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's 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 just 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 wherever you go, look for what is good, pure, and true.
Responding to God at All Times
Throughout our lives, we will all experience both suffering and joy. We'll have times of great grief and times of overflowing happiness. Sometimes, they’ll be separate seasons—but other times, these experiences come together.
In either case and in any situation, James expected Christians to come to God. If someone was suffering, prayer was the call to action. If someone was cheerful, people were to pause and praise God.
This might seem obvious, but when suffering clouds our thinking, we can sometimes forget to prioritize prayer. And when things are going well and we're feeling cheerful, it’s easy to just enjoy our season and not stop long enough to praise God for it. But every season of life is actually just an opportunity to put into practice what James wrote about…
When we are suffering, let us pray. When those around us are suffering, let us pray. When we are cheerful or happy, let us praise God. When others are happy, let us praise God with ...
