What's On Your Mind?

     Lately, the news has not been very positive in our nation.  It seems that division rather than harmony is the trend, and we hear about it 24/7.  There was a time when national news came to us for about an hour each evening.  Now, however, an entire day can be filled with news and opinion.  Listening to this as a steady diet can be discouraging, disappointing and a waste of time.  So this morning, I was discussing with my dear husband that I needed a break from this evening bombardment.  We would turn off the news/opinion and watch a good movie.  He agreed and quoted a great Scripture that really stuck in my heart.  Then, when I went to read my devotions this morning, the same Scripture was quoted.  God's providence, no doubt!
     In his letter to the Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul penned these inspired words:  "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things."  What a contrast this is compared to the daily news outlets filled with grim details of one crime or another!  Yet, we might wonder how do we find all these good things to think about that Paul references in his letter?
     First and foremost, we must look no further than the Bible.  A steady diet of God's Word leads us to truth about God, about us and what He has accomplished for us.  His character is embedded into every page so that we might grow to know Him.  His commandments are laid out before us that we might learn how to live a holy life of obedience by the power of the Holy Spirit.  His promises encourage us to know that we are never alone for He keeps watch over us.  Of course, my most favorite place to look is in the book of Psalms. Here, we find rejoicing, praise, and many promises of God.  We can graze on these thoughts and never tire.  Isn't it better to wake up in the morning with a verse of praise on your mind rather than the dread of what might happen in the national news today?
After all, we are citizens of heaven where we will spend eternity quite unlike this world where we face sorrow, sickness, death and sadness.
     Secondly, what we think about the most influences who we become.  Each day our minds are filled with many thoughts.  We need to discard those thoughts that tear down our faith and meditate on those that increase our faith.  Too much T.V., radio,  podcasts or even social media can weigh our spirit down.  Scripture teaches that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and soul (Matthew 22:37).  Therefore we need to bring our thoughts under His Lordship every day.
     Finally, we need to remember that we are in a battle against the Enemy of our soul.  He cannot steal us from the Lord but he can take us out of action by wounding us or causing us to run down
a bunny trail.  The more we grow in the knowledge of the Lord and His Word the stronger we become as we face daily trials.  God gave the commission to share the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ with those around us.  If our mind is cluttered with "junk", we won't have the right words to say at the right time.  Instead, we will be worried about the "news" of the day or what someone said about us on social media.  So what is our take away from all this?
     Taking Paul's advice is a good start.  Begin our days with God's Word and end it the same way.  Talk to Him in the Morning and in the evening and any time in between.  Think on His promises...not the promises made by politicians who cannot deliver.  Most of all, take a break from electronics for a while.  Focus on the Lord and what He has done for us!  In fact, I believe that if we all walked away from the T.V. for a week we would come back to find much the same headlines like a soap opera.    Only God offers the "Good News" and the truth.  This is what should be on our minds!  Selah!