“Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.” Ps. 47:6-7
“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. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:8-9)
Commentary notes that we need to control what we think. Sometimes we can think that we cannot help unwelcome thoughts. This commentary writes, “The fact of the matter is that we can help it. The secret lies in positive thinking. It is what is now a well-known principle—the expulsive power of a new affection. A person cannot entertain evil thoughts and thoughts about the Lord Jesus at the same time. If, then, an evil thought should come to him, he should immediately get rid of it by meditating on the Person and work of Christ... Everything that is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy is found in Him.” [1]
Proverbs 23:7 says, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he...” People's thought life has impact on them. As mentioned this last weekend in service, when people complain all the time, this is basically what they become. [2] Ken Gaub writes, “The real truth of the matter is that the way we think about those things and react to them makes us what we actually are.” [3] Even when people try to hide their thoughts about someone, it comes out in their disposition and actions. Thought life has impact on our emotions, our body, and our choices.
Ken Gaub writes that we can often detect the attitude of people by their body language and demeanor. He writes, “You can often detect attitude by the tone of a person's voice. It can be seen through his enthusiasm or by a handshake. A person's eyes can reveal much of his attitude by whether or not he meets your gaze directly. The sincerity of a smile reflects attitude. Handwriting also can show attitude. And the manner which you walk and talk and dress indicates your attitude.” [4]
When I was serving communion this last weekend, the message was on thankfulness and there was a man who came up to me whose whole disposition radiated thankfulness. He was even clearly thankful for the gift of communion and the little prayer I spoke over him. What caught my attention was not only his thankfulness but how it impacted me. His thankfulness was encouraging and lifted my spirit.
Ken Gaub writes that it is our choice to get bogged down in frustrations and discouraged when we run into seemingly impossible situations and be defeated, or we can laugh rather than whimper and whine.” [5] Some people let minor inconveniences, offenses or difficulties completely detour them. Others seem to somehow overcome incredible odds and difficulties they face with grace. They have 'feet like deer's feet' that they climb over obstacles instead of being stopped by them.
Habakkuk was someone who found his strength in God in the midst of great difficulty. In the message this last weekend, David Johnson spoke about a defiant thankfulness that was despite sometimes difficult circumstances. Habakkuk 3:17-19 was used, “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” [6]
As John Maxwell notes in his commentary about these verse, where Habakkuk once had fear and felt perplexed, he now had faith in God. His circumstances did not change but his perspective did. [7] Rather than complaining under his breath and becoming discouraged or bitter, Habakkuk brought his complaints before God. He cried out to Him for answers with an open heart and God helped him to see things from His perspective. Seeing things from God's perspective gave Habakkuk the strength and hope he needed to overcome in difficulty.
Too often, I have complained to God under my breath in difficult circumstances, doubting his goodness rather than coming to God with an open heart and asking to see things from His perspective. I have allowed myself to become disappointed and discouraged.
One time after experiencing a difficulty, I went to have a little time out, lick my wounds and talk to God about what happened. When I turned on the music, “All things work together for my good” was playing in the background. This began to change my heart. I began to rejoice as I realized that God already knew all about it and it was in His plan.
It changed my whole perspective as I began to meditate on His goodness rather than my difficulty. As I remembered who He was, His sovereignty and His devoted love towards me, I came to a place of rest and was able to let go of frustration, fear, doubt, and worry. I was able to forgive and come back with freedom to extend grace.
