Monthly Thought

March 2007

When I was asked to do this, I had a think about what would be appropriate to write and when nothing was really standing out I realised I was approaching it in the wrong way. I think when we face a challenge it's so easy to have a go at it our own way, then maybe try a different way, then ask a friend to help us and finally when we are at that point where we are out of ideas we turn to God. So this led me to thinking about these verses in Philippians 4:6-7

It says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

This is saying that if there is anything, and that's anything at all, that we want or need God's help with, we shouldn't go to Him as our last resort. We need to take whatever it is to God in prayer and trust in Him to help us. And if we do this the peace of God will be with us. If there is anything you are worried or anxious about then all you need to do is take it to God and He will give you peace in that situation, His peace "guard your hearts and minds".

Now I don't know about you, but personally it really encourages me to know that God is guarding my mind. I find it's quite easy to stop myself from doing something which is wrong but it's really hard to stop thinking something which is wrong. I mean how often do you think something nasty about someone you know when they do something minor to annoy you, or if you see someone with the latest Playstation 2 game or a new DVD you want and you think jealous thoughts. In Matthew 5:21-30, Jesus says our thoughts are as bad as our actions because it is all sin and not what God wants. So how can we stop ourselves thinking sinfully? I think a useful passage is this:

Philippians 4:8-9 says, "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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Rather than trying to not think about bad things, we should fill our mind with good thoughts and think about things which are true, noble and pure. The things we think about will sooner or later determine our speech and actions so we need to think about Godly things. One last important point is that we need to put this stuff into practise. What we learn about God should affect the way we live, and we should always try and live as Jesus wants us to. When Jesus was praying to God in Gethsemane the day before he was crucified he prayed this in Mark 14:36b; "Yet not what I will, but what you will."

One thing to think about is, Do my actions show that I'm following God's will and doing what he would want me to do?

Next month I will be sharing about what it means to be "slaves to righteousness" when we live our lives out for God. If you have any questions then email me on sam.mcnaughton@gmail.com.

Sam