September 11 – Numbers 23, Isaiah 22, Daniel 3, Philippians 4

September 11, 2012 by kevinhsu

Observe with some (Interpretation in Parentheses)

Focusing on Philippians 4
In this world that tries to bombard us with so many different thoughts, verse 8 is powerful and helpful
In the midst of so many lies and deceitful things, we are to think about what is true
In the midst of all the what-if possibilities and potential anxieties of life, we are to think about what is true
In the midst of so much temptation put forth by the culture and our own depraved minds, we are to think about what is honorable
In the midst of so much injustice and temptations to take a shortcut or cut corners, we are to think about what is just
In the midst of much impurity and our over-sexualized culture, we are to think about what is pure
If there is anything excellent or worthy of praise (only God!), we are to think about these things
We set our minds on so many trivial, unworthy, mundane, and sinful things
Thinking about the things in this verse requires active effort, not simply passively taking in what this world and our flesh tells us

How Points to Christ

Only Jesus Christ perfectly lived this verse
But, because He did perfectly live this verse, through repentance and faith in Him, we can too
We can have His new-life power to grow in taking every thought captive to the Lord Jesus Christ
The Gospel and the God of the Gospel is the truest, most honorable, most just, more pure, most lovely, most commendable, most excellent, and most worthy thing we can set our minds upon

Apply

Please pray that I would preach the Gospel to myself regular
And please pray that I would grow in setting my mind on the things of this verse

Reflections of a New Creation