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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
Journal entry April 14,1997
Today’s scripture reading, Philippians 4:8-9, causes me to stop and think.
“Whatever is true:” I shared some information ‘as I saw it’ yesterday evening about two different situations that I was aware of. One concerned an elderly lady who kept violating confidences and reacting to her surroundings. The other lady only came to God on her terms and as long as it didn’t hurt her to worship God, if she felt she had to change then she {stayed away and} came back in times of crisis and only on her terms (looking at the problem, not to God.)
Were these things true? Should I have said them?
“Whatever is noble:” I looked up a scripture for a close friend; I gave her an interpretation that helped me understand the fact of our being commanded to love one another. She thanked me for the note.
Did God think these thoughts noble? Did I think them noble?
“Whatever is right:” As a Christian, I want to do the right thing and I want the right words to come out of my mouth. I also want to see the right thing come to pass for those whom I pray for as well as my family.
I don’t know if I always follow through, only God knows. I must work on this.
“Whatever is pure” I know God is the only Pure One. I strive to be pure in thought, word, and action. I know that God will forgive me when I fail.
Have I failed God on this point? Will He show me where I need to change?
“Whatever is lovely:” I strive to be kind, gentle, patient, loving, friendly, and joyful.
Does God see my strivings? Does He approve?
“Whatever is admirable:” Admiration is not something that is negative. Envy and coveting are negative. Admirable thoughts and words are uplifting; they stay with us and always make us feel better.
“–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–:” These qualities have to come from God. He is the One who deems our thoughts worthy of praise.
Have I done my Christian duty to merit these descriptive words?
“think on these things:” We have to have our hearts in tune with God before we can get our thoughts together on these qualities of heart.
Can I focus on these qualities? Only with God can I make the changes I need to make.
UPDATE:
I wrote this seventeen years ago. I still believe I have to ask these questions as I grow in the LORD. As I strive to grow in the LORD, I plan to spend part of this weekend at a simulcast of a retreat for women.
Sometimes, we find ourselves with everything feeling stale. Nothing seems right. We can’t get interested in things going on around us. It is then we need to take the time to go to the LORD and ask Him to help us through these ‘down’ times.
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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