"Notwithstanding you have well done,that you did communicate with my affliction."  At first glance, this verse appears to besimply a "thank you" for a financial gift. But it is much more thanthat. Paul is introducing a wonderful truth that we might call the grace ofgiving.

Noticewhat he says first: "You have done well." Paul commends thePhilippians. He isn't praising the amount of their gift. He is praising thelove that motivated it. God has always been more interested in the heart thanin the size of the gift. Jesus reminded us of that when He watched the poorwidow place her two mites into the Temple treasury. Others gave much more, butJesus said she had given the most because she gave out of her poverty whileothers gave out of their abundance. God measures giving differently than we do.He measures sacrifice. He measures love. He measures faith.

ThenPaul says something very interesting: "You did communicate with myaffliction." Today we usually think of the word"communicate" as talking or sending a message. But that is not whatPaul means. The Greek word is koinōneō. It means to share, to participate, orto have fellowship together. The Philippians were not merely sending money.They were sharing Paul's burden. They were entering into his suffering. Thoughthey were hundreds of miles away, they were saying, "Paul, you are notalone. We are standing with you." Isn't that what Christian fellowship isall about?

Theword koinōnia, which is translated "fellowship," appears at the verybeginning of this letter. In Philippians 1:5 Paul thanked God for their"fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." Now, at theclose of the letter, that same fellowship is still evident. Their partnershiphad not ended. It had continued through prayer... Through encouragement... Andnow through generous giving. True Christian fellowship is much more thanenjoying a meal together or shaking hands after church. It means sharing lifetogether. Romans 12:15 tells us, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice,and weep with them that weep." When one believer hurts, we all hurt.When one believer rejoices, we all rejoice. That is the family of God.

ThePhilippians could not remove Paul's chains. They could not release him fromprison. But they could stand beside him by sharing what God had given them. Andthat made all the difference. The same is true today. Not everyone can become amissionary. Not everyone can preach. Not everyone can travel around the worldsharing the Gospel. But every believer can have a part in God's work bypraying, encouraging, and giving. When we support those who are taking theGospel to others, we become partners in that ministry. We share in the workthat God is doing through them.

Ioften think about the people who faithfully pray for missionaries around theworld. Others give faithfully each week to support God's work. Some writeencouraging letters. Others quietly meet practical needs. None of those actsmay seem very spectacular. But God sees every one of them. Every act of love isan expression of His grace. That is why I like to call this section "TheGrace of Giving." Giving is not something God wants from us. It issomething His grace produces in us.

ThePhilippians did not give because they were pressured. They gave because God'sgrace had filled their hearts. Theirgenerosity was evidence of God's grace at work in their lives. The same is truefor us. When Christ has our hearts, He also has our hands, our time, ourtalents, and yes, even our resources. Giving is never about losing something.It is about sharing in what God is doing.

Perhapstoday God is giving you an opportunity to share in someone else's burden. Maybethrough prayer. Maybe through an encouraging word. Maybe through meeting apractical need. Remember, when we share the burdens of others, we arereflecting the heart of Jesus Christ Himself. Let's ask God to make us thatkind of believer.

Ibelieve one of the greatest mistakes we make is taking this verse out of itscontext. Remember, Paul did not write this verse by itself. It is theconclusion of everything he has been saying in verses 10 through 12. He hasbeen talking about contentment. He has been talking about learning to livewhether he had plenty or little. He has been talking about being full and beinghungry... Having abundance and suffering need. Then he says, "I can doall things through Christ which strengthens me."

Whatare the "all things"? The context answers the question. Paulis saying, "I can live in poverty through Christ." "I can livein prosperity through Christ." "I can endure suffering throughChrist." "I can handle success through Christ." "I canremain faithful whether life is easy or difficult because Christ gives me thestrength."