Merlin Carothers writes, “We say we believe in God. But do we really believe that He controls every detail of our lives, or do we think He's off on more important business?... God is controlling everything and working everything that happens for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).” [8]
Paul was someone who modeled an attitude that completely trusted in God's care in the midst of adversity. In the midst of being in prison and “being poured out as a drink offering” (Phil. 2:17), Paul writes, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” (Phil. 2:14-16)
Paul wanted the church to be rooted in God and His love for them. Paul prays in Ephesians 3:17-19 that the church would be rooted and grounded in love, and that we may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height -to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ken Gaub writes, “Some people have a mental malignancy. Their attitude projects trouble. It projects obstacles. It projects fear, doubt and pessimism. It is an attitude of worry. It shows a lack of confidence, and it sees failure. These people permit it in their lives.” [9]
Max Frazier notes three attitudes that are dangerous for us spiritually. The first one he notes is doubt. Doubt questions our beliefs, our salvation, and sometimes even the existence of God. [10] James 1:8 says that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. And in Mark 6:5-6, Jesus could not do many miracles in his home town because of the people's unbelief. Doubt also leaves our hearts troubled. Jesus says in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."
The second danger Max Frazier notes is discouragement. He quotes William Ward who includes in the definition of discouragement “It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow.” [11] Discouragement is a sin that the Israelites struggled with when they were wondering the wilderness. When one is discouraged, they are seeing the bad around them and not counting their blessings in the midst of it. They no longer have the energy to fully engage in their circumstances and lose opportunities.
The third danger he notes is despair. Despair has to do with a complete loss of hope. [12] When one loses hope, sometimes people can despair even living. However, Christ is our hope. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 that while he was afflicted and perplexed in his difficult situation, he was not driven to despair.
Instead of allowing ourselves to be overcome by doubt, discouragement or despair, Max Frazier notes we can choose to meditate upon the names of God. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. “ He notes that the strong tower of His name offers us safety of confidence. [13]
Rather than meditating on our fears of disaster, worries and pessimism, we can choose to practice the presence of God by meditating on His character traits and His goodness towards us. It is our lack of knowing who God is and/or having confidence in God's love for us and goodness towards us that causes us fear and worry.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:25-27, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
We can put to death fear, worry, doubt and other anxieties in difficulty by meditating on the virtues of God rather than our worries and troubles. As noted earlier, Jesus is everything that is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. [14]
As noted last night in a gathering of people from the church of twin cities, meditating on God's characteristics is an act of worship. [15] It draws us near to Him and fills our hearts with peace and confidence as we remind ourselves who He is and how much He loves us.
Knowing God's greatness and His goodness and love for us, we can give Him our worries and troubles and know that He will see us through. We can cast our cares upon Him, knowing that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We can have confidence that He will sustain us and will not let us fall (Ps. 55:22).
Paul says in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
In this place, we can face our problems and difficulties with God's strength. And when we are harmed, rather than meditating on repaying evil with evil, seeking revenge for harm, blaming or thinking about how much we dislike someone for hurting us, we are set free to love. We can begin to see things from a perspective of what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
Whatever things are true. The truth is that someone else does not define who we are, God does. If someone doesn't like us or think the best of us, we do not need to believe that this is who we are. We can choose to believe the truth that we are formed and made in God's image. The truth is also that God loves and cherishes the one who we are in a conflict with or treats us unfairly. He created them and formed them – they are His masterpiece and they are the apple of His eye. When we see the truth about ourselves and others through God's eyes, we realize that we are all His dearly beloved.
Whatever things are noble. Noble has to do with what is honorable or honest. [16] Trust is the greatest reason for conflict and difficulties in relationships. How we build trust with others is by being honest even when it is difficult for us. When we tell white lies or withhold information from others to keep things in harmony with them, we are manipulating and controlling them and it damages the trust in the relationship. And when there is a lack of trust in a relationship, it makes communication uncomfortable and time consuming.
Whatever things are just. Just has to do with what is fair or right. [17] Being fair means looking out not only for our own best interest but the best interest of others. However, in most cases, it is not in the best interest of others (or ourselves) to let others bully us or treat us unfairly. Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is confront others and/or hold them accountable by letting them experience consequences when they are wrong.
Whatever things are pure. Purity has to do with our heart motives. We need to check our own motives to make certain that we are not trying to manipulate or control a person or situation to gain our own advantage. Rather, we need to put these things to death.
