He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all,

how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

(Romans 8:32)

Bill very often makes this statement, “When it seems that things are just not adding up the way they should and I’m down, all I have to do is remember Jesus on the cross and my ‘upside-down world’ is ‘right-side-up’ again.”

A much too simple remedy for heavy problems, isn’t it? No, not really. “What you think about determines your world. What do you want your world to be?” The proverb says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7) but the context of the verse doesn’t clarify that statement as we as Believers know it. For when you have been given a new heart, with the laws of God written on that new heart and have been instructed as to what all that means, then the proverb is irrevocably true! As a man thinks in His [new] heart, so is he! (Hebrews 10:16).

God’s Word gives us the same “simple” suggestion: Think constantly of Him enduring all that sinful men could say against Him and you will not lose your purpose or your courage. (Hebrews 12:3) Isn’t that an amazing verse to carry around in our pocket? We will not lose our purpose (focus) or our courage as we think about all He has done for us! Do you struggle with those two things – forgetting what your ultimate goal is and lacking the determination, the discipline, and the courage to follow through? I must confess, I do!

I was talking with a friend just the other day. They are buying a new house and there have been very few “hitches” in the plans. Their former house sold the second week it was listed. They found a lovely home within their price range. All systems are incredibly “go”! Then she made this statement, “I know I don’t deserve all of these wonderful things.”

But then, she started thinking about what she said and came up with this analogy: God has worked out every detail and He is still working out details. I need only turn to my Bible to know that God wants to give me good gifts just like I want to give good gifts to my children.They don’t always “deserve” the gift, but I love them and want them to have what I can give them. But the gift and blessing are only a gift and a blessing if I accept them.

There are a lot of people who will say, when asked how they are, “Better than I deserve!” Really? Just what do you deserve? And how would you overcome the business of “deserving”? Think. We are children of God – the richestfolks in town – and He wants to give gifts to us, His children, from His enormous wealth. Do we deserve them? The gifts are not based on whether or not we deserve them, but onwho we are! And only as we accept them as gifts of love, will we truly be able to enjoy them as He longs for us to enjoy them and gratefully thank Him for them.

Something else to meditate on: What is your “peace level”? My “peace level”? I don’t even know how to spell the word any more. This is a crazy-mixed-up world we live in and peace is a fantasy for most of us.” Not so, according to God. He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord. (Isaiah 26:3). Perfect peace. Amazing! What do I set my mind on? Will just “thinking” change my world?

Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.[1]

We have God in this little, bitty box on our shelf! Oh, to have the courage and the deep desire to untie the string holding that box so tightly shut and set Him free in my life! I think I’d stand there aghast when I saw all of those wonderful things come tumbling out of that box! And can it possibly be that the string wrapped around that box is in my mind? Oh, yes. Not only possible, but probable!

Fix your thoughts on what is good and true and right.

Think about things that are pure and lovely,

and dwell on the fine good things in others.

Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.

Keep putting into practice all you learned

from me and saw me doing,

(and if I do that, tell me – what will the result be?)

and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

[1] Philippians 4: 6-7 (TLB)

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