March 13, 2024
Read Numbers 2, Psalm 72, Philippians 4
Have you heard the saying, “You are what you eat?” Perhaps an even better saying might be “You are what you think.” Let me first say that I’m not talking about some type of New Age manifestation thing where whatever you think you will bring it to pass in your life. That’s not possible and it’s a dangerous practice that I believe dips into the spiritual world of the occult or the prosperity gospel. I’m referring to our mental state and how we think about the things we do. Would you consider yourself more of a pessimist or optimist? Do you think in a more negative or positive manner? Most people tend to think about the negative. This is why negative political ads seem to work with us, because we can identify better with the negative side. A survey years ago said that the average adult has about 60,000 thoughts a day. And of the 60,000 thoughts 45,000 are negative ones. Three of every four thoughts we have on average are negative. We have to work harder to think in a positive light.
The apostle Paul was on to something when he wrote the last few paragraphs of his letter to the Christians at Philippi. He encourages the Christians to, “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” v. 8. You might push back and say something like, “It’s easy to think positive when you are famous church letter with all the influence.” But nothing could be further from the truth. When Paul wrote this letter he was in jail. He was not the popular person we thought. The only reason people wanted to see Paul was to kill him or throw him in jail. Despite everything that Paul endured he was able to think about the good and not the bad because of his relationship with God through Jesus.
The famous verse 13 in Philippians 4, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” is the conclusion to Paul’s secret of how he was able to focus on the good and noble things. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” vv. 11-12. Again, Paul’s secret was, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” v. 13.
What else do you see in these three chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
DId God Really Say... 