Truth

“Furthermore, brothers, whatever is true,
 whatever is honorable, whatever is just,
 whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
 whatever is kindly spoken, whatever is lofty,
 and whatever is praiseworthy,
 put your mind on these.”     (Philippians 4:8-Berkeley New Testament)

Last night when I let the dog outside before we went to bed, I stepped out onto the patio with her and looked up into the sky.  I was entranced by the crisp, clear beauty of the night and the stars sparkling in the darkened heavens above.  It had been a rough day emotionally, and the still wonder of the night brought a peace to my heart and mind.

This morning as I arose, I felt a relentless tug inside my head trying to convince me that things were changing beyond my control, but the words of Philippians 4:13 that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”  (NKJV) kept pulsating from my heart.  The power of the truth of that verse has kept me going over the last week or so, and I was not about to let go of it now!  When I sat down at my desk I opened my little 1945 first printing edition of the Berkeley New Testament to Philippians four and feasted on the banquet that was set before me.

As I was enveloped in the meat of His Word, the fullness of verse eight came into fruition.  Suddenly the higher truth of God’s Word that supersedes the facts surrounding my wife’s health came into effect and that relentless tug was swept away in a resurgence of faith.  Philippians eight starts out by encouraging us to put and keep our minds on whatever is true.  The rest of the verse names specific areas to focus on, but it all is describing God’s Word.

I like to know the facts.  I have literally spent hours in discussions with health care professionals concerning my wife’s condition.  I have also spent additional countless hours studying the current medical treatments, collegiate research, and the numerous claims of natural healing regiments, no matter how serious or far-fetched they may be.  Believe me when I say that I know exactly what we are up against.  But thank God, I also l know of a greater truth of a greater power that is higher and more authoritative than the adverse sentence pronounced in the natural realm.

I can’t help but remember the words that Jesus immediately interjected into the factual conversation that had just occurred between the leader of the synagogue and some others who came reporting the death of his daughter.  Before anyone had the time to consider the facts, Jesus “told the synagogue leader “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.’” (Mark 5:36 God’s Word)  In other words, He was telling the man to keep his focus on his faith in the higher truth of his belief in the power of God over the mere natural facts that he had just heard.

Where is the focus of your faith today?  What is the higher truth of God’s Word that supersedes the situation that you are facing?  I would venture to say that if there is any fear present within you, then you’re looking at the wrong thing!  My advice?  STOP, grab your Bible and find His Word of truth that stands over and above the facts.  Look at whatever is true, whatever is lovely, and whatever is praiseworthy.  “And whatever you have learned and mastered and heard and seen in me, that put into practice.  And the God of peace be with you.”  (Philippians 4:9 Berkeley)

Keep all this in mind this week and you’ll have the greatest week of your life!  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What TRUTH am I expecting today?”