References: 

• When the flu gets me down, I punt. My brain will not allow me to do a full episode. Enjoy.
• Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” NLT
  • season -  זְמָן - (zem-awn') - a set time, appointed time  
    • Nehemiah 2:6 “So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time.” ESV
    • In Esther 9:27 & 31 - Purim - “They declared they would never fail to celebrate these two prescribed days at the appointed time each year.” NLT 
  • time -  עֵת - (ayth) - most common word for time
• Matthew 2:1-18; Luke 1:8-20
  • Chronos vs Kairos
    • χρόνος - (chronos) - Mt 2:7
    • καιρός - (kairos) - Lk 1:20

References: 

• Fixing our thoughts - λογίζομαι - talk to yourself, meditate, ponder.
  • This is a plan for disciplining our minds to be like the mind of Christ - see Phil 2:2 ESV
  • Philippans 4:8
    • SO, think [ λογίζομαι (log-id'-zom-ahee) - middle voice verb from λόγος ] speak to yourself about, fix your thoughts upon…
  • Last episode - lovely, admirable
• The seventh focal point (two nouns)
  • Excellence - ἀρετή (ar-et-ay) moral excellence, courageous goodness, or virtue.
    • A quality of God and God’s work that leads to praise.
      • Examples from the Septuagint
        • Isa 43:21 - we were made for this purpose
        • Isa 42:12 - the whole world shows God’s excellence.
      • 1 Peter 2:9 - we are commissioned to show God’s excellence by living in such a way that reveals our having been brought from darkness to Light.
    • A high quality of character.
      • 2 Peter 1:3, 5 - moral excellence, virtue
      • Think about Christ-like character, selfless actions, and anything that displays outstanding moral courage and goodness.
    • Fixing one’s thoughts on excellence calls believers to look for examples of God’s goodness displayed in the virtue of others and strive for it in themselves.
  • Praiseworthiness - ἔπαινος (epainos) commendation, approval, or a thing deserving of acclaim.
    • Compare and contrast praise and praiseworthiness
    • God's works, His redemptive acts, and anything that ultimately brings glory to Him. The verb “to praise.”
      • The heavenly host - Luke 2:13
      • The healed parlytic - Acts 3:8
    • Our works or God’s works in and through us.
      • God makes us praiseworthy - Rom 2:29 MSG
      • The fruit of our salvation - Phil 1:11 - see MSG
      • To the praise of His glory - Eph 1:5-6, 12, 14 
      • Refining of faith - 1 Peter 1:6-7 MSG
    • It's the ultimate litmus test: does this thought, action, or idea deserve to be publicly commended and does it point to God's greatness?
• SO, the 6 adjectives and 7th (two nouns) all 
  • point us back to God and God’s intention and plan to make us to be like Him and represent Him well in the world around us.
  • Give us a discipline plan for being conformed to Christ, so that when anxiety arises, we can trade the worries for intimate communicative relationship (prayer) whereby God gives peace that protects our hearts and minds in Christ.
  • This is a plan for disciplining our minds to be like the mind of Christ - see Phil 2:2 ESV

References: 

