Daily Archives: November 6, 2011

..Lingering thoughts and Meditation

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8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8,9

To the Philippians and to us, Paul articulates the good things we may linger upon. For the lingering on the things that are not good causes stray within the mind and the festering of the soul. It is our duty to pray for all and to strive to love all. But minds and hearts are ill-equipped. However, with God in us – God with us, we have an infinite capacity to pray, intercede, and help those lost find the lighted path of no burden. Shed your pride and be equipped with the help of God. It is in our submission to Jesus that we thus are equipped to try.

Paul lists:

  • Truth
  • Noble
  • Just
  • Pure
  • Lovely
  • Of good report
The work of God can come from the example of those exhibiting God’s perfect plan in some way. Meditate on the things that are further up the path toward perfection and lighten our minds of the burdens on the path behind us or not on the path at all. God’s perfecting plan for us is the path.
Of note: Paul asks us to linger in these areas. However, we must pray for all. Lingering on those things not of good repute, causes the agitation of our minds and distracts our hearts. There is time in our days for supplication to God for those things not of good report. In contrast, it is implied our faith is fortified and encouraged by lingering in the just and truthful, the pure and the lovely, the noble and of good report.
In the First Psalm:
 1 Blessed is the man
         Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, 
         Nor stands in the path of sinners, 
         Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
         And in His law he meditates day and night.
We are given our place to stand and where to linger in our private, meditative, thoughts. Again and important: This does not preclude our service in prayer to the unjust for we are the light of God emanating His way and truth to those whose eyes are scaled, ears are muffled, and minds are obstructed with a powerful force that hold them captive. Be free. Do not linger on the thoughts that will cause festering but meditate day and night on the things praiseworthy. You will be blessed. In Love always…
Rick
Nov 5, 2011