Purity also has to do with exposing sin. We are not to go along with sin or hide our own sin in order to make peace or have a sense of harmony with someone else. 1 John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
And Paul says in Ephesians 5:11-12, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.”
Whatever things are lovely. Lovely, as commentary notes has to do with what is admirable. [18] We can choose to believe the best about the person that we are in conflict with rather than the worst. Often what gets us in trouble is that we believe the best about our own intentions when we make a mistake but the worst about someone else. Then we judge them for it, treat them unfairly and feel justified in doing it.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:22-23, “the lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
Whatever things are of good report. Too often, we are quick to share with others a bad report and fail to share a good report about others or circumstances. Most often, all of it depends upon our perspective. In Numbers 13:26-33, when the twelves spies returned from surveying the Promised Land, ten of them gave a bad report of the land and terrified the people. The result is that the Israelites lost faith and refused to enter the land. Only Joshua and Caleb saw the land through eyes of faith and gave the people a good report, telling them they could surely take the land. Also sometimes people give a bad report because they are looking to manipulate or control people and/or a situation.
If there is any virtue... There is always something virtuous in any situation or person we encounter. People have a tendency to either vilify someone or think they can do no wrong. When we have a struggle with someone, raher than becoming overly critical of them, we can look and call out their good points. Everyone has shortfalls. But everyone also has gifts, talents, and wonderful virtues. Looking for the things that our virtuous in them and the situation helps change our perspective and opens the door for us to be their encourager rather than critic. Also, looking for what is virtuous in others and situations helps us to count our blessings.
Paul says in Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
If there is anything praiseworthy. Praise does not have to do with our circumstances. And praise is also not ignoring the difficult situation. Merlin Carothers writes, “God is calling us to praise Him, and the highest form of praise is the one Paul exhorts us to give in Hebrews 13:15: 'By (Christ) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.'” [19]
Praise to God for who He is and all He does can be given continually, in all situations -good or bad. This author goes on to note that we offer the sacrifice of praise when all seems to be darkness around us. As we praise God, we are decreasing in self and increasing the presence of God within [20].
An example of the power of praise is in Acts 16 with Paul and Silas. They were at a dark moment, it was midnight and they were in the worst part of the prison, fastened with their feet in stocks (Acts 16:24). Yet rather than complain, they were praising God. As a result, they were not only set free themselves, but those in bondage around them who were listening in on their praise to God, were also loosed and set free.
Acts 16:25-26 says, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.”
Lord, forgive me where I have been so quick to doubt your goodness towards me. I realize that my attitude towards difficulties has been sin when I have complained, whined, or became discouraged. And too often I have failed to see your blessings all around me and be thankful in the midst of it. You are so incredibly good to me and given me so much. Forgive me and help me to change.
1, 14, 16-18. MacDonald, William ; Farstad, Arthur: Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. Php 4:8
2, 6. Johnson, David, Sr. Pastor. “...and give thanks.” Church of the Open Door, Maple Grove, MN. www.thedoor.org. 7/3/11.
3, 4, 5, 9. Gaub, Ken. Re-Arranging Your Mental Furniture. Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Shippensburg, PA. 2000.
7. Maxwell, John. The Maxwell Leadership Bible, Second Edition. NKJV. Lessons in Leadership from the Word of God. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, Tennessee. 2007.
8, 19, 20. Carothers, Merlin. Prison to Praise. Merlin R. Carothers, Escondido, CA. 1970. Ninety-fifth Print, 2008
10-13. Frazier, Max. “A Strong Tower in the Midst of a Chaotic World.” Village School of the Bible. Philogian. Volume 28, No. 1. February 2011.
15. Anleitner, Paul. Worship Leader. His Presence. Healing Rooms of St. Paul. Redeeming Love Church, Maplewood, MN. http://www.redeeminglovechurch.com. 7/3/11.