Thinkabout Paul's life. As he writes these words, he is not standing in a palace. Heis sitting in a Roman prison. He is chained to a Roman soldier. His future isuncertain. Yet instead of complaining, he is overflowing with joy. How? Notbecause he is naturally strong. Not because he has unusual determination. Butbecause Christ is strengthening him every day. Notice carefully what Paul says."I can..." Not, "I might." Not, "I hope." But,"I can." This is the confidence of faith.

Thennotice the next words. "...through Christ..." Paul'sconfidence was never in himself. Throughout this letter he has consistentlypointed us away from self and toward Christ. TheChristian life has never been about self-confidence. It is aboutChrist-confidence.

Noticethe final words. "...which strengthens me." The verb literallymeans, "to continually infuse with strength." Paul isn't sayingChrist gave him strength once many years ago. He is saying Christ keeps onstrengthening him. Every day. Every trial. Every hardship. Every opportunity.

Thisreminds me of what Jesus said in John 15. "I am the vine, you are thebranches... for without Me you can do nothing." The branch does notstruggle to produce fruit. It simply abides in the vine. The life of the vineflows through the branch. In the same way, Christ's strength flows into thelife of the believer who depends upon Him.

Perhapsthat is why Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ:nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me." What awonderful truth! The Christian life is not difficult. It is impossible—apartfrom Christ. Only Christ can enable us to forgive when we've been hurt. OnlyChrist can enable us to rejoice in suffering. Only Christ can enable us to loveour enemies. Only Christ can enable us to remain content when circumstanceschange. That is exactly what Paul is saying here.

Foryears I have observed that this verse, along with Philippians 4:19, is oftenquoted without reading the verses that come before it. As a result, sincereChristians sometimes become discouraged. They expect these promises to workalmost like magic formulas. But God's promises are always connected to God'spurposes.

Paulcould say, "I can do all things through Christ," because hehad spent four chapters teaching us how to walk with Christ. He had learned thesingle mind of chapter one. The submissive mind of chapter two. The spiritualmind of chapter three. The secure mind of chapter four. He had learned torejoice... To pray... To trust... To think on the right things... To practiceGod's Word... To be content.

Now,after years of walking with Christ, he can testify, "I can do allthings through Christ which strengthens me." Friend, whatever God asksyou to face today... whatever burden He allows you to carry...  Whatever trial He asks you to endure...Whatever opportunity He places before you... You do not have to face it alone.

TheChrist who saved you will strengthen you. His grace is sufficient. His strengthis made perfect in weakness. And because He is enough, you can faithfully dowhatever He calls you to do.

Today we continue ourstudy in Philippians chapter 4. Yesterday in verse 11, Paul told us one of thegreatest secrets of the Christian life: "I have learned, in whatsoeverstate I am, therewith to be content." Today in verse 12 he explainswhere that lesson was learned. "I know how to be abased, and I know howto abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and tobe hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

Paulis describing a life that has experienced every extreme. He says, "Iknow..." That word is important. He doesn't say, "I've heardabout these things." He doesn't say, "I've read about them." Hesays, "I know." These are lessons learned through personalexperience. Paul had lived on both sides of life's circumstances.

Heknew how to be abased. The word means to be brought low, humbled, or to livewith very little. Paul knew what it was like to be hungry. He knew what it waslike to be cold. He knew what it was like to be beaten, imprisoned,misunderstood, and rejected. He had slept in prison cells and spent sleeplessnights at sea. He had experienced loneliness, pain, and persecution.

ButPaul also knew how to abound. There were times when God supplied every needabundantly. There were seasons of fruitful ministry. Churches were planted.People were saved. Friends encouraged him. Believers generously supplied hisneeds, just as the Philippians were doing now. Paul understood something thatmany Christians never learn. It takes as much grace to handle prosperity as itdoes adversity. Some people fall apart when trouble comes. Others becomespiritually careless when blessings come. Adversity can make us bitter.Prosperity can make us proud. Both are dangerous if Christ is not the center ofour lives.