• Fixing our thoughts - λογίζομαι - talk to yourself, meditate, ponder.
  • Mark 11:29-33 - you can invite others into the conversation
  • Philippians 4:6-7
    • Trade anxiety for intimate communication with God (prayer)
    • God will give peace you can’t wrap your head around
    • That peace will guard (protect, defend, keep) your heart and mind in Christ Jesus
  • Philippans 4:8
    • SO, think [ λογίζομαι (log-id'-zom-ahee) - middle voice verb from λόγος ] speak to yourself about, fix your thoughts upon…
    • Last episode - true, honorable
• The third two of six adjectives - both hapax legomena
  • This can make interpretation trickier or more fun, depending on your perspective.
    • Looking at other sources of usage
    • Taking the word apart and interpretting from Biblical usage of the parts
  • Lovely - προσφιλής (pros-fee-lace')
    • Things that are pleasing and promote peace rather than turmoil, are acceptable in God's eyes (ie. loving family relationships, acts of kindness, generosity, humble service, etc.)
    • Derivation: from the compounding of
      • πρός - preposition meaning
        • at, near, by
        • to, towards, with, with regard to
      • φιλέω - verb meaning
        • to love
          • to approve of, to like
          • to treat affectionately or kindly, 
          • to welcome or befriend
        • to show signs of love
    • Thus, to show signs of love towards…
      • Jesus
        • Healing (myriad examples) Mk 5:25-34
        • Loving enemies (Mt 5:39 - The Chosen season 6 preview clip)
      • Peter with Cornelieus Acts 10:28-29
      • Paul’s memory of the Galatians (Gal 4:13-16)
      • You’ve seen remarkably loving acts towards another. By whom? What did it mean to you to see this? Fix your thoughts of those kinds of examples.
  • Admirable - εὔφημος (yoo'-fay-mos), commendable (ESV), of good report (KJV)
    • Things that are well-spoken of, reputable, and constructive, actively looking for the good in others and focusing on positive, uplifting news and actions.
    • Derivation from the compounding of
      • εὖ - adverb meaning
        • to be well off, fare well
        • prosper, acting well
      • φήμη - noun meaning “a good report”
        • from φημί - verb meaning “to declare”
        • from φῶς - “light” and φαίνω - “shine”
    • Thus, stories of the light shining well
      • as Jesus’ fame spread (see Mt 4:24; Mk 1:28-29; Lk 5:15, etc.)
      • The Corinthian’s generosity 2 Cor 9:6-15
    • You’ve experienced the light of Christ shining from another believer. Who? How does the good report of their admirable actions affect you? Fix your thoughts on those kinds of stories.
      • Check out Social Media people like @mdmotivator or @joshlilj 

References: 

• Fixing our thoughts - λογίζομαι - talk to yourself, meditate, ponder.
  • Mark 11:29-33 - you can invite others into the conversation
  • Philippians 4:6-7
    • Trade anxiety for intimate communication with God (prayer)
    • God will give peace you can’t wrap your head around
    • That peace will guard (protect, defend, keep) your heart and mind in Christ Jesus
  • Philippans 4:8
    • SO, think [ λογίζομαι (log-id'-zom-ahee) - middle voice verb from λόγος ] speak to yourself about, fix your thoughts upon…
    • Last episode - true, honorable
• The second two of six adjectives
  • Right - δίκαιος (dikaios) 81x in 76 vss
    • Things that are righteous, just, living in conformity to God's standards and treating others with fairness and integrity.
      • Mt 1:19 Joseph was a “just” man…
      • Mt 20:1-15 - the workers in the vineyard. The landowner tells them they will be paid what is “diaios.” The irony is, of course, the first workers feeling like it is un-just.
    • To some degree, we are capable of being δίκαιος.
      • Lk 12:54-57 - Peterson in MSG says “use your common sense.
      • But, Gal 3:10-12 (therefore, Thayer 1.c)
    • So, hunger and thirst for δικαιοσύνη (dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay) righteousness. See Mt 5:6
  • Pure - ἁγνός (hagnos) 8x in 8 vss
    • Things that are wholesome, clean, and free from moral impurity. Focuses on thoughts and actions that are set apart from the corruption of the world. Sharing the same etymology with the adjective ἅγιος (hag'-ee-os) meaning “holy.”
      • 1 Tim 5:21-23 - keep one’s self “pure.” Drink a little wine… haha
      • Titus 2:3-5 - NOT the current time’s revulsion at what’s called “purity culture.” See also 1 Pt 3:1-7
    • To live dependant upon and conformed to the standard of God’s holy will and ways.
      • 1 John 3:2-3 - becoming like Jesus
      • 2 Cor 7:8-13 - “make things right” (NLT), “proved yourselves innocent” (ESV), “with purity of heart” (MSG).
      • 1 Peter 1:16 (hageeos) Be holy [pure] for I am holy [pure].
• Both things that are δίκαιος “right” and things that are ἁγνός “pure” are only fully so by the grace, influence and power of God who alone is perfectly right and pure. Fixing our thoughts on these things is, like things that are true and honorable, fixing our thoughts on Jesus. 