Commentary notes that we need to control what we think. Sometimes we can think that we cannot help unwelcome thoughts. This commentary writes, “The fact of the matter is that we can help it. The secret lies in positive thinking. It is what is now a well-known principle—the expulsive power of a new affection. A person cannot entertain evil thoughts and thoughts about the Lord Jesus at the same time. If, then, an evil thought should come to him, he should immediately get rid of it by meditating on the Person and work of Christ... Everything that is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy is found in Him.” [1]
Proverbs 23:7 says, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he...” People's thought life has impact on them. As mentioned this last weekend in service, when people complain all the time, this is basically what they become. [2] Ken Gaub writes, “The real truth of the matter is that the way we think about those things and react to them makes us what we actually are.” [3] Even when people try to hide their thoughts about someone, it comes out in their disposition and actions. Thought life has impact on our emotions, our body, and our choices.
Ken Gaub writes that we can often detect the attitude of people by their body language and demeanor. He writes, “You can often detect attitude by the tone of a person's voice. It can be seen through his enthusiasm or by a handshake. A person's eyes can reveal much of his attitude by whether or not he meets your gaze directly. The sincerity of a smile reflects attitude. Handwriting also can show attitude. And the manner which you walk and talk and dress indicates your attitude.” [4]
When I was serving communion this last weekend, the message was on thankfulness and there was a man who came up to me whose whole disposition radiated thankfulness. He was even clearly thankful for the gift of communion and the little prayer I spoke over him. What caught my attention was not only his thankfulness but how it impacted me. His thankfulness was encouraging and lifted my spirit.
Ken Gaub writes that it is our choice to get bogged down in frustrations and discouraged when we run into seemingly impossible situations and be defeated, or we can laugh rather than whimper and whine.” [5] Some people let minor inconveniences, offenses or difficulties completely detour them. Others seem to somehow overcome incredible odds and difficulties they face with grace. They have 'feet like deer's feet' that they climb over obstacles instead of being stopped by them.
Habakkuk was someone who found his strength in God in the midst of great difficulty. In the message this last weekend, David Johnson spoke about a defiant thankfulness that was despite sometimes difficult circumstances. Habakkuk 3:17-19 was used, “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” [6]
As John Maxwell notes in his commentary about these verse, where Habakkuk once had fear and felt perplexed, he now had faith in God. His circumstances did not change but his perspective did. [7] Rather than complaining under his breath and becoming discouraged or bitter, Habakkuk brought his complaints before God. He cried out to Him for answers with an open heart and God helped him to see things from His perspective. Seeing things from God's perspective gave Habakkuk the strength and hope he needed to overcome in difficulty.
Too often, I have complained to God under my breath in difficult circumstances, doubting his goodness rather than coming to God with an open heart and asking to see things from His perspective. I have allowed myself to become disappointed and discouraged.
One time after experiencing a difficulty, I went to have a little time out, lick my wounds and talk to God about what happened. When I turned on the music, “All things work together for my good” was playing in the background. This began to change my heart. I began to rejoice as I realized that God already knew all about it and it was in His plan.
It changed my whole perspective as I began to meditate on His goodness rather than my difficulty. As I remembered who He was, His sovereignty and His devoted love towards me, I came to a place of rest and was able to let go of frustration, fear, doubt, and worry. I was able to forgive and come back with freedom to extend grace.
Merlin Carothers writes, “We say we believe in God. But do we really believe that He controls every detail of our lives, or do we think He's off on more important business?... God is controlling everything and working everything that happens for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).” [8]
Paul was someone who modeled an attitude that completely trusted in God's care in the midst of adversity. In the midst of being in prison and “being poured out as a drink offering” (Phil. 2:17), Paul writes, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” (Phil. 2:14-16)
Paul wanted the church to be rooted in God and His love for them. Paul prays in Ephesians 3:17-19 that the church would be rooted and grounded in love, and that we may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height -to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ken Gaub writes, “Some people have a mental malignancy. Their attitude projects trouble. It projects obstacles. It projects fear, doubt and pessimism. It is an attitude of worry. It shows a lack of confidence, and it sees failure. These people permit it in their lives.” [9]
Max Frazier notes three attitudes that are dangerous for us spiritually. The first one he notes is doubt. Doubt questions our beliefs, our salvation, and sometimes even the existence of God. [10] James 1:8 says that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. And in Mark 6:5-6, Jesus could not do many miracles in his home town because of the people's unbelief. Doubt also leaves our hearts troubled. Jesus says in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."