NoticePaul says, "Everywhere and in all things..." Literally, inevery place and in every circumstance. Whether traveling across Asia Minor...Standing before governors... Preaching in synagogues... Working as atentmaker... Sitting in a Roman prison... God was teaching him the same lesson.Then he says something fascinating: "I am instructed..." Theexpression literally carries the thought of being initiated into a mystery.Paul is saying, "God has taught me a secret." What is that secret? Itis not that circumstances no longer matter. It is that circumstances no longercontrol him. There is a tremendous difference.

Paulwas not living under his circumstances. He was living above them. Someone onceasked an elderly Christian, "How are you doing under yourcircumstances?" He smiled and replied, "What am I doing under them?God never intended me to live there!" That simple answer contains aprofound truth. As believers, we do not deny our circumstances. We do notpretend pain doesn't hurt. We do not ignore disappointments. But neither do weallow those circumstances to dictate our joy, our peace, or our confidence inGod. We live above them because Christ lives within us.

Thecircumstances around us may change daily. But the Christ within us neverchanges. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, andtoday, and forever."

Perhapsthat is why the Apostle Paul could write in 2 Corinthians 4:17, "Forour light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far moreexceeding and eternal weight of glory." He wasn't minimizingsuffering. He was comparing it with eternity. When we focus only on today'scircumstances, life can become discouraging. When we remember that God isworking an eternal purpose, our perspective changes. Corrie ten Boom once said,"If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within,you'll be depressed. If you look at Christ, you'll be at rest." How true! TheChristian life is not about escaping difficult circumstances. It is aboutexperiencing the presence of Christ in the middle of them. And it is not aboutbecoming independent of circumstances. It is about becoming dependent uponChrist.

Philippians4:11: "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned inwhatever state I am, to be content.” Immediately Paul wants the Philippiansto understand something. He is not thanking them because he was desperate formoney. He says, "Not that I speak in respect of want." Paulcertainly appreciated their generous gift, but his joy did not depend uponwhether he had plenty or little. His happiness was not tied to his bankaccount, his circumstances, or his physical comfort.

Thenhe makes one of the most remarkable statements in Scripture: "For Ihave learned...".  Noticecarefully what Paul does not say. He does not say, "I was borncontent." He does not say, "I have always been content." He doesnot say, "Contentment came naturally to me." No. He says, "Ihave learned." That one word is full of encouragement. Contentment is nota personality trait. It is not something only optimistic people possess. It isnot the result of favorable circumstances. It is something that every believermust learn in the school of God.

Justas a child learns to read one lesson at a time, so God patiently teaches Hischildren contentment one experience at a time. Each circumstancebecame another classroom where God taught Paul to trust Christ.

Godoften teaches us His greatest lessons in the classrooms we would never choosefor ourselves. None of us naturally enjoys trials. None of us asks forsuffering. Yet many of the deepest truths we know about God's faithfulnesscould never have been learned any other way. James tells us in James 1:2-3: “Mybrethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that thetesting of your faith produces patience.” Peter reminds us that the trialof our faith is more precious than gold in 1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this yougreatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have beengrieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much moreprecious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found topraise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Godis never wasting our hardships. He is teaching us something that prosperityalone could never teach. Notice the next phrase. "...in whatsoeverstate I am..." Paul is not talking about geography. He is not speakingabout whether he is in Philippi, Ephesus, Corinth, or Rome, North Caolina orVirginia. He is talking about every circumstance of life. Whether life is easyor difficult. Whether his needs are met abundantly or barely. Whether he isfree or imprisoned. Whether he is applauded or criticized. In every situation,God had been teaching him.

