graphics by Martha G. Brady

Here we are at another Monday.  It’s time to work on our memory work.  Honestly, I’m not saying that with a boring tone to my voice.  Or even a legalistic tone…not sure how that would sound, but I don’t have it.

It’s more like, this is the time for this job today.  It is one we may not initially want to do at the moment compared to all the things we could do, but as time goes on, we will enjoy it and find it to be hopeful and encouraging.

Yes, that’s the tone I want.  Because that is how I feel about memory work and this one in particular!

It helps us put a check on our thoughts and mouths

It’s a little like the check you put on your computer to keep out the really gross things you don’t want to come in.  It is a protection for your mind.  That doesn’t mean that negative, gloomy or downright horrid thoughts won’t come to mind.  It just means you have something to do with them.

Just as with a computer, we have files for the things we want to keep, and a trash can for the things we need to get rid of, this gives us a way to decide.  Which are the thoughts and ideas we need to hang onto and keep in our minds?  All the rest, we can toss!

It not only applies to the thoughts we think about others and our world.  What about the thoughts you think of yourself?  You know those thoughts that are constantly hounding you about how awful you look or how unworthy you are or how you don’t measure up to x?  If you live by this verse, you know that those thougts are ones you can’t even meditate on about yourself…especially if you are in Christ!

Allow the truth of the Gospel to inform your thinking.  GOD

loves you and provided a way for you to live in relationship

with Him!

So continue thinking about these verses in the light of the gospel today.  Allow it to guide your thoughts…about others, about yourself, about current events, about what you allow to take up your valuable time.

Don’t think of it so much as a list of rules that GOD has to ruin your life,but as a guide for how to live your life well…so that you will enjoy the world where He has put you.

Finally, brothers, (and sisters)

whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is just,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is commendable,

 

if there is any excellence,

if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things. 

 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—

practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.  

Philippians 4:8-9

When given the choice today, will you choose the true,

commendable, just, pure and lovely to think on, to speak, to

encourage?  Or will you take the path of least resistance?

I’m making a number of changes on my blog as a result of a recent evaluation and critique done by Christian Mommy Blogger.  It has been very helpful to me in thinking through needed changes for the blog.  I’ll write more later, but I decided to simplify my Mondays under the heading Hide it in Your Heart instead of having two different categories.