References: 

• Let’s fix our thoughts
  • Philippians 4:6-7
    • Trade anxiety for intimate communication with God (prayer)
    • God will give peace you can’t wrap your head around
    • That peace will guard (protect, defend, keep) your heart and mind in Christ Jesus
  • Philippans 4:8
    • SO, think [ λογίζομαι (log-id'-zom-ahee) - middle voice verb from λόγος ] speak to yourself about…
• The first two of six adjectives
  • True
    • ἀληθής (alēthēs) things that conform to reality, that is what’s REALLY real. 
      • It is not just about factual correctness, but the ultimate truth found in God's Word and character
      • Jesus is the personification of truth.
        • What lies does Satan try to sell you?
          • I’m alone (1 Kings 19)
          • My situation is hopeless (Heb 6)
          • Imposter’s Syndrom (Rom 12)
        • AI mimicking reality: it is difficult to tell real from fake
          • Feeds mimic reality, deepfakes disturb and unnerve, biased narratives provoke.
          • The lie hook gets set when your thoughts race, you share without verifying, etc.
    • Fixing our thoughts
      • What is REALLY real?
      • God’s Word, His Kingdom, His promises, etc.
  • Honorable
    • σεμνός (semnos) people/behaviors that are "respectable," or "dignified" 
      • In the NT this word is never disconnected from someone. It’s not about whatever is honorable, but WHOever is honorable.
      • See 1 Tim 3:8-11
        • Who comes to your mind?
        • Why? Seriously?
    • How much time do you typically give to…
      • “Conversation” that is REALLY gossip
      • Dishonorable humor or drama (think TV shows, movies, comedians)
      • Attention seeking, trolling for “likes” (think social media)
      • Those who want to humiliate others for their views
    • Fixing our thoughts
      • Who do you “want to be when you grow up?”
      • What makes these real people examples attractive?
      • Ask yourself, WWRoJD “What Would Ray or Joanie Do?”  IYKYK
• Finally, λογίζομαι - talk to yourself, meditate, ponder, fix your thoughts.
  • Mark 11:29-33 - you can invite others into the conversation
  • The qualification of “among themselves” is added to the middle voice of the verb

References: 

• What’s all this about six seven?
  • CBS News online reported that dictionary.com chose 6-7 as the 2025 word of the year
    • “a ‘nonsensical and playfully absurd’ slang term”
    • The evolution and cultural impact
  • Not “knowing” makes some people anxious
    • 6-7 has been irritating teachers
    • I’ve seen reports of 6-7 being banned from schools, etc. Can you imagine how trying to ban kids from saying “groovy” in the 60s would have gone over?
• Do I want to stop worrying?
  • Philippians 4:6-7 (haha) is about stopping with the worrying (μεριμνάω - merimnaō verb from…)
    • μέριμνα - (mer'-im-nah): care, anxiety (all 3 synoptic gospels parable of the sower, the seed that fell among thorns was choked out by the μέριμνα of this world
      • From μερίζω - (merizō): to divide, be split into factions (Mark 3:24-25 a house divided, a kingdom divided; 1 Cor 1:13 is Christ divided; Rom 12:3 the portion God has given)
      • From μέρος - (mer'-os): a part due or assigned to one, lot, destiny (John 13:8 - if you don’t let me wash you, you will have no part with me [no share, won’t belong to me]
        • 6-7 is a way Gen Alpha feel a part of something others don’t understand
        • But ALL who are in Christ have a part in the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12)
    • Pray (προσευχή) with supplications (δέησις) and thanksgivings (εὐχαριστία)
  • Where will I find peace? Through vs 6 comes vs 7
    • The peace beyond understanding will keep
      • φρουρέω (froo-reh'-o)
        • to guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight
        • to protect by guarding, to keep by watching and guarding to preserve one for the attainment of something
• SO, a final thing, fix your thoughts on…
  • λογίζομαι (logizomai) middle voice verb from λόγος the noun 
    • to consider, take into account, weigh, meditate on
  • λέγω (legō)
    • to say, to speak, affirm over, maintain, to teach, to exhort, advise, to command, direct, to point out with words, intend, mean
• Living out what my thoughts are fixed upon
• A 4 part series on the 6 adjectives and the 7th (2 nouns) upon which we should meditate

