Let Your Mind Dwell on These Things
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Let Your Mind Dwell on These Things
A number of years ago, I worked in an adult basic education class. Many of the students were immigrants. Many others were there because the court ordered them to be there. With their troubled backgrounds, they often had difficulty concentrating on their work.
During one class, I noted that “James” seemed more disturbed than usual and asked him what was troubling him. He related how earlier in the day he was walking down the street and saw a police car park nearby. He was gripped with fear and began running. The officers pursued him and took him down.
I asked “James” what he had done wrong. He said, “Nothing! I was just walking to the store.”
Then I asked him why he ran. “James” looked confused and said, “I don’t know. I just didn’t want to go to jail again.”
In James’ mind anything connected with the law was to be feared and avoided. Although James knew he had done nothing wrong, his mind dwelt only on his inordinate fears of the law. He had no confidence in his knowledge that he had been living rightly within the law. So we talked about thinking about all the good things he had been doing and could be doing in the future. And we talked about all the good things the laws do for everybody. They truly are a good thing that helps us every day.
We need to think about good things. People who allow their minds to grovel in the gutters day after day soon develop filthy minds. Those who allow their minds to covet all sorts of things will find themselves cheating and stealing to get what they want. Others who allow their minds to build up hatreds towards others find that some day they act out their hatred and end up in trouble.
If we dwell on all that is evil and wrong in this world, we will become discouraged and depressed. In order to remain in the truths of our Lord and Savior, we need to follow the advice given in Philippians 4:8,
Finally, brethren, 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, let your mind dwell on these things.
In thinking about that, God……. is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, most excellent, and worthy of all our praise. To keep things in the right perspective, we should let our minds dwell on all that God is and all that He does for us. Then, instead of being fearful and depressed, we will be enabled to fix our eyes on all the good God has done for us in Jesus Christ — and on all the wonders of our heavenly home that awaits us.
Dwelling on all that is good, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, You created all things in a power and beauty far beyond anything we can fathom — and, Your power brought Jesus to this earth as our Savior, just as You prophesied. Let us always look to Your love and goodness in Jesus Christ, that we may see things rightly.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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