Thencomes the great lesson. "...therewith to be content." The word"content" carries the idea of being inwardly sufficient, satisfied,and at rest. For the Christian, however, our sufficiency is not found inourselves. Our sufficiency is found in Christ. As Paul wrote elsewhere in 2Corinthians 3:5, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves... but oursufficiency is of God." The world says, "You will be content whenyou get more." God says, "You will be content when you discover thatChrist is enough." The world constantly tells us that happiness is justone purchase away. One promotion away. One new possession away. One bettercircumstance away. But once we obtain those things, we soon discover that theycannot satisfy the deepest needs of the heart. Only Christ can do that. Augustinewrote many centuries ago, "Our hearts are restless until they find theirrest in Thee." How true that is!

Perhapstoday God has enrolled you in the school of contentment. Maybe your lessoninvolves waiting. Perhaps it involves illness. Financial pressure.Disappointment. Or unanswered questions. Do not despise the classroom. YourHeavenly Father is an excellent Teacher. Every lesson has a purpose. Everyassignment has eternal value. Every trial is designed to make you more like HisSon.

“But I rejoiced in the Lordgreatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though yousurely did care, but you lacked opportunity.”

Rememberwhere Paul is as he writes these words. He is under house arrest in Rome. Hehas been separated from the Philippian believers for several years. During thattime they had desired to help him, but because of distance, persecution, andlimited means of communication, they simply had no opportunity. Then God openeda door. The church gathered an offering and sent one of their own members,Epaphroditus, on the long journey from Philippi to Rome. It was a dangeroustrip of nearly eight hundred miles. Along the way Epaphroditus became seriouslyill and nearly died, yet he faithfully completed the mission God had given him.Through this faithful servant, the Philippian believers sent not only financialhelp but also encouragement, love, and fellowship to Paul.

NoticePaul's first response. "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly." Hedid not merely rejoice because money had arrived. He rejoiced because he sawGod's hand behind the gift. His joy was centered "in the Lord." Thatlittle phrase appears throughout Philippians. Paul teaches us again and againthat our joy is never to be rooted in circumstances but in Christ Himself. Paulunderstood that people may give the gift, but God is always the Provider. Jamesreminds us, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, andcomes down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17). David declared inPsalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Paulsaw every provision of life as coming from the loving hand of his HeavenlyFather.

Noticeanother beautiful expression. "Your care of me has flourishedagain." The word "flourished" pictures a plant thatblooms again after winter. The Philippians' love for Paul had never died. Ithad simply lacked an opportunity to express itself. Now their concern hadblossomed into visible action once more. How encouraging that must have been!

Sometimeswe wrongly conclude that people no longer care because we have not heard fromthem for a while. But circumstances often prevent people from expressing whatis really in their hearts. Paul quickly removes any misunderstanding by saying," though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.” In other words,"I know you have cared all along. You simply had no way to help."What grace! Paul refuses to criticize them. He refuses to question theirmotives. He gives them the benefit of the doubt. Wouldn't our relationships behealthier if we did the same? How many misunderstandings could be avoided if weassumed the best instead of the worst? Remember 1 Corinthians 13: Love "believesall things" and "hopes all things." Love looks forreasons to trust rather than reasons to doubt.

Thereis another wonderful lesson here. God's timing is always perfect. The gift didnot arrive early. It did not arrive late. It arrived exactly when God knew Paulneeded it. Our Heavenly Father is never in a hurry, but He is never behindschedule. Abraham learned that on Mount Moriah when God provided the ram. Israellearned it in the wilderness when manna appeared every morning. Elijah learnedit beside the brook Cherith and later through the widow of Zarephath. Paul nowexperiences that same faithful provision in a Roman prison.

Perhapstoday you are waiting on God. You have prayed. You have trusted Him. Yet theanswer has not yet come. Take courage. If God knows how to feed the sparrowsand clothe the lilies of the field, He certainly knows how to care for His ownchildren. Often God's delays are not God's denials. He is preparing both theprovision and the person who will receive it.

When our eyes are fixed on Christ, every blessing becomes anotherreminder of His faithfulness. When we recognize that every good thing comesfrom His loving hand, gratitude replaces anxiety, and joy replaces worry.

