Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sabbath, September 9, 2017

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-09-09-2017

This is devotional thought number 78 in our devotional series, “Essentials of Faith.” Our final subject is: Rejoicing in the Lord

Here’s the question for consideration: What kinds of thoughts should I cherish?

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:8–9).

I am going to share with you the secret most never learn or embrace, which can govern your entire thought life and save you a world of trouble. This secret provides the foundation for holy living once you are already surrendered to Jesus Christ.

When you get a chance, write the thought principles identified in these verses as a bulleted items list. As you pray and prepare for each day, ask God to help you pass every thought, intention, activity, choice of entertainment, conversation, potential companion, etc., through this filter. If any of these aspects of your life can honestly meet the affirmative test of the listed items, continue engaging with a clear conscience. If not, eliminate and replace with something God would be happy to approve.

Let’s choose one aspect of life with which we can all relate; entertainment. Let’s drill down further. Let’s say you want to relax a little and watch television after a hard day of work. You see in your social media feed that a certain show is coming on a 9PM. Now, you have a decision to make. You turn on your TV, scroll through the menu, locate the episode, and the picture pops up. The first thing you notice is that a man and woman are in an sensual embrace. Then you notice the rating. It’s stamped either with a parental advisory or for a mature audience. Before you even read the description or launch the episode, this show fails the Philippians 4 filter of purity and virtue. You click the description and see somebody’s killing somebody else to avenge who knows what, and these two unlikely companions find scandalous pleasure in one another’s life until some other twist in the storyline. Fail.

The same principle applies with gossip. It fails the good report filter. The same holds true for indulging the habit of watching Bible error or often attending services where truth is not prominent. This fails the truth filter. The same goes for deciding if we will party with friends and relatives this coming Saturday night. Will the party conflict with virtue? Maybe. What kind of music, activity, etc., will be there? Is it something Jesus would enjoy? Does it pass or fail the filter? You be the judge. If it will pass, then enjoy yourself.

My only point here is, not to create well-behaved people who don’t know Jesus. That would actually fail the truth filter. Jesus is the truth. His Word is truth. His commandments are truth. Therefore, doing God’s will according to this model, will be an outgrowth of God writing His truth in our hearts, not a feeble attempt to impress Him and earn salvation. As a person thinks, is how the person is. This is why we should cherish the thoughts and mindset of Christ. Ask yourself this question, “Would Jesus cherish these thoughts?” If the honest answer is yes, continue along the path. If there’s any doubt or the answer’s an obvious no, focus your thoughts and actions according to the filter in Philippians 4:8-9. Then watch as the Holy Spirit moves...