Admirable & Rejoice

Philippians 4: 8 commands us think about anthing admirable. But what is admirable? Admirable means inspiring or deserving or adoration/praise. There are wonderful people, places, things and ideas that may fall into this catagory.

I have met people who give their lives to reach the lost and people who give their time to help the poor and sick. I know people who provide care for the elderly. There are places where anyone can recieve kindness, charity, and love. Many churches, nonprofit organizations that offer counseling, as well as places like Disaster Relief. There are events set up just to raise money to assist others whether it is for cancer research, monetary assistance to people suffering from a particular problem, or to raise funds to install a radio tower so that the world can hear the Gospel. Many of us think of ways to serve, be kind, to be generous, to be selfless, to love everyday.

These people, events, and ideas encourage us and inspire us. The apostle Paul has said, "think of such things!" These things are admirable. Instead of thinking about illness, pain, hurt feelings; rather than entertaining jealous thoughts, slanderous words, gossip, lies, and anger, we should fix our mind upon the Spirit of God whose fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control(Galatians 5:22, 23). We should stop the thoughts that lead us to think poorly of oneself and others and remember each other for the gifts that God has given us. We should think of whatever is admirable!

The ablility to think of admirable things comes from God alone. He alone gives us His Spirit which manifests itself with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. Therefore, our thoughts should be fixed on God. God is admirable. God inspires. God is worthy of adoration and praise.

"Let us rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 Let us be glad, happy, delighted and full of joy. Let us rejoice in the Lord. We don't have to give our minds over to the things of the world that are full of hate. So, let us fix our mind on Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2) and Rejoice! Let's offer our minds to God, who is the most admirable of all the heavens and earth.