Philippians 4:9:"Those things, which ye have both learned, andreceived, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be withyou."  

Noticethe little command near the end of the verse: "Do." One simple word.Christianity was never intended to be merely something we know. It is somethingwe live. James reminds us of this in James 1:22, "But be you doers ofthe word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."  Knowledge without obedience only producesdeception. The goal of Bible study is never simply information. It istransformation.

Paulreminds the Philippians of four ways they had received God's truth. First, theyhad learned it. That speaks of careful instruction. For several years Paul hadtaught these believers the Word of God. Second, they had received it. Thatmeans they welcomed it and accepted it as God's truth. Hearing truth is onething. Receiving truth is another. Third, they had heard it. Again and againthey listened as Paul preached Christ. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing bythe Word of God.

Butthen Paul adds something remarkable. They had seen it in him. Paul wasn'tasking them to imitate a perfect man. He was asking them to follow a faithfulexample. He had already written in chapter 3:17, "Brethren, befollowers together of me." Not because Paul was perfect. In fact, hehad just admitted in chapter 3 that he had not already attained. But he wassincerely following Christ.

Someonehas wisely said, "People may doubt what you say, but they usually believewhat you do." Augustine said, “Preach the Gospel, preach the Gospel, andif necessary use words”. Our lives either reinforce our message or contradictit. Paul could boldly say, "You've heard me preach it, and you've watchedme live it."

Whata challenge for every Christian. Our children are watching us. Ourgrandchildren are watching us. Our neighbors are watching us. The people wework beside are watching us. Our lives become living sermons every single day.

Paulthen gives this simple command: "Do." Put it into practice. Practicewhat you have learned. Practice what you believe. Practice what God has shownyou. Someone once said that the distance between heaven and earth is only abouteighteen inches—the distance from the head to the heart. But I might add thereis another distance—from the heart to the hands and feet. God wants His truthto move from our minds, to our hearts, and finally into our daily lives. TheChristian life is learned one step of obedience at a time.

Thennotice the wonderful promise. Paul does not simply say that the peace of Godwill guard you. He now says, "The God of peace shall be with you."Back in verse 7, Paul promised the peace of God. Now he promises thepresence of the God of peace. What could be better than that? When we walk injoyful obedience, we enjoy the fellowship of God's presence in a very real way.The greatest blessing of obedience is not merely answered prayer, or even innerpeace. The greatest blessing is that we experience the nearness of God Himself.Jesus said in John 14:21, "He that has my commandments, and keeps them,he it is that loves me... and I will love him, and will manifest myself tohim." May each of us not merely know God's Word. May we live God'sWord.

Asthe old hymn reminds us, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to behappy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Let'spray.  Heavenly Father, thank You forgiving us Your precious Word. Help us not to be hearers only, but doers of YourWord. May the truths we learn each day shape the way we live, the way we speak,and the way we love others. Help us to be examples of faithful followers ofChrist so that others will see Jesus in us. Thank You for the wonderful promisethat as we walk in obedience, the God of peace will be with us. May we enjoyYour presence every day of our lives. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus.Amen.

Over the past several days, we have been looking at one ofthe most important subjects in the Christian life, and that is the battle forthe mind. Today, we want to conclude our thoughts on Philippians 4:4–8 andbegin looking at verse 9. Paul has written in verse 8, “Finally, brethren,whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just,whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are ofgood report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on thesethings.”

Paulhas reminded us over and over again that our thoughts matter. Today, we want toleave you with one simple statement that I trust you will always remember: Youcannot consistently live above the level of your thinking.

Aswe have walked through Philippians together from chapter 1 all the way to thispoint, I've become increasingly aware that Paul is building a carefullyconnected argument. Sometimes we preach verses individually, and rightly so.But when you follow Paul's flow of thought verse by verse, you see thebeautiful progression that the Holy Spirit has inspired. Notice in Philippians4:4–9 how they fit together:

Verse4—a joyful spirit: “Rejoice in the Lord always.”