The second danger Max Frazier notes is discouragement. He quotes William Ward who includes in the definition of discouragement “It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow.” [11] Discouragement is a sin that the Israelites struggled with when they were wondering the wilderness. When one is discouraged, they are seeing the bad around them and not counting their blessings in the midst of it. They no longer have the energy to fully engage in their circumstances and lose opportunities.
The third danger he notes is despair. Despair has to do with a complete loss of hope. [12] When one loses hope, sometimes people can despair even living. However, Christ is our hope. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 that while he was afflicted and perplexed in his difficult situation, he was not driven to despair.
Instead of allowing ourselves to be overcome by doubt, discouragement or despair, Max Frazier notes we can choose to meditate upon the names of God. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. “ He notes that the strong tower of His name offers us safety of confidence. [13]
Rather than meditating on our fears of disaster, worries and pessimism, we can choose to practice the presence of God by meditating on His character traits and His goodness towards us. It is our lack of knowing who God is and/or having confidence in God's love for us and goodness towards us that causes us fear and worry.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:25-27, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
We can put to death fear, worry, doubt and other anxieties in difficulty by meditating on the virtues of God rather than our worries and troubles. As noted earlier, Jesus is everything that is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. [14]
As noted last night in a gathering of people from the church of twin cities, meditating on God's characteristics is an act of worship. [15] It draws us near to Him and fills our hearts with peace and confidence as we remind ourselves who He is and how much He loves us.
Knowing God's greatness and His goodness and love for us, we can give Him our worries and troubles and know that He will see us through. We can cast our cares upon Him, knowing that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We can have confidence that He will sustain us and will not let us fall (Ps. 55:22).
Paul says in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
In this place, we can face our problems and difficulties with God's strength. And when we are harmed, rather than meditating on repaying evil with evil, seeking revenge for harm, blaming or thinking about how much we dislike someone for hurting us, we are set free to love. We can begin to see things from a perspective of what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
Whatever things are true. The truth is that someone else does not define who we are, God does. If someone doesn't like us or think the best of us, we do not need to believe that this is who we are. We can choose to believe the truth that we are formed and made in God's image. The truth is also that God loves and cherishes the one who we are in a conflict with or treats us unfairly. He created them and formed them – they are His masterpiece and they are the apple of His eye. When we see the truth about ourselves and others through God's eyes, we realize that we are all His dearly beloved.
Whatever things are noble. Noble has to do with what is honorable or honest. [16] Trust is the greatest reason for conflict and difficulties in relationships. How we build trust with others is by being honest even when it is difficult for us. When we tell white lies or withhold information from others to keep things in harmony with them, we are manipulating and controlling them and it damages the trust in the relationship. And when there is a lack of trust in a relationship, it makes communication uncomfortable and time consuming.
Whatever things are just. Just has to do with what is fair or right. [17] Being fair means looking out not only for our own best interest but the best interest of others. However, in most cases, it is not in the best interest of others (or ourselves) to let others bully us or treat us unfairly. Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is confront others and/or hold them accountable by letting them experience consequences when they are wrong.
Whatever things are pure. Purity has to do with our heart motives. We need to check our own motives to make certain that we are not trying to manipulate or control a person or situation to gain our own advantage. Rather, we need to put these things to death.
Purity also has to do with exposing sin. We are not to go along with sin or hide our own sin in order to make peace or have a sense of harmony with someone else. 1 John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
And Paul says in Ephesians 5:11-12, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.”
