The Outcome (2 of 2)

     Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
     Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:4-8


Going back to versus eight (underlined), it shows us the Outcome or the earmark of being in God’s
presence and engaging in earnest effective prayer:  effective communion with God that produces A God-centered Praise WORTHY THOUGHT life. (4:8)

Because of engaging in effective earnest prayer and your heart and mind is guarded by the Prince of Peace you now have the ability and responsibility to focus your thoughts on whatever. Is (continued from yesterday)...
  • Pure: refers to what is wholesome. Produces wholeness of heart - emotional, spiritual, and psychological healing, - not mixed with moral impurity.
  • Lovely: what pleasing to the Father - A thought life that promotes peace rather than conflict within oneself and towards others.
  • Admirable: relates to what is positive and constructive rather than harmful and destructive. 
A harmful or destructive mindset gives an invitation to the enemy to bring judgmental thoughts, hateful thoughts, distorted thoughts and thoughts of condemnation. It opens up the mind to be susceptible to the enemy planting all sorts of imaginative ideas that poisons our mind and causes the heart to despair. 
This morning I had a conversation with a friend regarding all the conflict that we have in our country regarding schools, guns, and politics.  The mindsets in the debates weren't pure, lovely, nor admirable.  They showed thoughts of condemnation, judgment, and rage.  Very little appeared to be accomplished.  Without a mindset given by the Spirit nothing of the Kingdom is possible.

The praiseworthy mindset ties back into a heart that is ruled and guarded by the Prince and Lord of peace.

Are you engaging in effective earnest prayer to produce this mindset?

--Michael Walker, Zine Smith

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