Pastor's Ponderings, May 2, 2016

Think On the Good Things.

In a recent April 2016 Huffington Post issue, an article caught my attention.   The article was titled Detroit All-Girls Team Wins Top Prize At Prestigious Chess Tournament. This is Detroit, the former murder capital of the world, a dubious honor that has been recently given to East St. Louis, IL.  These young ladies winning the national prize in chess is such a powerful statement about the gifts that our youth bring to the table. 

While this team has received many accolades, news of crime, drugs, poverty, terror and general mayhem still dominate our news. Because of what we constantly hear and see in the media, our thoughts tend to be dominated by that negative press.  In fact, the phase “If it bleeds, it leads” was hosted by New York Magazine in the 1989 article titled "Grins, Gore, and Videotape - The Trouble with Local TV News" by Eric Pooley.

The Bible says that as a man thinks in his heart, that is who he is (Proverbs 23:7).  God would much rather we think about the positive things in life; the true things, the things that are just, pure, lovely and excellent (Philippians 4:8).  He does not want us to focus on bad things (Psalm 101:3a).  In fact He commands us to think on the good things.

We hear about man’s inhumanity to man and the insensitive acts that demean others and attack their humanity.  While we should make ourselves aware of the news, we should seek to find the things that are worthy of praise.  Let’s focus on the good things that God has created and say, “This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

What has your neighbor done that is worthwhile? What have you done that makes you happy?  Who can you compliment or make feel good today?  Let us focus on the positive aspects of life.

Proverbs 23:7
New King James Version (NKJV)

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you

Philippians 4:8
New International Version (NIV)

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Psalm 101:3a
New International Version (NIV)

3 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile…

Psalm 118:24
New International Version (NIV)

24 The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.