JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to offer our mind to God.
Part of the greatest commandment in the Bible is to love God with all of our mind. This means fixing our thoughts on Jesus, who is worthy of our praise. Our focus is on what God desires for our lives, and the result of that focus point is life and peace.
There is eternal value in focusing on the good news of what Jesus has done for our salvation.
In Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul offered this focus point for our minds-“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.” Jesus fits all these descriptions. Verse 9 tells us that the God of peace will be with us.
Offering our mind to God is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Categories: John Shirk, Staff Pages Tags: admirable, excellent, lovely, mind, noble, peace, praiseworthy, pure, right, thoughts, true
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is wholesome thinking that is focused on Jesus.
The Apostle Paul had the practice of taking captive every thought and making it obedient to Christ. Our thoughts are important in shaping our decisions, desires, and destiny. Words that come out of our mouth generally start with thoughts.
This was what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8, “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.”
Jesus fits the description of these words. When we focus on Him, we are fixed on what is true, right, and pure in our lives. This focus invites the peace of God to shine through our lives.
Wholesome thinking is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Philippians 4:8 and 9.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-thing about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Sometimes, we can be disturbed by our thought patterns. Fear and anxiety paralyze us from moving forward in God’s will. Self-righteousness keeps us from loving people. Complaining thought patterns keep us from the joy of thanksgiving. But if we fix our thoughts on Jesus, a new way of thinking will emerge that focuses on the virtuous qualities of the Bible.
Through Jesus, we are set free to focus our thoughts on Jesus and experience His peace.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com