Verse5—a gentle spirit: “Let your moderation be known unto all men.”

Verse6—a prayerful spirit: “Be careful for nothing.”

Verse7—a peaceful heart: “The peace of God... shall keep your hearts and minds.”

Verse8—a disciplined mind: “Think on these things.”

Then,in verse 9, we'll see an obedient life: “Those things... do.”

It'sreally like a staircase. Joy leads to gentleness. Gentleness leads to prayer.Prayer leads to peace. Peace prepares the mind. The renewed mind producesobedient thinking and living. The obedient life results in what we see verse 9promises—a continued fellowship with the God of peace.

Idon't think it's incidental that the Apostle Paul changes expressions. In verse7, he promises the peace of God. In verse 9, he promises the God of peace.There's a subtle but profound difference in these two. When we pray, the peaceof God guards us. When we obey, the God of peace walks with us. That may becomeone of the key thoughts of this entire chapter.

Anotherobservation that has stayed with me all week is the progression throughout thewhole book of Philippians that we mentioned earlier in our study.

Chapter1—the single mind: Christ first.

Chapter2—the submissive mind: the mind of Christ in humility.

Chapter3—the spiritual mind: pressing toward Christ instead of trusting the flesh.

Thenchapter 4—the settled mind, or the secured mind: free from worry because it'sfilled with prayer, peace, and right living. Oh, what a beautiful progression!

Now,one final thought before we finish our study on verses 4–8 and begin looking atverse 9. In verse 9, Paul gives us five verbs: “Those things, which ye haveboth learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do.” We see here thecomplete process of discipleship. You learn truth. You receive truth.You hear truth repeatedly. You see truth lived in someone else'slife. Then you do the truth yourself.

Overmy 50 years of ministry, that's what we've attempted to do—to hear this truth,to receive it, to let it live in us as we meditate on it, and then to live itout before others around us. Paul said, “You have seen in me.”Paul set an example, and so should we.

Let'spray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and for reminding us howimportant our thoughts are. Forgive us for the times we've allowed fear andworry and bitterness and impurity and discouragement to control our thinking. Helpus to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ.Renew our minds through Your Word. Help us to think on those things that aretrue, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. May our right thinkinglead to right living. May our lives bring honor and glory to You always. Wepray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Welcometo Pastor's Chat. Today we conclude our study of Philippians 4:8. For the pastseveral days we have carefully walked through this remarkable verse. Paul hasgiven us a divine pattern for guarding our minds. He has taught us to think onthings that are True... Honorable... Just... Pure... Lovely... Of Good Report...Full of Virtue... And Worthy of Praise. But before we leave this verse, I wantus to step back and see the big picture.

Paulis not merely giving us a list. He is describing the mind of Christ. Earlier inthis letter, in Philippians 2:5, Paul wrote, "Let this mind be in you,which was also in Christ Jesus." Now, in chapter 4, he shows us whatthat mind looks like. Everything on this list perfectly describes our LordJesus Christ. He is Truth. Everything about Him is honorable. Everything Hedoes is just. He is absolutely pure. His life is altogether lovely. EverythingHe says is of good report. He is the very definition of virtue. He alone isworthy of all praise. The more we think about Christ... The more we become likeChrist.

Paulunderstood something we often forget. Our lives move in the direction of ourthoughts. That is why verse 8 comes before verse 9. First comes right thinking.Then comes right living. Listen to the opening words of verse 9: "Thosethings, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me,do..."

Noticethe progression. Think... Then do. Meditate... Then practice. Truth believedbecomes truth lived.

