01-23-13 Focus

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 

 

Ok, so based on the above, we are to set our minds, our thoughts on what is TRUTH (the Word of God), what is HONORABLE (honest and trustworthy), what is JUST (fair and steadfast), what is LOVELY (Who is more lovely than Jesus?), what is COMMENDABLE (worthy of praise). So, why do we let our minds dwell on the lies, the dishonorable, the unjust, the unlovely, the things that are not worthy of praise? Do we go by what we feel or by what we know to be truth? Emotions aren't 'bad', but sometimes they can cloud the truth, like a fog that descends upon our minds.

 

Do you know that just the act of saying the Name of Jesus changes thoughts, the patterns in our brains - which in turn effects our emotions? Try it - outloud. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. HE turns our focus away from our troubles, our circumstances, ourselves and onto Who He is and eventually who we are in Him (and as a side benefit - sends the enemy scurrying away).

 

The Lord does deal with the deep things in our hearts and sometimes those deep things hurt, but have you ever tried to dig out a splinter that was stuck? It hurts coming out. It may bleed - so it gets bandaged until it stops bleeding. The air hits it and it heals.

 

If the Lord is digging as a splinter in your heart (or a thorn), it may hurt for a while - it may bleed - crying is ok - I heard ;) The Lord comes and gently covers the wound with His hand (that was wounded for us) until the bleeding stops. He then uncovers it and the Holy Spirit 'hits it' - fills it with His goodness, love, peace, rest, power, etc... and it heals.

 

I'd rather set my mind on Jesus - how about you?