ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

Friends,
I am fighting enemies on several fronts,knowing full well that I can't whip 'em alone. Several of us are winding up a study on Philippians this week. Let me take you with us to Chapter 4, verse 8. Why? Because in my natural flesh I can't THINK ON THESE THINGS and maybe you need encouragement in doing that as well.
Paul has just given us the formula in verses 4-7 for not being anxious about ANYthing, but in EVERYthing, by prayer with THANKSGIVING, presenting our requests to God, promising that PEACE will follow and our hearts will be GUARDED. Then he says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is...." and here I will break off to say that this list must be set to memory for 1)our flesh would rather lick our wounds than recognize God's activity in our lives. 2) Satan is fighting visciously to keep us from having a grateful heart in the midst of our losses. Let me write the powerful positives God through Paul tells us to THINK on and give you opportunity to ask yourself if you are drawing on the power of God to THINK ON THESE THINGS.
1)What is TRUE? This requires discerning Satan's lies. _________________________________________________________________________
2) What is NOBLE (splendid)?_____________________________________________
3) What is RIGHT? We are being trained to discern between right and wrong. (Hebrews 5:14)______________________________________________________
4)What is PURE? Nothing? You are right. ...except Jesus. Are you fixing your eyes on only Him? ______________________________________________
5)What is LOVELY in your life? _________________________________________
6)What is ADMIRABLE (excellent, praiseworthy)? _______________________________________________________________________

Did I mention that it takes DISCIPLINING our minds in order to "count everything loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord"? Ted used to sing this little ditty...off key, of course, but I loved it!
Don't forget to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
And don't mess with Mr. in between (whatever in the world THAT meant.)
That's my "hymn" for the week.
Love,
Jo