statement. Jesus and Paul addressed that issue big time. Blessings, Teresa
Well said Teresa.Thank you Steve. To God be the glory. Blessings!
I love it, Teresa!
A few years ago I read a book (I can't even remember which book or who wrote it!) that talked about the author visiting a predominantly Muslim country. He saw neighborhoods full of houses which were not fully built, but with people living in them. When he asked why these houses weren't complete, he was told that Muslims don't believe in being in debt, and because of this, they would only build their houses as far as they could using the cash they had in hand.
The author's point was that this was an incredible conviction that these Muslims made great sacrifices to follow, and even though there are many differences between Islam and Christianity, there are definitely great things that Christians can learn from our Islamic neighbors. To not learn these things only hurts Christians.
It sounds like this is the type of thing you are referring to. And for that, I have to give you a hearty Amen!Hi Bruce. Thanks for the comment. Yes, this is exactly what I am saying. Jesus taught that we should owe nobody anything, except love. The Bible is full of admonishment from God both in the Old & New Testament not to be in financial debt, it talks about working hard and saving money so you have something to give others, (not just taking care of yourself.) Blessings! T
Great article Teresa. It's so important to keep our ears, minds, and hearts open to others and their opinions. It doesn't mean we have to agree with them. Besides who are we to judge who is right and wrong. Like you said, He is the judge.Hello Brianna. Thank you. Like I told Fran, I believe there is a way to keep peace dispite differences. And I do believe that everyone has a right to share the truth as they see it, but to draw the line at putting others down for disagreeing. I fully believe that the Bible is the word of God and that what Jesus said is true, this is how I live my life, share with others, and will never compromise this truth. It's the manner and tone in which I share that I believe makes a difference. (I hope anyway :-)) Blessings to you! TIt is the manner and the tone as you said, but even when we try our hardest there will be those who misinterpret what we say and what our intentions are. As long as we know, that's what matters. Blessings right back!So true, and I have been known to make matters worse by trying to help someone "get" me. I think this is why building relationships is so important. :-)
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