MEDITATE ON (WHAT'S GOOD) THIS!

"Philippians 4:8 American Standard Version (ASV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things"

In this picture is a monument dedicated to the late husband, Prince Albert of Queen Victoria. It is definitely a captivating piece of work that is beautifully position in a park in London to stand as a symbol of her love and affection for her husband. One can only imagine the multitude of thoughts (great thoughts, intimate thoughts) that she shared about him, that so moved her to have this built in his honor. Much like the thoughts GOD had of you. I'm sorry not much like them, FAR BETTER than them that GOD had of you. While you may not have a statue overlayed in gold, with ivory surrounding you, and gated off so no one can get to you, but you have YOU! GOD's workmanship. You are a representation of HIS LOVE poured out on you. Today's verses beg us to think on a list of things....and I believe if and when we allow ourselves to do so....it causes us to do something. The question is "What will you allow, release yourself to do amongst or to the people HE will send in your path?" How will you honor HIM through them? How will you express your love and devotion to GOD through your living today?

Well He blessed you with another day for a DIVINE purpose (not so you can sit in your jammies, and sip your lattes)......I can't wait to see or hear what you did! Don't waste this DAY, this gift to you called the present.

LGLP

MEDITATE ON (The Teachings of Christ) THIS!

Psalm 1:1-3 AMP : "1 [a]BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]."

What do you love doing or as it is scripturally termed "delight" in? Today's verse talks about BLESSED IS THE MAN (WOMAN) who (and it first talks about what they don't do) delights and desires are in GOD's teachings. Last night as I finished the "11 page" open call application for the NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR, I couldn't help but notice that you must really like cooking and be excited about the possibilities of being showcased on such a platform. Each question sought to peel back a layer of who you are at your core. If I am honest, winning would be EXTREMELY COOL, but REALLY just being selected as a contestant would do it for me, because if I am...I know that this is not of my doing, it would be of GOD'S doing and all He expects out of me is that He'd be glorified. Much like how the pictured tree is. It's planted firmly on a bluff above the river and it doesn't have to do much other than stand. The fruit it produces are these huges fibrous sausage looking like pods that can weigh up to 15lbs. Doesn't sound much like fruit but provides a space for bats and insects.

People ask me all the time, "how are you doing", and if they hang around long enough to hear my answer you know I will say BLESSED! I never gave much thought to if I was saying it with this scripture in mind, but I need to, and maybe you do to. Maybe we need to commit to meditating on CHRIST's teachings (loving our neighbors, loving GOD, just & wise living) day and night, like a tree is committed to being planted never moving to truly experience a BLESSED LIFE!

My prayer is that you are found firmly planted, bearing fruit, and full of life for those that may come to rest under you. BE BLESSED my friends!

Meditate ON (His Unfailing Love) THIS!

Psalms 48:9-10a says...O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your temple. As your name deserves, O God , you will be praised to the ends of the earth.

So today is termed as hump day! We are two days away from the weekend, many of you, or us are taking sighs right now...of the fact whew....we are almost there....thank you Lord (we utter under exasperated breath) But really stop, and think about God's unfailing love for all of us. Not just you...but ALL OF US, ALL OF CREATION! While you may not be fond of your boss, your neighbors, some of your co-workers, the disrespectful kids in your neighborhood, those whom you have a short fuse with, those who don't care about or think about HIM (God that is) , He is madly in love with. What about you? Do you love like He loves? Do you even desire to? (Be honest) THIS IS PRECISELY WHY HE should be worshipped! Pictured are some hands shaped as a heart and it's no mistake that hands are also used in serving others which is a key facet in worshipping.

After all, while you can't stand______________ (you fill in the blank with a name or group of people) He still is madly in love with YOU, praying that you will someday LOVE as HE LOVES. That's how you make the world a better place!

Father forgive us of our thoughts and even prayers that were contradictory to your character and love for each of us. Help us to love as you love, serve as you serve and be bold enough to carry this type of love to the edges of the world! AMEN

Meditate ON (HIS WORKS) This!

1 Chronicles 16:8-9 says Oh give thanks to the LORD, call on His name, make known His doings to all the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to him; meditate on talk of his wondrous and devoutly praise them!

So as you prepare to leave the house....what are you thinking about? What owns your thoughts? Is it how much work you will have today? Is it the meetings you have to sit through? Maybe you haven't made it that far yet, maybe you are preparing for the traffic you know you have to face. Or will the car act right today. Whatever it is...if it isn't thinking about God's works...you probably are unnecessarily stressing. You can't even stress when thinking about what GOD HAS DONE or IS DOING! Look at the picture....does that evoke stress in you? Look at the beauty and magestic nature of the creatures in harmony just EXISTING or should I say CO-EXISTING. When you meditate on GOD's GREAT works you can't help but want to talk to people about them, and hope they notice or see what you see.

So if you do decide to "lose yourself" today make sure it's in meditating on GOD so that the next words that follow are praises of what He's done or doing. One way to help with this mood setting command is to govern what you listen to on the way to work or while at home. BEFORE doing......just listen to at least one song in it's fullness so that you can lend yourself to the lyrics and comprehend..."REALLY...WOW...GOD I'm sorry you are.....(mighty, faithful, lovely____________ you fill in the blank via the song you're singing or listening to)"

GOD BLESS! LGLP