Foryears I have been reminded that the Christian life is much like building ahouse. Our thoughts are the foundation. Our words become the framework. Ouractions build the walls. Our habits put on the roof. Our character becomes thefinished house. Everything begins with the foundation. No wonder Solomon wrote,"For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)

Thebattle for the Christian life is truly the battle for the mind. That battle isbeing fought every day. It is fought by what we watch. What we read. What welisten to. What we meditate upon. What we allow to remain in our thoughts. Thewonderful news is that God has not left us defenseless. He has given us HisHoly Spirit. He has given us His Word. He has given us the privilege of prayer.

Inverse 7 He promises the peace of God to guard our hearts.

Inverse 8 He gives us the truth of God to guard our minds.

Tomorrow,in verse 9, He gives us the God of peace to guide our lives.

Whata beautiful progression! The peace of God guards our hearts. The truth of Godguards our minds. The God of peace guides our lives.

Friend,this week, why not memorize Philippians 4:8? Write it on a card. Read it everymorning. Pray through each phrase. Use it as a filter for every thought thatenters your mind. As you do, you'll discover that God is not merely changingwhat you think. He is changing who you are. And when our minds become more likeChrist, our lives will become more like Christ. That is the goal of theChristian life.

Tomorrowwe'll begin looking at verse 9 and discover that God's truth is never meantmerely to be admired. It is meant to be practiced.

Let’sPray: Heavenly Father, thank You for this wonderful passage that teaches us howto guard our minds. Thank You for giving us the perfect example of the LordJesus Christ. May His mind increasingly become our mind. Help us to think Yourthoughts, love what You love, reject what dishonors You, and faithfullypractice what You teach us. May our lives point others to our wonderful Savior.In His precious name we pray. Amen.

Godbless and may you have a wonderful wonderful day!

"The Pursuit ofMoral Excellence"

Philippians 4:8

Welcometo Pastor's Chat. Today we come to the final two descriptions in Paul'swonderful list found in Philippians 4:8. "Finally, brethren, whateverthings are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whateverthings are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of goodreport; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on thesethings." Notice how Paul begins to summarize everything he has justwritten. "If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise."

Theword virtue speaks of moral excellence. It describes the highest qualities ofChristian character. It is the kind of life that reflects the excellence ofJesus Christ Himself. Peter uses this same word in 2 Peter 1:3 when he tells usthat God has called us "to glory and virtue." Then in verse 5he challenges us, "Giving all diligence, add to your faithvirtue..." God never saved us simply to escape hell. He saved us sothat our lives would increasingly reflect the character of His Son. That is whyPaul tells us to fill our minds with whatever is morally excellent.

Thesecond phrase is, "If there be any praise..." This is notspeaking primarily about receiving praise from people. It speaks of whatever isworthy of approval before God. We should ask ourselves this question: "IfJesus were sitting beside me, would He approve of what I am thinking aboutright now?" That one question can become a powerful guide for dailyliving.

Aswe have studied this verse together, Paul has given us a wonderful checklistfor every thought that enters our minds. Is it true? Is it honorable? Is itjust? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it of good report? Does it demonstrate moralexcellence? Would it receive God's approval? If the answer is yes... Paul says,"Think on these things."

Thewords “think on” mean much more than having a passing thought. They meanto continually dwell upon these things. To weigh them carefully. Tointentionally fill your mind with them.

Godmade us in such a way that our minds cannot think two thoughts at the sametime. If we are thinking what we should be thinking, we cannot be thinking whatwe shouldn’t be thinking. Our minds are never neutral. If we do notdeliberately fill them with God's truth, the world will gladly fill them withits own values.

Thatis why daily time in God's Word is not optional. It is essential. The psalmistwrote, "Blessed is the man... whose delight is in the law of the LORD;and in His law doth he meditate day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2). Noticethe word meditate. God never intended His Word to be merely read. He intendedit to be pondered. Turned over in our minds. Applied to our lives. As wemeditate on God's truth, the Holy Spirit gradually transforms our thinking. Themore we think like Christ... The more we live like Christ.

Yearsago, someone wisely observed, "You are today where your thoughts havebrought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you." There ismuch truth in that statement. Our thoughts shape our choices. Our choices shapeour habits. Our habits shape our character. Our character shapes our influence.

