Friday, December 2, 2011

HOW DO I THINK ON THESE THINGS

.......WHATEVER'S LOVELY........

All week, we have been discussing the methodology to a certain mindset when it comes to our view of how God wants us to live our daily lives. We looked at the "Think Positive" movements of Dale Carnegie and Norman Vincent Peale (who are the predecessors to Joel Osteen) and then camped on Philippians 4 in the past few days.


We examined the Foundational Truths which MUST undergird us and yesterday, we looked at three factors in the Formula towards a more Biblical mindset, based on Philippians 4:8. The Bible instructs us to "Think on These Things"...why and how? 


Here now are the final three qualities we must embed into every fiber of our being, in order to accomplish that which we were commissioned to do. Here is the REST of the Story, or Formula...to THINK ON THESE THINGS:


SO LET'S GET TO IT RIGHT NOW - THE FORMULA (Section A)
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.

Whatever is lovely - This one is self-explanatory! Behold the beauty of Creation all around you; behold the birth of a new baby; behold the bold colors of the sky at noon and then sundown; behold the beauty of His Majesty...Just BEHOLD THE LAMB of GOD - JESUS! WOW!
One benefit of behold all of this - you get the focus off yourself and your problems and see things HIS Way, man, it makes the day so much better to live and enjoy!

Whatever is commendable - Basically and in the literal sense, this has a powerful punch. Commendable means worthy of HIGH PRAISE! Can you think of anything or ANYONE who is worthier of HIGH PRAISE than Almighty God, Abba? NO! The other meaning is meritorious! This means God has earned it by what He has done for us: from giving us physical life and all its blessings to ETERNAL LIFE, through Christ our Lord. 
Therefore Praise, Worship, Adore and Love Him, for He alone is worthy! Now THAT, my friends, is commendable!
IF THERE IS ANY EXCELLENCE, IF THERE IS ANYTHING WORTHY OF PRAISE - These two phrases cannot be separated, because Abba Father, by being the Most Perfect Being from eternity past, present and future, is EXCELLENCE PERSONIFIED! There is no one else like Him! 
Therefore, in light of the Attribute of Perfection, which could take a book to describe, He is worthy not just of Praise- but ADORATION, APPRECIATION, WORSHIP, HONOR, OBEDIENCE AND MINISTERING UNTO HIM!

Again, the chief end of man, is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

If you think on these things we looked at briefly the past couple of days, we are way ahead of the majority - not just of the world, but of christians! We are therefore, one step further along the way to being the kind of worshippers which the Father in Heaven is looking for!

Amen


(image by google images)

3 comments:

Derrick Boyd said...

My pastor uses that verse a lot as a signature to the emails that he sends out to us. It uses it as a reminder to think about the wondrous things of God. It was really neat to see you use that same verse and teach on it. God Bless.

http://boydweeklydevotional.blogspot.com

lynnmosher said...

Amen, amen, amen! Great, Bernie!

The Bernie Lutchman Blog said...

Bless you for that very nice word, brother Derrick...this entire passage is totally amazing and blows me away, each time I read or study it!!Thanks for always checking in brother and cheering me on in Christ!

@Lynn - you're the best! Thank you my sister for your wonderful encouragement! I love your writings big time as you know!!

signed
Bubba B