"Dwell On These Things!"

Good evening~

I pray that this finds you ready for the Lord’s day. I have been thinking more on this focusing ‘stuff’. It was easy for that little boy to focus on the door because he could see it. It is easier to focus on what you can see. How do you focus on what you can’t see though? How do you concentrate on what is not visible? How can I encourage those around me who are facing hard life issues to focus on the door - the invisible door?

As I thought about that and prayed for those in my circle of friends who are facing hard times I was drawn to Philippians 4.

You’ve probably heard vs.4 many times - probably more then you want to. “Rejoice in the Lord always..” Can’t say I always do that.

Vs. 5 tells us, “Let your gentle spirit be known be all men. The Lord is near.” 

Vs. 6 says, “Be anxious for nothing (for nothing??), but in everything by prayer and supplication - with thanksgiving - let your requests be made known to God.” Humm - interesting don’t you think?

Vs. 7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Nice to think that as we take everything to Him in prayer - with thanksgiving - He gives us His peace - beyond our human comprehension. And - emphasis on the AND - Do you see it? Do you see what is ours? What is promised to US? His peace will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ. Wow~ All that is ours! All of it!

Now I think we would miss an important part of this if we didn’t look at the next verse. Because I think it is the key that helps us when He feels invisible - when we can’t see the door. Vs.8 says, “... Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise - DWELL on these things.”

When we walk through this ‘thing’ we call life we will face many storms - hard times - things that don’t make sense - things that threaten to change life as we know it. As we take those heart issues to Him - He gives His peace to guard our hearts and our minds. But we still have the responsibility to focus our minds on His character (the list in vs.8) - And anything worthy of praise - which is what we dwell on.

When we dwell on the circumstances around us we become weighed down and anxious for what’s coming or not coming. When we dwell on Him and His word ... well ... I think His peace is much nicer to live with then our anxiousness.

I don’t want you to think that this is easy - it’s not - dwelling and focusing on Him is extremely hard. It’s a process we go through ~ it won’t happen overnight folks! Trust me. I kind of wonder if God wanted this written more for me then for you all.

I am tired so I will close off for now. Humm~ funny I just realized the light is on in the other room - over there by the chair. Think I need to go check it out. Rest well in Him tonight.

Originally Written 1/26/02