Journal entry April
14, 1997
Today’s scripture reading, Philippians 4:8-9, causes me to
stop and think.
“Whatever is true:”
I shared some information ‘as I saw it’ yesterday evening about two different
situations that I was aware of. One concerned an elderly lady who kept
violating confidences and reacting to her surroundings. The other lady only
came to God on her terms and as long as it didn’t hurt her to worship God, if
she felt she had to change then she {stayed away and} came back in times of
crisis and only on her terms (looking at the problem, not to God.)
Were these things actually true?
“Whatever is noble:” I
looked up a scripture for a close friend; I gave her an interpretation that
helped me understand the fact of our being commanded to love one another. She
thanked me for the note.
Did God think these thoughts noble?
“Whatever is right:”
As a Christian, I want to do the right thing and I want the right words to come
out of my mouth. I also want to see the right thing come to pass for those whom
I pray for as well as my family.
I don’t know if I always follow through, only God knows.
“Whatever is pure”
I know God is the only Pure One. I strive to be pure in thought, word, and
action. I know that God will forgive me when I fail.
Have I failed God
on this point?
“Whatever is lovely:”
I strive to be kind, gentle, patient, loving, friendly, and joyful.
Does God
see my strivings and does He approve?
“Whatever is
admirable:” Admiration is not something that is negative. Envy and coveting
are negative. Admirable thoughts and words are uplifting and they stay with us
and always make us feel better.
“–if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy–:” These qualities have to come from God. He is
the One who deems us worthy of praise.
Have I
done my duty as a Christian to merit these descriptive words?
“think on these
things:” We have to have our hearts in tune with God before we can get our
thoughts together on these qualities of heart.
UPDATE:
I wrote this
seventeen years ago. I still believe I have to ask these questions as I go
through the process of trying to grow in the LORD.
As a
part of my striving to grow in the LORD, I am spending part of this weekend at
a simulcast of a retreat
for women.
Sometimes,
we find ourselves ‘stalled out,’ not growing, with everything feeling stale.
Nothing seems right. We can’t get interested in things going on around us. It
is then we need to take the time to go to the LORD and ask Him to help us
through these ‘down’ times.
llinking to:/enthusiasticallydawn
llinking to:/enthusiasticallydawn