References: 

• Learning to want what God wants can happen through the primary and urgent matter of communicating with God.
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 through Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, Thanksgivings
  • … so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
  • This is good and pleases God our Savior
    • Eph 5:8-10 “Once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.”
    • The undeniable connection is that our commitment to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings for all people pleases the Lord.
    • Doing this demonstrates to ourselves and others the “light from the Lord” in us.
• John 9:4-9
  • φῶς (phōs) - light
    • God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality
      • of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it
      • that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly
      • reason, mind
    • the power of understanding esp. moral and spiritual truth
      • This definition of “light” connects to the opening of the blind man’s eyes.
      • Jesus spit in the dirt and made mud to spread on the man’s eyes
      • When he washed, his eyes were opened. This was not just a physical opening, but opened the man to a new moral and spiritual understanding.
  • πτύω (ptoo'-o) - spit
    • The irony - when his eyes were opened, suddenly other’s eyes were clouded
      • “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?”
      • Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!”
      • The Pharisees and religious leaders are pronounced “blind” by Jesus (see John 9:39-41).
• Jesus’ may open and bring light to our eyes by where and how we are looking in s.p.i.t. prayer (is the acronym a coincidence? I think so. haha).
  • Consider the four types with an example
    • Supplications - look around and ask for what you see as needs and wants.
    • Prayers - look up into the face of God, still your heart and soul and listen.
    • Intercessions - look in and see the heart transformation God works that we may intercede according to His heart.
    • Thanksgivings - look ahead to what He has already done in the future.

References: 

• Learning to want what God wants can happen through the primary and urgent matter of communicating with God.
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 through Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, Thanksgivings
  • εὐχαριστία (yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah) thankfulness, the giving of thanks (Remeber Phil 4:6 & Col 4:2)
• An attitude of gratitude - the blessing and benefits of thankfulness.
  • Thankfulness is something even unbelievers value and practice.
  • Most common prayer entry point
    • Can you think of a time someone didn’t open a prayer with “Thank you God for…” or some version of that?
  • Consider your practice of thankfulness in prayer.
    • We thank God for circumstances
    • We thank God for His goodness
    • We thank God for people 
• Thanksgivings for ALL PEOPLE?
  • How hard would it be to make a list of people for whom you are not thankful?
  • How would you offer prayers of thanksgiving for them?
  • Prolepsis: what is it
    • Genesis 20:3 - “you’re dead!” מוּת  (mooth)  
    • Isaiah 65:8 - “new wine” in the grape cluster
    • Luke 1:68-70 - “he has visited” and “has raised up” - note verb mood - indicative (a done deal before Jesus is even born)
    • 2 Timothy 1:10 - “abolished death” - καταργέω (katargeō)
      • to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency
      • to deprive of force, influence, power
      • to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with
• Proleptic Gratitude
  • Present subjunctive - “so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Tim 2:2)
    • Verb mood - Is the mood of possibility and potentiality. The action described may or may not occur, depending upon circumstances. (see Gen 20:3)
  • Can you give thanks then for what God has already done in the future?
    • Imagine how praying this way would change YOU
    • Put prayers of proleptic gratitude in the context of the previous 3 forms of prayer.
      • Look around at the needs, and ask God to act
      • Look up and listen to what God has to say to you about your requests
      • Look in and see how God needs to conform your heart to His own
  • Look ahead at what God is able to do. Let God open your eyes to what He is capable of doing. Then give thanks for that.

