Day 6-"Help me be focused." Phil. 4:8

"Finally, brethren, 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, & if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS." Phil4:8 (kjv)

honest-devout, honorable, grave
grave-important
just-innocent, holy, right, righteous
pure-innocent, modest, perfect, clean, chaste
chaste-innocent of unlawful sexual intercourse, celibate, pure in thought
lovely-friendly towards, acceptable
report-well spoken of, reputable
virtue-valor, praise
valor-worth, bravery
praise-laudation: concretely, a commendable thing
think-impute, conclude

I noticed that all of these nouns and adjectives are very positive. When I thought a little deeper, I saw that the verse is saying focus on Christ, think only on the things of the Lord and His Word. I spend a lot of time thinking on my problems or on things that are contrary to the Word of God, like lustful desires, revenge...etc. I think the reason why we are told to think on the things listed is because God has already taken care of our problems. He has already worked our issues out so what's the point of filling my head with ANYTHING negative of contrary to Him?

Like I said in an earlier post, God promises rewards for obedience. Look at 1 Timothy 4:15-16"Meditate upon these things and give thyself wholly to them; that thy PROFITING may appear to all. Take heed to thyself, unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this shalt both save thyself & them that hear thee." Now I just learned how powerful thoughts are! Meditation=obedience=profit! Not just for my profiting but for the winning of souls to Christ &/or the refreshing of those already saved. Now I'm asking God,"How shall I profit? What do you mean that I'll profit?" Then I came across Joshua 1:8 "This book of law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt MEDITATE therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do (obedience) according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way PROSPEROUS & thou shalt HAVE GOOD SUCCESS." I just noticed a pattern. If I think upon Christ and His WORD, those meditations will birth an act of obedience to Him which will bring about blessings of prosperity, good success, and the saving of myself. (the saving of my state of mind) In my own self examination, when I've meditated upon the desires of my flesh, that birthed sin eventually which resulted in the wrath of God upon me (chastisement)(Col.3:5-6)(James 1:15) My spirit was so weakened as a result;My peace was disturbed, my problems became overwhelming, depression set in...because sin separates us from God. That's why I think Jesus said,"My GOD my GOD why has thou forsaken me?" He took on sin and as he hung there with the sins of the world on Him, he felt disconnected from God. I think sometimes that God has left me when in truth, my sin has put a gap between us...my fault! Praise God He never left. Kinda like when I go to the store. I may leave my house but my house stays put and is there when I return...just like GOD! Time to get my mind right!!!

My Prayer-"Dear Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. Help me to cast down every high thought and imagination that exalt itself against you. Help me to take heed to your word as I think on you. Help me to meditate on it so that I may not sin against you. Cleanse my mind, Lord. When negative and/or evil thoughts come it, put Phil 4:8 to my remembrance. Let not my thoughts hinder my blessings. I've learned that thoughts have power to bring forth action. Let mine be acceptable & pure so that they cause me to obey you and then I'll have obtained my profits as you promise. In Jesus' name, AMEN!