And so it begins…
Philippians 4:8-9
If you are anything like me, your thoughts run the gamut all day long. I am consistently running to the next thing on my calendar or to do list, while thinking about various people in my life and how I can meet a need. There are thoughts that weigh me down when I dwell on them, and there are thoughts that lift me up. Often, my thoughts are centered on the task at hand which drives my next action. Other times my thoughts are focused on solving a problem, and other times my thoughts just want a break, so I go to a screen and consume Leann Morgan content. (I love her.) So here is my honest confession: My daily thoughts are often a roller coaster, and many times it’s not a ride I enjoy.
The admonition of our brother Paul in Philippians 4:8 is quite different from what I have described as my normal thought life pattern. As a Christian, this is the goal of our thinking:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
My mind immediately takes a deep breath and when I read the words: noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Those words alone give me comfort and cause my mind to settle. How about you? That sounds like a wonderful way to think and a very secure mindset.
But in this passage I notice Paul does not prescribe how to think like this. He just basically says, “think like this.” So my question to Paul is HOW? How do I have that kind of mind Paul? Come on! That is not an easy command to live. And it’s almost as if Paul heard my question because he continues on into verse 9. I believe verse 9 unlocks the key to thinking the way Philippians 4:8 commands us to think.
Philippians 4:9 – Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Paul doesn’t stop with telling the Philippians to be good thinkers, he then says, be good copiers. Imitate the person who thinks nobly. Imitate that person who has an excellent thought life. Paul tells the church in Phillipi to follow his pattern of life (his habits) and his doctrine (the teachings of God’s Word). Paul doesn’t ask them to do something without giving them a practical way to do that. He gives them himself as the role model.
I am 52 at the time of this writing. I was born in 1974. When I think about all the things I have learned and put into practice in my life during the various decades I have lived, the things that have benefited me and even the things that have not benefited me, they are typically things I put into practice because I saw someone else doing them. I imitated their behaviors. People are designed by God to learn from others. This is why Jesus spent 3 years teaching the disciples. 3 years is a long time. He taught them every day for three years. Those disciples learned by watching Jesus and doing what he did. Jesus believed in the power of mentorship. (It’s almost like he knows how we are created. HAHA)
Paul is telling us the same thing. First he says, THINK well. The best resource for thinking well is the Scripture. Then he says, FIND SOMEONE to imitate. And that someone (or a variety of someones) need to be trustworthy and reliable Christians. They need to be people who bear good fruit. Paul was bearing good fruit. He wasn’t being boastful here, he was just saying, “watch me live my life and do what I do. I am walking with Jesus and as I follow him, you copy what I am doing.” This is the pattern. Think Biblically and you will think biblically when you find someone to copy who is living Biblically.
At this stage of my life I am very burdened for the women behind me to have someone to copy. I have been VERY blessed in my life with incredible preachers who have trained me well in the Scriptures. I have benefited greatly from a treasure trove of good doctrine. I even went to Seminary and got a Master of Divinity (the preachers degree!). I have always loved God’s Word and wanted to know what the preachers know! I know that what was invested in me from a very young age has anchored me well and continues to help me discern right from wrong.
Second, I have been very blessed with godly mentors. I thank God for being raised by Christian parents who did their best to uphold to God’s Word in how they lived and never ever doubted its veracity. I have been blessed with many female role models and sisters in Christ who have pushed me toward Christ. As I have said I have benefited from incredible exegetical preaching on a weekly basis and have seen God bring revival to an entire generation while in college. God has allowed me to experience Him in special ways. And now I am watching my children come up and wondering if they too will have someone to copy, someone to teach them, and someone to be a Paul to them. I pray so.
So my goal with this first blog post is to share the intention of my ministry, Noble Ministries. These verses, Philippians 4:8-9 are the guide. The aim of this ministry, Noble Ministries is to give voice to what is true and expose women to godly mentors. I am going to share what I have learned along the way. I am going to share stories of women who I admire and trust, women who bear good fruit. I am praying that this weekly blog, email, and website become a trusted resource for women who desire to love Jesus and follow his ways. In a world of endless information and ‘influencers’, my prayer is that this website becomes a bright light guiding you to the Truth and to women who are following that Truth every day.
So stay tuned! This is going to be fun.
Eternity Awaits!
Amy