Whatever things are lovely. Lovely, as commentary notes has to do with what is admirable. [18] We can choose to believe the best about the person that we are in conflict with rather than the worst. Often what gets us in trouble is that we believe the best about our own intentions when we make a mistake but the worst about someone else. Then we judge them for it, treat them unfairly and feel justified in doing it.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:22-23, “the lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
Whatever things are of good report. Too often, we are quick to share with others a bad report and fail to share a good report about others or circumstances. Most often, all of it depends upon our perspective. In Numbers 13:26-33, when the twelves spies returned from surveying the Promised Land, ten of them gave a bad report of the land and terrified the people. The result is that the Israelites lost faith and refused to enter the land. Only Joshua and Caleb saw the land through eyes of faith and gave the people a good report, telling them they could surely take the land. Also sometimes people give a bad report because they are looking to manipulate or control people and/or a situation.
If there is any virtue... There is always something virtuous in any situation or person we encounter. People have a tendency to either vilify someone or think they can do no wrong. When we have a struggle with someone, raher than becoming overly critical of them, we can look and call out their good points. Everyone has shortfalls. But everyone also has gifts, talents, and wonderful virtues. Looking for the things that our virtuous in them and the situation helps change our perspective and opens the door for us to be their encourager rather than critic. Also, looking for what is virtuous in others and situations helps us to count our blessings.
Paul says in Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
If there is anything praiseworthy. Praise does not have to do with our circumstances. And praise is also not ignoring the difficult situation. Merlin Carothers writes, “God is calling us to praise Him, and the highest form of praise is the one Paul exhorts us to give in Hebrews 13:15: 'By (Christ) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.'” [19]
Praise to God for who He is and all He does can be given continually, in all situations -good or bad. This author goes on to note that we offer the sacrifice of praise when all seems to be darkness around us. As we praise God, we are decreasing in self and increasing the presence of God within [20].
An example of the power of praise is in Acts 16 with Paul and Silas. They were at a dark moment, it was midnight and they were in the worst part of the prison, fastened with their feet in stocks (Acts 16:24). Yet rather than complain, they were praising God. As a result, they were not only set free themselves, but those in bondage around them who were listening in on their praise to God, were also loosed and set free.
Acts 16:25-26 says, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.”
Lord, forgive me where I have been so quick to doubt your goodness towards me. I realize that my attitude towards difficulties has been sin when I have complained, whined, or became discouraged. And too often I have failed to see your blessings all around me and be thankful in the midst of it. You are so incredibly good to me and given me so much. Forgive me and help me to change.
“Thou hast given so much to me,Lord, Grow us in confidence of Your love for us. Fill our hearts with thanksgiving and our mouths with praise. Open our eyes wide to see all the blessings you have given us that are all around us. Be glorified in our midst in all situations and circumstances.
Give one thing more – a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
but such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.”
- George Herbert
1, 14, 16-18. MacDonald, William ; Farstad, Arthur: Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. Php 4:8
2, 6. Johnson, David, Sr. Pastor. “...and give thanks.” Church of the Open Door, Maple Grove, MN. www.thedoor.org. 7/3/11.
3, 4, 5, 9. Gaub, Ken. Re-Arranging Your Mental Furniture. Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Shippensburg, PA. 2000.
7. Maxwell, John. The Maxwell Leadership Bible, Second Edition. NKJV. Lessons in Leadership from the Word of God. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, Tennessee. 2007.
8, 19, 20. Carothers, Merlin. Prison to Praise. Merlin R. Carothers, Escondido, CA. 1970. Ninety-fifth Print, 2008
10-13. Frazier, Max. “A Strong Tower in the Midst of a Chaotic World.” Village School of the Bible. Philogian. Volume 28, No. 1. February 2011.
15. Anleitner, Paul. Worship Leader. His Presence. Healing Rooms of St. Paul. Redeeming Love Church, Maplewood, MN. http://www.redeeminglovechurch.com. 7/3/11.
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