Philippians 3:20-21 (New International Version)
20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Joshua 1:8 (New Living Translation)
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Colossians 3:2-3 (New International Version)
2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Matthew 15:25 (Amplified Bible)
25But she came and, kneeling, worshiped Him and kept praying, Lord, help me!
The first word of this week’s lesson , Philippians 4:1, is the word ‘Therefore’. In order to determine what it is ‘there for’, we have to back up to the close of the previous chapter, Philippians 3:21-22.At the end of Chapter 3, Paul encourages the believers to follow the pattern of living that has been given to them. He reminds them that earth is no longer their home, Heaven is. As such, there are new rules, an alternate reality. They underwent a paradigm shift at the cross and down is now up, and up is down. Paul offers a couple of points of advice on how to find peace and contentment in this alternative reality, worship and meditation. As Christians, we emphasize the benefits of worship, but meditation, not so much. Yet, the Bible instructs us to meditate on God and His Holy Word. If I am to transcend the bounds of mortality and enter into the place of peace and joy that God has prepared for me, worship and meditation are key. I will rejoice, I will worship, I will set my mind on things above, I will meditate on the true, the noble, the right, the pure, the lovely, the admirable, the excellent, the praiseworthy. Meditation should not be a ‘clearing’ of the mind, but a filling of the mind with the things of Christ. I could go on and on. Set aside some time this week for meditation. A few minutes here, a few minutes there. A few minutes for worship directed to God. A few minutes of meditation and reflection guided by the Scriptures. What about it? Some one once said to me; ‘Don’t be so Heavenly minded, that you are no earthly good.” I would argue that exactly the opposite is true. Jesus would back me up saying ‘Ye are the salt of the earth, but if salt lost it’s saltiness, what good would it be?” Be Blessed this week. Enjoy the lesson.
.wb
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