On Its Own

1Corinthians 2:1-5 - I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

The Word of God speaks for itself. No need to embellish. All we need to do is know the Word. Seek God first...and all other things (needs, not wants) will be added to us. God has promised us this. The world offers nothing eternal. There is no guarantee of anything in this life. We are not guaranteed life in the next few minutes. God is in complete control of it all. He knows everything about us. He knows the number of our days. He is the one who created us, knit us together in our mothers' wombs. 

All He asks is that we seek Him first, devour His Word. Taste and see that He is good. He offers us the bread of life, the living water. You don't get that without knowing Him and seeking Him. As I write this morning, many of the words (promises) are scriptural. They are all His truth. This is what He wants us to have in the forefront of our minds daily.  

A woman from our church posted this: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8) She emphasized what I underlined.  Boy, couldn't the news media and the world in general consider this! This is what God wants. If we keep our eyes focused on Him, meditate on Him throughout the day, we have achieved that which is best. Scripture even says to seek that which is best.

Before he became the Apostle Paul (who wrote the words following), he persecuted those who followed Christ. He followed the ways of man. When he encountered Jesus, the power of God changed all that! It’s a wonderful thing to have that encounter! (My emphasis.)

For I determined not to know anything among you EXCEPT Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, BUT in demonstration of the SPIRIT and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the POWER OF GOD.

But we speak the WISDOM OF GOD in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

But God has revealed them to us through HIS SPIRIT. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Now we have received, NOT the spirit of the world, but the SPIRIT who is FROM GOD, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us BY God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the HOLY SPIRIT teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1Corinthians 2)

Those things from God are the best. When we allow ourselves to take an interest in God, seek Him first, be in His Word to hear His truths, we receive the best there is. His Word stands the test of time (despite what anyone says)...on its own. 

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Good News

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

Awhile back I read this scripture.   It caused me to set out to do a study on it.  Let me share my findings.  Let me share what God offers us.

We are to think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.   

True:  Not concealed, not unaware of; not the world's version of true, but God's.  His Word is truth; His plans for us are good; His promises for us are great and precious.  (John 17:17; Jeremiah 29:11; 2Peter 1:4)

Noble:  Meaning good; covered above; reverend, worshipped

Just:  Meaning moral, truthful, honest, fair; without criticism, without judgment; righteous, virtuous, innocent, faultless; conformed to the Word of God, approved of God. (Romans 12:2)

Pure:  Wholesome things; sacred, modest, clean, most holy

Lovely:  Pleasant, agreeable, delightful, acceptable.

Good report:  Sounding well, uttering words of good omen; good news or the Good News.  God's Word is a good report.  (Hebrews 11:2)

Virtue:  Good quality, honest, moral, upright

Praiseworthy:  Admirable, creditable.  Like the good news report, not what we get through most secular media

All these words describe God.  It's all about Him.  It's not about us, it's not about the world, it's all about God.  Only He offers these things in the truest sense.  He is the Good News and offers Good News to each and every person.

How often does the news we hear everyday on television or radio give you the warm fuzzies? Most often we hear about disasters, murders, kidnappings, drugs, theft.  What's so good about this news?  But the news of Jesus Christ is all good.

There are good people.  There are honest people.  There are wholesome people, pleasant people, virtuous people.  Even if a person is all or one of these things, he is not without sin.  That's why there is the Good News of Jesus Christ:  The Good News is about His life on earth, His discipling of men and women, His teachings, His example to live by, His death and, praise God, His resurrection.  The Good News is He suffered unto death in order that we might be reconciled once again with God.

The attributes I mentioned above are what we are to desire for within ourselves as well as looking for in our relationships.  We are to relate to and treat others with these good attributes.  And, if we truly take the time to consider these things, our attitudes will begin to look like them.  

Consider the Good News of Jesus Christ, that which is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. 

1Samuel:12:24 - Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

Heavenly Father, in these days with so much negativity in the news and in the world, a good report is so welcomed.  I thank you that You have given us a good report.  All we need do is listen for it and take it into our hearts.  I thank You that You constantly call us into relationship with You.  It's not about religion or denomination, but relationship only.  How freeing a concept that is.  It is a true, just, pure and lovely concept.  And how wonderful that it is free to all who want it.  Lord, in these days ahead, I ask that You work in the hearts of those who think they know You because they go to church every week or believe themselves to be good people.  I ask that You show Yourself to them in a way that only they would understand and believe.  You desire that ALL men would come to You.  Let that also be the cry of my heart for all mankind.  Thank You, Lord, for the grace and mercy You give.  Thank You for your risen Son, Jesus.  Amen