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—think 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. Philippians 4:8-9
IBM’s corporate motto for 50+ years has been “Think”! After exhorting us to rejoice in the Lord always, the apostle Paul share with us how to do it. It all begins with filling our minds with the right thoughts. When I think about things that are true and noble, pure and lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy… I condition myself to focus in balance on what God is doing in an fallen world. Tragedy, death, sin all occur in our lives, but so do some very wonderful things that are a result of the fingerprint of God on our world. In this way, we really can find reasons to rejoice.
How am I doing with my thoughts? When I can direct my thoughts, do I think on things that are edifying?
God, what a reminder that thinking (and praying) in the Holy Spirit brings me to Your mindset. I want the mind of Christ to be my mindset. Today as we kickoff the Christmas season, I am celebrating the birth of the Savior coming into the world, and more importantly into my world.
