Engaging the Good Report

Text: Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Our text of today has given us hints on how to handle the troubles which we face today. We have received several benefits from God, but for us to enjoy the fullness of it, we need to adjust our minds to the things which are of good and useful report. There are times when we take in some pieces of information as report, which are meant to be trash, but because we are in total control of our thoughts, we miss the goods meant for us. We have to filter the multitudes of stories and reports we hear, so as to engage our minds with the right things. Try not to overload or overwork your mind with filthy things because the things which are characterized as pure are always in scarcity, if you do not surround yourself with people of like minds. We should always enlighten our minds with useful reports because the wrong things always keeps us so busy that we fail to hear or listen to the instructions or the voice of the Lord concerning those issues around us. Our minds should not be filled with worry, anxiety, or fear, but should be calm, quiet, and untroubled. Job 3:25- For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

Learn to fix your hearts on the right things and always meditate on lovely things. There are a lot of uncertainties  which we occupy our minds with on a daily basis, but instead, we should learn to think and put into practice things which are the best and not the worst; the beautiful and not the ugly; the praises and not the curses. It is an attitude we should intentionally develop and consciously guide, so as to keep our minds with useful reports. Although others are getting several negative reports, all we should hear should be automatically converted to good reports. Luke 21:26- Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. People are fainting because of alarming issues of the world, and they worry about what next would happen, but the good news is that all of the issues we are afraid of would never come to pass, because of God’s protection over us (His children). It is just a trick of the enemy to keep us down, so let us be absent, stay away and keep off from every appearance of evil suggestions around us. The take-home lesson for you today is: learn to walk and receive good report despite the bad ones flying everywhere.

PRAYER POINTS:

1) Oh Lord, occupy my ear with good news, as to always spread good reports everywhere I go, in Jesus name.

2) Father, help me to engage my mind with godly virtues even in this perverse world of negativity, in Jesus name.

3) Father, please help me to check what I listen to and shield my heart to conceive good news and avoid evil report, in Jesus name. 

Action Quote: Ask yourself: are you known as a carriers of good news or bad news?