“Think on These Things”
June 1, 2008
The Bible will change your life. It did mine. I remember vividly, when I came home from Korea as a young Military Police Sergeant, how hopeless and empty life was. I was depressed, aimless, and angry. But then my Mom told me there was a purpose for my life – and the Bible would tell me what that purpose was. So I got a Bible and began to read. At first it was hard. I could hardly understand what it was saying. It helped when I got a newer translation – but still I struggled to understand. But before long, it began to make sense. I found meaning, forgiveness and purpose for my life. The Bible changed my life – or I should say, Jesus changed my life through the Bible.
But there are a few Scriptures more than others that really made a difference. The one I want to share with you this morning is one of them.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
It was in Hawthorne, Nevada. The year was about ’78 or ’79. And I was going through a time of depression. Every day was discouraging. The church only had a couple of people attending it - Joyce and her son and the Patterson family. The church was run down. The parsonage was run down. The community was slow to embrace us even after a couple of years. I had high expectations of myself and my ministry – but nothing good seemed to be happening. Then I happened on this Scripture. I realized what I need to do to get out of my depression was to “count my blessings.” “Name them one by one.”
I made a bulletin board and began to collect positive Scriptures – promise Scriptures and reward Scriptures. Scriptures like Galatians 6:9 and Hebrews 6:10 and 1 Peter 5:4. I collected positive poetry. I began to memorize poems like Edger Guests “It’s Couldn’t be Done” and “Two frogs in a can of Cream” and “When the Day is Done.” And this Scripture changed my life. From an unhappy, frustrated, depressed person I became a happy, faith-filled Christian. Pretty soon God began to bless and our church became the fastest growing church on the district. I started a wonderful Christian school, “Desert Son Christian School” and later was elected to be a delegate at two State Republican Conventions, and to serve as a county chairman of the party.
I’m not trying to tell you that this Scripture is a magic formula to change your life from failure to Success – but it will change it from unhappiness to happiness. It will change it from fear to faith. It will turn you from being a pessimist to a optimist – if you work it.
So let me share with you a few things you can ‘think on’ that will turn things around for you. The first thing that is excellent and praise-worthy to meditate on is the ‘love of God’. When you realize how much God loves you it will change your life. When I came to Jesus – it was about me. It was about my needs. It was about my desires. And God met me there in my self-centered need.
After a short time I realized that God loved me. Maybe no one else in the whole world loved me – but Jesus did. Maybe no one ‘could’ love me – if they knew the kind of person I really was inside. I was pretty ugly and selfish. But Jesus knew me better than I knew myself – and He stilled loved me. He really loved me. He demonstrated it in so many ways. One way was through the Scriptures.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Remember that old children’ song? It’s true! One of the reasons you should read the Bible is because it is a love letter from God – to you. When Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, He also weeps for you when you are in sin. When John lays his head on Jesus’ shoulder and Jesus embraces him – He embraces you as well. When He forgives and heals and instructs and lovingly makes promises – it is all to you. I know Jesus loves me. He has written me a love letter.
Secondly, think of His forgiveness. The prodigal son is a wonderful expression of God’s love. Remember how the Father rejoices when the son returns? He doesn’t lecture. He doesn’t condemn. He doesn’t lay a guilt trip on him. He forgives and he rejoices in his son’s return. He promises that if we ask – He will forgive. It doesn’t matter what the sin is. It doesn’t matter how wicked you may have been. It doesn’t matter if you ignored and neglected Him or willfully rebelled against Him – when you repent and turn back to Him He forgives and forgets. Think of that! You are forgiven! If Jesus forgave Peter for failing Him; for being a coward and deserting Him – He can forgive you.
If Jesus could forgive Paul, who once fought against Jesus and had a hand in persecuting and putting to death Christians – His grace is big enough to forgive you, too. You are forgiven! Think on that!
Think on the fact that God holds the future. Some Scriptures to meditate on are:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ’What shall we eat?’ or ’What shall we drink?’ or ’What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 7:25-33
Bill and Gloria Gaither have written many wonderful Christian songs. One that Gloria wrote in the late 1960’s came while she was expecting a child. The couple was going through some terrible problems. Bill had been seriously sick and on top of that, their music had been attacked as not being spiritual. On New Years Eve night, Gloria sat in a dark room experiencing a time of torment and fear. She said, “I sat alone in the darkness thinking about the rebellious world and all of our problems - and about our baby yet unborn. Who in their right mind would bring a child into a world like this?” She was at the height of her fear and then something happened. She said, “I can’t quite explain what happened in that next moment, but suddenly I felt released from it all. The panic that had begun to build inside was gently dispelled by a reassuring presence and a soft voice that kept saying, ‘Don’t forget the empty tomb! Don’t forget the empty tomb.’ Then I knew I could have that baby and face the future with optimism and trust for I had been reminded that it was all worth it just because He lives.” And she wrote: “How sweet to hold a newborn baby, and feel the pride and joy he gives; but greater still the calm assurance, this child can face uncertain days because He lives. Because He lives I can face tomorrow, because He lives all fear is gone, because I know He holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives.
Think on that great wonderful fact – God holds the future. There is nothing ahead that catches Him by surprise. And consequently, there is nothing in the days ahead of us we have to fear. If God is there – it will be okay. If God is there (and He is) He will work it all out for our good. Think about that wonderful fact. Jesus says,
“…I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20
I don’t know what the future holds – but I know who holds the future.
Here’s another thing. Think about the future God has in store for you. Jesus said,
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
John 14:1-3
“However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:3-4
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4
Think about the plans God has in store for you! God says to us:
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
God has plans for you. Before you were even born God was forming those plans. Jesus said that He was preparing a place for us. He is preparing a place just for you. We can’t even imagine how wonderful it is – but the Spirit gives us a clue. We will reign there. We will receive glory there. There will be no pain or suffering or death there. It is a place of joy and laughter and love. Everything you yearn for in your heart will be there – and all those yearnings will be fulfilled – not in a sinful, selfish way – but perfectly. You will feel complete. Completely loved. Completely at peace. Completely secure. Complete joy.
This is what God has planned for you. And nothing can hinder those plans – but you. You get a chance to choose or reject God will for your life. If you choose Jesus – you get life. You get abundant life now – and eternal life later. Do you want it? Here’s how you get it. Pray a simple prayer like this – and if you sincerely mean it – eternal life is yours.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you so much for loving me like you do. Thank you for loving me so much you died for me – in my place. Please forgive me for my sin and rebellion. From this moment on – I will live for you. I surrender to your will and your plans for my life.
