#600 Glorifying His Name Begins with the Realm of Thought
Every desire to Glorify His Name must begin with a thought.
In fact, the privilege to “Glorify Thy Name” is accomplished by the process of bringing every thought into the obedience (attentive hearkening) of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
I had a wonderful experience in the process of flying home to visit my family over the Holidays. The joy of this trip was the joy of looking for what is good in the people I came in contact with, and expressing appreciation to them. One of a number of encounters was with a Delta worker. I struck up a conversation with him and learned that he had worked for Delta for over 30 years. I asked ‘How much does weather effect the airport and his job?’ He explained that people don’t realize that there is so much going on behind the scenes to try to keep people happy, that there is a bigger picture, and how involved he was in that work. I was impressed with how much he cared about people and his diligence in his job, and told him so. We talked for a bit, and I shook his hand telling him it was an honor to meet him and thanked him for his dedication and hard work and gave him a tract.
These experiences brought an important insight to mind. Every thought we think can become an opportunity to love! It made me ask the question: How do I think about a particular person I am having a challenge with? Every thought I think is part of defining who they are and is either loving or not. A dear Sister shared this in an email: “even expressions on my face Ah yes, to Glorify our Father's name in every circumstance, situation, facial expression, words stemming from a consecrated heart, to be of an encouragement and help in any way we can for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, is a part of glorifying our Father's name...” And that made me aware of times when after a challenging discussion with someone at work, when I am walking back to my office, how I may roll my eyes and sigh. Even our body language can help us be aware of our thinking! “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers…” Ephesians 4:29-32 Unwholesome words begin with unwholesome thoughts….
We can express love in how we THINK of and DEFINE each person in our hearts.
Philippians 4:8 gives us amazing guidelines regarding how we can express love in how we THINK of and DEFINE each person and situation in our hearts.
Whatever is true: not focusing on assumption, but on what we know
Whatever is honest (to revere, adore): not focusing on faults, but on what they have to offer
Whatever is just: not focusing on acts of injustice
Whatever is pure (holy, sacred, clean): focus on purity in relationships and chaste thoughts
Whatever is lovely (acceptable pleasing, agreeable): not focusing on conflict, but on common ground
Whatever is of good report (well spoken of, reputable, to speak auspiciously—conducive to success): focus on thoughts that help people succeed and be encouraged to go forward
Whatever is worthy of Praise: Find a way to appreciate and bless the one who I am irritated by, and find a way to express it.
Of coarse there are times when we must deal with negative issues, but never do we need to DWELL and live there in our thinking.
To glorify His name begins with using every thought as an opportunity to love, and then to find a way to express that love.
Every desire to Glorify His Name must begin with a thought.
In fact, the privilege to “Glorify Thy Name” is accomplished by the process of bringing every thought into the obedience (attentive hearkening) of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
I had a wonderful experience in the process of flying home to visit my family over the Holidays. The joy of this trip was the joy of looking for what is good in the people I came in contact with, and expressing appreciation to them. One of a number of encounters was with a Delta worker. I struck up a conversation with him and learned that he had worked for Delta for over 30 years. I asked ‘How much does weather effect the airport and his job?’ He explained that people don’t realize that there is so much going on behind the scenes to try to keep people happy, that there is a bigger picture, and how involved he was in that work. I was impressed with how much he cared about people and his diligence in his job, and told him so. We talked for a bit, and I shook his hand telling him it was an honor to meet him and thanked him for his dedication and hard work and gave him a tract.
These experiences brought an important insight to mind. Every thought we think can become an opportunity to love! It made me ask the question: How do I think about a particular person I am having a challenge with? Every thought I think is part of defining who they are and is either loving or not. A dear Sister shared this in an email: “even expressions on my face Ah yes, to Glorify our Father's name in every circumstance, situation, facial expression, words stemming from a consecrated heart, to be of an encouragement and help in any way we can for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, is a part of glorifying our Father's name...” And that made me aware of times when after a challenging discussion with someone at work, when I am walking back to my office, how I may roll my eyes and sigh. Even our body language can help us be aware of our thinking! “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers…” Ephesians 4:29-32 Unwholesome words begin with unwholesome thoughts….
We can express love in how we THINK of and DEFINE each person in our hearts.
Philippians 4:8 gives us amazing guidelines regarding how we can express love in how we THINK of and DEFINE each person and situation in our hearts.
Whatever is true: not focusing on assumption, but on what we know
Whatever is honest (to revere, adore): not focusing on faults, but on what they have to offer
Whatever is just: not focusing on acts of injustice
Whatever is pure (holy, sacred, clean): focus on purity in relationships and chaste thoughts
Whatever is lovely (acceptable pleasing, agreeable): not focusing on conflict, but on common ground
Whatever is of good report (well spoken of, reputable, to speak auspiciously—conducive to success): focus on thoughts that help people succeed and be encouraged to go forward
Whatever is worthy of Praise: Find a way to appreciate and bless the one who I am irritated by, and find a way to express it.
Of coarse there are times when we must deal with negative issues, but never do we need to DWELL and live there in our thinking.
To glorify His name begins with using every thought as an opportunity to love, and then to find a way to express that love.
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