Thatis why the battle for the Christian life is first won or lost in the mind.

Today,determine to make Philippians 4:8 your daily filter. Before you entertain athought, run it through Paul's checklist. If it passes...Think on it. If itfails... Replace it with the truth of God's Word.

Let’sPray: Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to lives of moral excellence.Help us to measure every thought by Your holy Word. Renew our minds day by dayuntil our thinking reflects the mind of Christ. May our lives become worthy ofYour approval and useful for Your glory. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

Godbless and may you have a wonderful wonderful day!

"Whatever things are lovely...""Whatever things are of good report..."

 The word lovely means that which is pleasing, gracious, winsome,and worthy of love. It describes whatever draws us toward God's goodnessinstead of pulling us toward sin.

Thephrase "of good report" speaks of that which is admirable,commendable, reputable, and worthy of being spoken well of. Together thesewords teach us an important lesson. The Christian life is not merely aboutavoiding evil. It is also about delighting in what is beautiful. Sometimesbelievers become so focused on everything that is wrong with the world thatthey forget to enjoy everything that God has made right. Think about thebeautiful gifts God has placed all around us.

Thebeauty of His creation. A sunrise that reminds us of His faithfulness. Thesound of children laughing. A godly marriage that reflects Christ's love. Afaithful church family. The testimony of a missionary. The faithfulness of anelderly saint who has walked with God for decades. The joy of seeing someonetrust Christ as Savior. These are the kinds of things Paul says should occupyour minds.

Davidoften filled his heart by meditating on God's works. Psalm 19 begins, "Theheavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handywork." Creationitself points us to the greatness of our Creator. Every beautiful flower. Everymountain. Every ocean wave. Every star in the night sky reminds us that our Godis both powerful and good. No wonder David could say in Psalm 27:4,"One thing have I desired of the LORD... that I may behold the beauty ofthe LORD."

Thinkabout that phrase. The beauty of the Lord. The loveliest person in all theuniverse is the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything about Him is beautiful. Hiscompassion. His humility. His holiness. His mercy. His grace. His truth. Hislove. The more we meditate on Christ, the more our own lives begin to reflectHis beauty. This also affects the way we listen to others and speak aboutothers.

Paulsays to think on things that are of good report. Our world thrives on bad news.Every day the headlines remind us of crime, disasters, conflict, corruption,and tragedy. Social media often magnifies criticism, arguments, gossip, andoutrage. If we're not careful, we can become so absorbed with everything thatis wrong that we forget all that God is doing that is right. That doesn't meanwe ignore reality. It means we refuse to let negativity become the atmospherein which our minds continually live.

Paulis teaching us to intentionally notice God's grace. Notice answered prayer.Notice faithful servants. Notice transformed lives. Notice opportunities toencourage someone. Notice evidences of God's goodness. Hebrews 10:24 says, "Andlet us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works."We should become students of encouragement. Instead of looking for reasons tocriticize, look for reasons to give thanks. Instead of dwelling on failures,rejoice in God's victories. Instead of repeating gossip, repeat God'sfaithfulness.

Someoneonce said, "The bee can find nectar while the fly can only findgarbage." Both live in the same world. They simply look for differentthings. The same is true spiritually. We can spend our lives looking foreverything that is wrong. Or we can train our minds to recognize thefingerprints of God's grace all around us. That doesn't mean life is alwayseasy. Remember where Paul was when he wrote these words. He was in prison. Yethis mind was not imprisoned. His circumstances did not determine his outlookbecause his thoughts were centered on Christ.

Today,ask the Lord to help you see His goodness. Notice His blessings. Meditate onHis beauty. Encourage someone with words that build them up instead of tearthem down. When we fill our minds with what is lovely and of good report, wediscover that joy begins to replace bitterness, gratitude replaces complaining,and peace replaces discouragement.