“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.”
Philippians 4:8
This prescription comes after God invites us to remember Christ’s presence and find relief from Him as we give to Him our anxieties “in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.” God promises to bring us peace and invites us to take a break from worrying. Instead of worrying He says to think about, “Whatever is true, honorable, just pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, worthy of praise…”.
No doubt this is why generations of Zion members have loved the hymn “Beautiful Savior.” Consider using it in your after-prayer meditations. Think about all you know of our most-excellent Jesus. “Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man! Truly I’d love Thee, Truly I’d serve Thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.” Consider the wonders of God’s creation and the one who created and rules it, “Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands, Robed in flow’rs of blooming spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, He makes our sorr’wing spirit sing.” Let God know your appreciation and awe. One of my favorite prayers is simply, “Wow, God!” as I picture in my mind something He made…. Humming birds come to mind, or the massive elephant with a tiny tip of a trunk that can pickup a little pea and carry it to its mouth. “Jesus, you made these!” (John 1:3)
It is my prayer and goal that every Sunday will provide you fuel for your after-prayer meditations. What did Jesus do? What did He teach? What does it mean that “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8)”? Indeed, “Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight, Bright the sparkling stars on high” but “Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels in the sky.”
May the peace that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus as you pray to Him about the situations that cause you anxiety, as you thank Him for His mercies, and as you think on Him. You’ll never run out of things to admire about Jesus, His ways, His works, and the depth of love He has shown to us on the cross.
in Christ’s peace,
Pastor Stephen
This article, news, and information is found in our November 2023 newsletter, available by mail, email, of pickup in the church entryway and office. Let us know if you wish to subscribe to receive this monthly publication.
This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)