October 9 – Good Thoughts = Good Habits

“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, dwell on these things.” – Philippians 4:8 (NASB)

The letter Paul the Apostle wrote to his Christian brothers and sisters in Philippi is so chock-full of promises and encouraging instruction. Today’s verse is a good one to memorize or post on a note card where we can see it daily. Our minds are under attack daily – even hourly by the devil who is seeking to destroy and rob us of our joy. We have read more than once that we are to rejoice always. Today we read how fill our minds with good things and think our way to rejoicing.

• True is found in God, in Christ, in the Holy Spirit, and in God’s Word*. 
• Honorable “worthy of respect.” We meditate on whatever is worthy of awe and adoration, as opposed to the profane. 
• Right means is to think in harmony with God’s divine standard of holiness. 
• Pure is that which is morally clean and undefiled. 
• Lovely “pleasing” or “amiable.” Believers are to focus on whatever is kind or gracious. 
• Of good repute, that which is highly regarded or thought well of and reputable in the world, such as kindness, courtesy, and respect for others.

We thus avoid the GIGO† in our manner of thoughts.

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* 2 Timothy 2:25; Ephesians 4:20-21; John 16:13; John 17:17

†Garbage in, garbage out (GIGO), What goes into a process will be seen in what comes out. While the term is most frequently used in the context of software development, GIGO can also be used to refer to any decision-making systems or choices where failure to make the best decisions or choices results in unintended and unpleasant consequences. 

April 4 – He Is His Name

“For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.” – Malachi 1:11 (ESV)

As we read the Bible we find that God’s name is to be taken (used) seriously and with much honor. So it is that one of the Ten Commandments instructs us to not take or use the name of the LORD God in vain. What God does for us and for all humans is all done for His name’s sake. It is for His great name’s sake that God will not forsake His people – that is us who believe. Even when we indulge in our own pleasures and when we forsake the straight path He sets before for us.  Even when we trust in our own understanding instead of God and turn from God’s commands in disobedience, He remains faithful to us because he has promised to and He does this for His name’s sake AND that He might make known to His mighty power. That was why God opened the Red Sea for the Children of Israel to cross on dry land as they exited Egypt (Psalm 106:8-9). It is difficult to break the habits we’ve had for years invoking God’s name uselessly but God’s name is who He is and He is worthy of honor and glory. 

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October 20 – Eye Enlightenment

“The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;  The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Psalm 19:8 (NASB)

At first glance one might wonder why the psalmist described the commands of the Lord as “pure.” I believe that the explanation is found in the verse. When we read or hear God’s teachings and if we receive the truth from them, our reaction is joy in our hearts.  Our joy becomes visible in our appearance and others see it in our eyes.  When someone is joyful we can see it in their eyes  We really cannot hid true joy from God.  As the verse says God's commandment, “gives light to the eyes.”  We believe the commands of the Lord bring radiance, enlightenment because their perfect goodness, because they are pure.   That is light in our eyes.  It comes from God’s pure word which shines with radiance through us.  Similar effects happen with our speech and actions but our promise today is the rejoicing and enlightening of our eyes.

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November 13 – See the Joy

“The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”  Psalm 19:8 (NASB)

One of the greatest blessings which God has given us is the Bible itself.  When David wrote this psalm he expressed his appreciation for this blessing in verse 8.  God has given us the Bible to reveal His thinking about how we should live.  This, of course reveals His love for us.  When we read the Bible and are reminded of God's love and His concern for us it does give us much joy.  And when our hears are full of joy doesn't it show in our eyes?  Yes, our eyes reveal our inner spirit as they glisten with joy and that is what David was expressing about his experience.  Let's be sure to pay attention often to what God has revealed to us in His Word.  As we read our Bible or listen to others read it we will experience the rejoicing and it will be seen in our eyes. 

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February 13 – From a Pure Heart

“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB)

You are probably aware that tomorrow, we will be celebrating Valentine's Day. This is an opportunity to remind ourselves and others of God's great love for us and His desire to love other people through us. God has shown His love to us by sending His Son to be our Savior. He also shows His love by giving us His promise and assurance of His presence with us. We have responded to God's love by loving Him in return and by loving people around us. We need to be sure that our love for others is true and genuine. Our verse mentions love coming from a pure heart, loving others not for what we get out of it but just as God loves us. Let's allow God's love for people to flow through us. 

March 16 - Pure and Blameless

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)

When the apostles wrote the letters which we have in the New Testament portion of our Bible they sometimes mention how they were praying for those to whom they were writing. Our verse today is an example of this practice. Let’s just pick out two expressions from this prayer to apply to ourselves today. Paul prayed for his friends to have a depth of insight desiring that they might be able to discern what is best. These are needs in our life. There are things which might seem good to us but still not the best for our spiritual lives. If we allow God to guide us, His Holy Spirit is here with us to help us discern the very best – the result is that we are made pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

October 20

“The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” Psalm 19:8 (NIV)

At first glance one might wonder why the psalmist described the commands of the Lord as radiant. The word “pure” would be a good word too. I believe that the explanation is found in other words in the verse. When we read or hear God’s teachings they do produce joy in our hearts. And how does this joy become visible? When someone is joyful doesn’t it show in the eyes? So God’s Word gives us joy in our hearts and it shows in our eyes. As the verse says, “it gives light to the eyes.” Where does the light come from? It comes from God’s pure word which shines with radiance.