References: 

• Learning to want what God wants can happen through the primary and urgent matter of communicating with God.
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 through Supplication, Prayer, Intercession, Thanksgiving
• ἔντευξις (ent'-yook-sis) noun - ἐντυγχάνω (en-toong-khan'-o) verb 
  • Noun 2X - 1 Tim 2:1 & 4:5
    • 1 Tim 4:1-10 - ἔντευξις = prayer in NLT and ESV
    • “It” is made acceptable by
      • The word of God and
      • By intercession
  • Verb 5X - two negatively, three positively
    • Acts 25:24 & Rom 11:2
      • The Jews “interceding” against Paul
      • Elijah “interceding” against Israel
    • Rom 8:27, 34 & Heb 7:25
      • Of the Holy Spirit’s interceding
      • Of Christ’s interceding
• Consider the root of ἐντυγχάνω, τυγχάνω (toong-khan'-o)
  • to hit the mark (of one discharging a javelin or arrow),to reach, fall out, of he who meets one or presents himself unsought
  • I find this helpful when put together with the positive examples of Holy Spirit and Jesus hitting the mark of accord with the heart of the Father in their intercessions
• For our intercessions, we look in. We listen to the voice of God as God reveals to us through the Spirit and the Word, God’s heart for everyone. 
  • Keeping in mind Jer 17:9-10
    • We cannot trust our own heart of flesh/stone in intercession.
    • We must listen, surrender, and allow God to reveal His heart for our hearts, thus for others
  • Psalm 139:23-24 - Know my heart, point out it’s flaws and lead me in Your way.

References: 

• Learning to want what God wants can happen through the primary and urgent matter of communicating with God.
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 through Supplication, Prayer, Intercession, Thanksgiving
• Prayer - προσευχή (pros-yoo-khay') noun  & προσεύχομαι (pros-yoo'-khom-ahee) verb is the most common, generic word for prayer. 
  • Consider MSG translation of 1 Tim 2:1 “Pray every way you know how…” 
    • In some NT passages δέησις is used synonomously for prayer.
      • Hebrews 5:7 “Jesus offered up prayers (deēsis) and supplications (hiketēria)...”
    • In others, they are used together in the same passage.
      • Philippians 4:6
      • Ephesians 6:18
  • So, let’s think of some of the generic qualities of prayer.
    • It involves at least two, sometimes more, beings (a human and God)
    • It should be thought of as communication
      • Face to face
      • Look up to look into the face of God
    • It is ideally dialogical (consider example of Bartimaeaus again.
      • His supplication - Lord have mercy.
      • Jesus’ response - what do you want me to do for you?
      • His response - I want to see.
• What part of communication in the form of a dialogue doesn’t fit with your NORMAL experience of prayer? Listening?
  • What if Paul used these two words side by side, in this order, to say “Go ahead, make your prayers! Ask away. But then listen to God’s response.”
    • Think of proseuchē as listening to God, being alert, watchful.
      • Colossians 4:2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer (proseuchē), being watchful (γρηγορέω - grēgoreō) in it (in prayer) with thanksgiving (eucharistia - the 4th of the 4 words Paul uses in 1 Tim 2:1).
      • Revelation 3:2-3 “Wake up (grēgoreō)... Remember, then, what you received and heard. 
    • Listening for God and listening to God are like remaining alert, awake, being watchful, attentive.
  • How do we listen in prayer? Actively, not passively.
    • My experience of being still and knowing that God is God. (see Ps 46:10)
      • Listening by God’s Word
        • To recognize God’s voice (Jn 10:14-16)
        • To meditate (soaking in God’s word shapes us from the inside out)
        • To atune our ears to LISTEN
      • Listening to the Spirit
        • Impressions
        • Thoughts
        • The still small voice (1 Kings 19:12) (The Spirit speaking in my spirit).
      • Listening to God speak through others.
• What are we listening for?
  • For God’s will
    • Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
    • God’s irrefutable promises
  • For God’s heart
    • What God wants θέλω (thelō), though God won’t deny human will (1 Tim 2:4)
    • What God desires, even in the face of a blind obedience or rigid adherence to the law (Mt 9:9-13)
  • To atune our will and heart to His for the sake of being ready to make intercession for others.
    • Wanting what God wants
    • Look up.