Over the next few weeks in our Rooted in Christ Study, we’ll be looking at some of the favorite passages from our staff at St. Matthew’s UMC. These are some of the parts of the Bible to mean to most to our staff.

Today’s reading is Philippians 4: 4-9:

Today’s reading has some really important things for us to think about, but I think that’s the key to what this passage can teach us.  Think about.  Paul tells us this – whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  I love this so much.  What do you think about? Where is your mind? Where is your head?  Where are your thoughts?

Where our minds are will determine so much about our hearts, our actions, our everything.  Are you thinking today about what is good? What is worthy of praise?  What is hopeful?  Or do you think the worst about yourself?  About others?  About even God?  Where is your mind?

Thinking best, thinking positive, holy, pure thoughts, that may be the hardest thing we can do. But it is essential.  I think that’s why Paul has it at this point.  Think about these things. Center your mind on what is good.

Especially as we move into Thanksgiving this week and closer to Christmas, we can choose to focus on negativity or problems or things that are awful, or on what is positive.  What will we choose to think about this week?

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