It was a tense trial. The man who was facing serious charges needed someone to testify to his trustworthiness. One of his friends was called to the stand as a witness. He was asked, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?”

He quietly responded, “Yes I do.”

The judge turned to him and asked, “Do you understand the meaning of that oath?”

“Yes, your Honor, I do,” he replied. And then added, “But under those conditions I don’t have much to say.”

What a careful, cautious response. He had much that he could say, but he was clear about what he would not say.

Whatever we put into our minds determines what comes out of our mouths and is seen in our behavior. Paul advised us to program our minds to “Think about things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and worthy of praise.” What a challenge!

If we take Paul’s advice seriously and pause to consider what we allow to enter our minds, we might be quite surprised. As people of “habits” we do things out of routine that have been established over the years.

Whatever we look at or read, think on or talk about will influence our minds and hearts. Take care!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill our minds with thoughts that come from Your Word that will draw us so close to You that we will speak words of praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:8 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.

It was a beautiful day in the mountains. The crisp, clean air and the morning sun combined to create a sense of magic. Gary decided that he would take a long, leisurely drive to the many vistas in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Shortly after he started his trip a tire went flat. Easing to the side of the road he parked his car and got out. When he opened up his trunk and looked inside, he discovered that his jack was missing. He went to the middle of the road and looked for any signs of life. Off in the distance he saw a cabin. His heart began to beat with hope thinking there would be someone there to help him.

As he walked along the road he began to think, “What if the person living there does not have a jack?” Then he thought, “What if he has a jack and won’t lend it to me? And why should he lend it to me since he doesn’t even know me? I doubt if he will even open the door.”

He was so agitated that by the time he got to the cabin he was shaking all over. Climbing the steps, he paused and knocked on the door. When the resident opened it, he blurted out, “Keep your jack. I didn’t want to use it anyhow,” and hit him in the jaw.

Our thoughts shape our attitudes and our attitudes shape our behavior and our behavior tells others who we really are.

Prayer: Father, may we, as Your Word advises us, “Fix our hearts on what is good and true and right” and show grace and gratitude to everyone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:8 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.

It was the first day of the new school year and Albert was boarding the bus. As he was walking to his seat, he brushed up against a book bag and cut his cheek. When he got to school, the nurse cleaned if carefully and placed a bandage on it.

Later, during recess, he collided with a classmate and loosened two of his front teeth. Then at noon as he was walking to the cafeteria, he tripped and fell and broke his wrist.

His father came to the school and finally “rescued” him and took him to the hospital. While waiting for the doctor, his dad noticed that his little fist was clenched as tightly as possible, holding a crumpled up dollar bill. His dad asked him where he got it and he replied, “I found it when I fell and broke my wrist. This is my lucky day!”

“Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise,” said Paul. What we put into our minds determines what comes out in words and deeds. If we have problems with thoughts that are harmful and impure, unwholesome and unkind, we need to take an inventory of what we are reading, watching on television and viewing on the internet.

Minds are like bank accounts: What goes in comes out.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to take Paul’s advice and fill our minds with thoughts that come from reading Your Word and meditating on it constantly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:8 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.

Several years ago a magazine reported that an organization offered $5000 to anyone who could capture a wolf alive and bring it to them. Reading about this opportunity, Sam and Jed decided to go on a wolf hunt! The first night, they put up their tent, got into their sleeping bags and went to sleep. Sam was suddenly awakened by the sound of wolves howling nearby. “Wake up, Jed,” he cried. “We’re rich!” What an attitude.

At one time or another, it seems as though the “wolves of life” surround us. We hear their cries and sense their presence. But that which would frighten us and bring fear into our lives can be captured and brought under God’s control. There are times when we must look to the One who will bring us victory over the circumstances that surround us, protection from the fears that would beset us and peace when the storms of life would destroy us. We will always be victorious when we put our trust in a God Who loves us and will deliver us from all evil. In Him, we will find the riches of life.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to think thoughts that enable me to see that which brings the riches of Your promises into my life. May I look to You to find that which is eternal, important, significant and purposeful: in Your name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:8