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Posts Tagged ‘thoughts’

Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Offer Our Mind to God

May 18th, 2023 No comments

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

Freedom Phrase-Think About Such Things

April 24th, 2019 No comments

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

Eye On Integrity-Thought Life

August 22nd, 2018 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye On Integrity is based on Second Corinthians 10:5b.

“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Our thought life can have a tremendous impact on the desires of our heart. Author Jerry Bridges has said that self-control of our thoughts means entertaining in our minds only those thoughts that are acceptable to God. We might not always have control of an initial thought that comes to our mind. For example, someone might say something that affects what we think. But then the question becomes, “What will we do with those thoughts? Will we dismiss them or entertain them?”

Philippians 4:8 gives us a focus point for our thought life: “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.”

Walking with a thought life in obedience to Christ is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Moment Of Celebration-Peace

July 23rd, 2014 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the peace of a faith-focused thought life.

In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul listed a number of healthy habits that lead to peace with God.

One healthy habit was to rejoice in the Lord always.

Another healthy habit was to present our prayer requests to God with thanksgiving.

Another thing we can do is learn from those in places of spiritual authority-to listen to their teachings, to watch how they live, and follow their example as they follow Christ.

Verse 8 talks about yet another healthy habit that brings peace to our soul. “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.”

When we think about Jesus, we are thinking of these qualities, because He defines them. When our minds are focused on Christ, we remember that our lives are in the hands of Someone who loves us very much and has proved it at the cross and empty grave.

The peace of a faith-focused thought life is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com