"Think About Such Things"

“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

The last Sunday of December we gathered with the families of Reflejo, our faith community, reflecting on the year gone by. The room was filled with thanksgiving as each one shared something they were grateful for—life, health, another year, the support of friends and family, God’s provision, growing in faith.

David then challenged us based on the verse above to choose to think positively in a world that tends to be negative and pessimistic, to set our minds on what is excellent and praiseworthy. And then in the following verse, he urged us to go beyond thinking to doing, with its promised result.

“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.” (Verse 9)

These are inspiring thoughts for a time when the words crisis, recession, violence, war, disease, poverty, corruption and others fill the air waves as well as casual conversations. We need to remember that these verses were written by a man who was imprisoned, shipwrecked, beaten, stoned and run out of many towns for telling others about Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God—the One who transformed him and the One whose birth we celebrate during this season. Surely his admonitions for right thinking and applied action can bring that same peace to all of us in our lives.

We hope that as you read this you will be reminded to pray for us, to pray for our city, for our faith community and home church, for the small groups and those we are discipling to continue growing in their faith and commitment to Jesus.

We thank you too for being a part of our lives, our family and our work. It is a privilege to serve knowing that we are supported by such faithful friends and partners. May the God of peace invade your lives in new and astounding ways as you “think about such things.”