September 15th 2019
Today Is Friday 13th, Watch Out For Black Thoughts!
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, 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.
What were you just thinking about? Paul suggests that followers of Jesus should try to always have positive thoughts! Paul tells us to think positively by dwelling on positive things, so he wrote, “if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” If your mind is always being directed or redirected toward positive ideas then your outlook will be mostly positive, all the time. Likely the most important thought in the previous sentence is the word “redirected,” because I think many, maybe too many of our thoughts drift toward ideas that are not praiseworthy. What do you think? If it is not difficult for you to think about negative ideas, then you should praise God, right now! However, if you are even somewhat normal, then your thoughts are often needing to be redirected back to good thoughts! We are all infected with a sinful nature since we are living in a cursed world, because of sin. If you want you can blame Adam, but it is very likely you have been tricked by Satan too.
The Bible tells us about a point in time when mankind’s sins became so great that God/Jesus was sorry He had created mankind. The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." (Genesis 6:5-7). Remember, the animals were collateral damage, God had decided to destroy mankind, and the animals were living on the earth with mankind, so they got zapped too! However, God continued to love mankind, so He looked for a member of mankind who could be trusted to obey Him, and God chose to use him to start over with him. But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:8). Therefore, mankind and the animals got another do over granted by our loving God!
In the USA today we hear such terms as “me too” and most of us know what the term “selfie” means! You can even buy a “selfie stick” so you can get a better picture of yourself. We have groups that have “pride” in breaking the laws God has given mankind to lead them through live in an acceptable lifestyle. The Bible (God’s Word) tells us that Jesus loves those who are humble enough to look toward God to direct their lives. Most people today are being taught to be self-sufficient, and thus, to not depend on anyone else. There was a time when we were being taught to not only fend for ourselves, but to also always consider the other persons safety and happiness. This teaching stemmed from sharing a Christian worldview. Not only is such a worldview not being taught anymore, but it is considered a form of “intolerance” and that it should be stopped. So, what brought us together in the past is now believed to be what is separating us now!
Peter wrote about this type of Christian attitude that would cause us to value other’s beliefs to be important and should be honored by younger people to help them gain respect for older people, and thus, for them to be humble. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:5-7). Why should we be humble, you may ask? Peter tells us about how being humbler towards men may help us show our humility toward God, where he wrote, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Paul wrote for us about being gentle so that other people will observe your gentle attitude. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7). Paul tells us “The Lord is near.” So, we should “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” God gives peace to all who attempt to be gentle and helpful to others. Notice how Paul tells us to be gentle to others, and then, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul is now telling us to be gentle, but remember when he was called Saul, he was trying to breakup this new religion called Christianity. I make this point here to show how Jesus has changed Paul, and he is now a new creation, as Paul has been born again.
When a person is born again, they die immediately to their life of sin, and then they face only one death, which is to die and leave this mortal realm to go to heaven and continue living with Jesus Christ. However, people who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior will die twice, as they will die to this mortal life, and then they will die the second time, when they go to hell forever, after they die! Those who are saved through grace are thus twice born, but only die once! Those who are not saved are born once, but they then die twice. The writer of Hebrews tells us we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, because we have been born twice. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16). Remember, this when you are experiencing some need(s) in this mortal lifetime.
The Apostles were fortunate in that they got to see Jesus and spend time with Him during His/their ministry. None of us have seen Jesus Christ, so we have more difficulty in believing Jesus is our Savior. Thomas one of the Apostles had difficulty believing that Jesus really did rise from the dead. John wrote about this incident when Jesus appeared to Thomas for the first time, and what Jesus said to him. Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:27-29). Jesus mentioned us here in this encounter as He said, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Jesus said it about us who have not seen but still we believe.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, 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.
What were you just thinking about? Paul suggests that followers of Jesus should try to always have positive thoughts! Paul tells us to think positively by dwelling on positive things, so he wrote, “if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” If your mind is always being directed or redirected toward positive ideas then your outlook will be mostly positive, all the time. Likely the most important thought in the previous sentence is the word “redirected,” because I think many, maybe too many of our thoughts drift toward ideas that are not praiseworthy. What do you think? If it is not difficult for you to think about negative ideas, then you should praise God, right now! However, if you are even somewhat normal, then your thoughts are often needing to be redirected back to good thoughts! We are all infected with a sinful nature since we are living in a cursed world, because of sin. If you want you can blame Adam, but it is very likely you have been tricked by Satan too.
The Bible tells us about a point in time when mankind’s sins became so great that God/Jesus was sorry He had created mankind. The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." (Genesis 6:5-7). Remember, the animals were collateral damage, God had decided to destroy mankind, and the animals were living on the earth with mankind, so they got zapped too! However, God continued to love mankind, so He looked for a member of mankind who could be trusted to obey Him, and God chose to use him to start over with him. But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:8). Therefore, mankind and the animals got another do over granted by our loving God!
In the USA today we hear such terms as “me too” and most of us know what the term “selfie” means! You can even buy a “selfie stick” so you can get a better picture of yourself. We have groups that have “pride” in breaking the laws God has given mankind to lead them through live in an acceptable lifestyle. The Bible (God’s Word) tells us that Jesus loves those who are humble enough to look toward God to direct their lives. Most people today are being taught to be self-sufficient, and thus, to not depend on anyone else. There was a time when we were being taught to not only fend for ourselves, but to also always consider the other persons safety and happiness. This teaching stemmed from sharing a Christian worldview. Not only is such a worldview not being taught anymore, but it is considered a form of “intolerance” and that it should be stopped. So, what brought us together in the past is now believed to be what is separating us now!
Peter wrote about this type of Christian attitude that would cause us to value other’s beliefs to be important and should be honored by younger people to help them gain respect for older people, and thus, for them to be humble. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:5-7). Why should we be humble, you may ask? Peter tells us about how being humbler towards men may help us show our humility toward God, where he wrote, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Paul wrote for us about being gentle so that other people will observe your gentle attitude. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7). Paul tells us “The Lord is near.” So, we should “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” God gives peace to all who attempt to be gentle and helpful to others. Notice how Paul tells us to be gentle to others, and then, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul is now telling us to be gentle, but remember when he was called Saul, he was trying to breakup this new religion called Christianity. I make this point here to show how Jesus has changed Paul, and he is now a new creation, as Paul has been born again.
When a person is born again, they die immediately to their life of sin, and then they face only one death, which is to die and leave this mortal realm to go to heaven and continue living with Jesus Christ. However, people who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior will die twice, as they will die to this mortal life, and then they will die the second time, when they go to hell forever, after they die! Those who are saved through grace are thus twice born, but only die once! Those who are not saved are born once, but they then die twice. The writer of Hebrews tells us we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, because we have been born twice. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16). Remember, this when you are experiencing some need(s) in this mortal lifetime.
The Apostles were fortunate in that they got to see Jesus and spend time with Him during His/their ministry. None of us have seen Jesus Christ, so we have more difficulty in believing Jesus is our Savior. Thomas one of the Apostles had difficulty believing that Jesus really did rise from the dead. John wrote about this incident when Jesus appeared to Thomas for the first time, and what Jesus said to him. Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:27-29). Jesus mentioned us here in this encounter as He said, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Jesus said it about us who have not seen but still we believe.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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