I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
Think About It
Do you ever think about what you think about? Or recognize that your thoughts have power? Or consider how, over time, you’ll become what you think?
Writing from a Roman prison to the believers in the Greek city of Philippi, the apostle Paul knew firsthand the importance of battling hard things with true thoughts. He regularly dealt with opposition, weakness, hardship, and persecution.
But Paul also knew that Jesus-followers were called to a different way of thinking…
“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.”
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Even in a broken world, God has created good things, and He’s empowered us to notice and to praise Him for it.
The apostle James also reminds us that every good and perfect gift is from God, and Jesus tells us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. So when we focus on what is good and truth-filled, our thoughts shift toward God—the giver of good things and the author of all that is true.
Focusing on what is good might look like reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice for you. It could mean remembering a time when you felt God protect, provide, or prepare you. Or it could look like thanking God for the promises He’s kept, and the love He’s shown you.
Following Paul’s advice isn’t about practicing positive thinking—it’s about fixing our thoughts on God in order to cultivate the mind of Christ in our everyday lives.
So today, think about what you think about. Search for a rhythm of gratefulness and worship. Thank God for opportunities to shine light into a dark world. And look for what is good, pure, and true wherever you go.
Justified by Faith
Paul, the writer of the letter to the church in Rome, covers the details of what is known as “the Gospel message”—a message that was handed down to them. It's packed with deep theological truths that are meant to shape the way Christians live.
One of the central components to the Gospel is that salvation comes through faith alone. That means we are saved by the power of God through believing and trusting in Jesus. Every Christian comes to God through faith—not through good deeds or by trying to earn salvation.
Paul says that we have peace with God by our faith in Jesus. Prior to that, we were considered ungodly and unrighteous—because we would live our lives in our own power, doing our own things. This led to separation from God.
However, by faith in Jesus, we are justified before Him. This means that through Jesus’ own right-living, we are made right before Him. Even though we still make mistakes, we can stand innocent before God because of Jesus.
It’s ...
