He Makes You Good with His Love
January 13, 2015
If Only….
March 29, 2015

These Things

A Gleaming Pearl

I am amazed at how often Gracie goes about her day in songs of praise. The interesting thing is that these are little songs she is making up in the moment. She sang a song a few months ago that had one line in it that has ingrained in my brain: “We just have to think about Jesus Christ our Lord!” That has been the theme of my heart. In the last few years I have been overwhelmed in my own time with the Lord by making a simple perspective shift in how I approach Him and my time “in the word.” I invite you to take the same shift— Think of it this way: The Bible is not about you!

What I am suggesting is that we approach our time in the word expecting to hear about ourselves and what we “should” do— but the Bible is not about that! The Bible is not about you— it is about who God is and what He has done.  But to know who God is and trust in His character means having access to a relationship with Him- which comes through prayer and meditation on His word. No matter what is transpiring in life-  whatever joy or grief- we must fix our eyes on Him. Here is the big shift: Everything in the Bible points to Jesus. Or as Gracie says- “We just have to think about Jesus Christ our Lord!” Let me illustrate…

The Apostle Paul says:

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. (Philippians 4:8)

But just exactly what are “these things” we should meditate on? The answer I would give you is: JESUS! See WHO He is…..…

Whatever is True– John 14:6- Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

John 18:37- “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Jesus is True- He is the Truth!

Whatever is Nobel– Revelation 19:11-16- I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns…. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  Jesus is Nobel!

Whatever is Just– Matthew 12:18-21- “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. … A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.” Jesus is Just!

Whatever is Pure– John 1:29- The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

1 Peter 1:18-19- For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. Jesus is Pure!

Whatever is Lovely/ Beautiful- Philippians 2:5-11- …Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. Jesus is Beautiful!

Whatever is a Good Report/ “Good News”– Luke 2: 8-11- And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Jesus is the Good News!

Whatever is Virtuous (Excellent/ Righteous)- Luke 23: 44-47 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” Jesus is righteous!

Whatever is Praiseworthy– Philippians 2:9-11 God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 5:12-14 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Jesus is Praiseworthy!

Jesus is the answer… Jesus is always the answer—KNOW this by KNOWING Him— He loves you. He IS everything true, noble,  just, pure, lovely, beautiful, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy! This is what it means to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord. Think on these things- think on Him.

As Gracie says: We just have to think about Jesus Christ our Lord!