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If There Be Any Virtue



"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8

Dear Friends,

Today sitting under the hair dryer I was trying to decide how to pass the time. Should I take a nap? Play a game on the iPad? Answer a few texts? Well, the Holy Spirit prompted me to close me eyes and be still. Then a portion of Philippians 4:8 was brought to mind "whatsoever things are lovely..."  First, I thought about a cardinal.  I get great joy when I see a cardinal. Lovely. I thought about snow covered trees. They make me smile. I imagine God took out His huge paint brush and painted the trees. Lovely.  

Next, I looked up Philippians 4:8 and read the entire verse. I was admonished to think about: true things; honest things; just things; pure things; lovely things; things of good report.  God is telling us that these things  have virtue. Thinking about and considering such things inspire. Such thoughts encourage us to be at our best. The list is one of good and perfect gifts from God.

Finally, my sisters and brothers, consider your thoughts. More specifically, think about what you are thinking about!  The Lord gives us a choice. We can choose to focus on the negative. We can choose to focus on the magnitude of the problem or we can think on the majesty and power of God.

Hearing a singing bird, a beautiful song,spring flowers blooming or a smile from a stranger is sometimes reminder enough to shift our focus and settle our thoughts back to a good place.

Think on these things. We all have our own list of good reports. The list of miracles God has worked in our life. There are also the reports recorded in the Word of God. 
Truly, honestly, justly purely, lovely is the report of Jesus Christ Our Lord.  

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - St. John 3:16

in Christ,

Sis. Stephanie



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