August 1 ~

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things ... whatsoever things are of good report ... think on and weigh and take account of these things -- fix your minds on them ... For as he thinks in his heart, so is he ... Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Phil.4:8 (RSV,KJV,Amp); Prov.23:7( NKJV); Phil.4:4 (NAS)

An admonition most hard to obey
for me, Lord, is Philippians 4:8:
Think only things of good report? And say,
thus, nothing negative? 'Spite all the hate
and folly, agony and turmoil in
this sad, satanic world? Yet ... I've no choice!
To not obey is lawlessness -- is sin!
More, Thou hast told me always to rejoice.
But ... dwell in endless positivity?
'Spite of the stream of negativity
- the judgments, scorn, complaint, anxiety -
which come into my mind so constantly?

It's up to thee. Abide in Me, and thou
wilt know My peace. Thou must, child. Do so. Now!

____________________

Who among us can dwell with the devouring fire? ... He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly ... who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil, he will dwell on the heights ... Thank [God] in everything -- no matter what the circumstances ... Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus ... be renewed in the spirit of your mind ... sin is lawlessness ... I can do all things in him who strengthens me ... This God is my strong refuge, and has made my way safe. He made my feet like hind's feet, and set me secure on the heights ... "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace "...
Is.33:14,15,16 (RSV); 1 Thess.5:18 (Amp); Phil.2:5 (KJV); Eph.4:23 (KJV); 1 Jn.3:4 (NAS); Phil.4:13 (RSV); 2Sam.22:33-34 (RSV); Jn.16:33 (NKJV).

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