Focus your mind. Say, “Jesus, you’re with me”. Say, “Holy Spirit, you’re in me.” Read this personalized version of Jesus’ words:
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if you have lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”
Matthew 5:13 (NLT)
On Sunday, we touched on this idea that salt flavors, that it enlivens the world. You too enliven the world. Using the perception that God has given you, you have a chance to affirm the good that is everywhere. Our world teaches us to despise and to complain and to see our lack and to overlook God’s bounty. So, today, you get to bring out the flavor of love that is everywhere.
Paul concludes his joyful letter to the Philippians with this instruction:
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
He directs us to focus our attention on the good of this wonderful world that has been created.
So, today: TRUE. HONORABLE. RIGHT. PURE. LOVELY. ADMIRABLE. Think about these things.
Maybe today it is time to put aside a Netflix show that dirties your mind. Or, to lay aside your Facebooking because you keep getting drawn into the political trashing. Many of you need to turn off the news so you’re not drawn into the bad news and mud-slinging that is so prevalent there. Or, you need to turn on some worship music so your mind is brought back to the faithfulness of the Lord. Write a letter of thanks to someone who is helping you. Prioritize Sunday church, your triad or Community Group.
As you remove disorienting and wrong influences from your life and prioritize the good, you will notice that you’re more and more likely to highlight the good of this world. Salt enlivens.
Prayer
Say a prayer today that invites the Holy Spirit to direct you towards “fixing your thoughts on what is true…honorable…right…pure…lovely…admirable…excellent…worthy of praise.”