Think on These Things

          I know of several people who have quit watching the evening news.  It seems to me that news has changed from reporting news to making commentary on the news.  We have more commentary than we do news plus most of it is depressing to listen to.  It is not like we are burying our heads in the sand and ignoring what is happening but more of a distrust with all types of media.  We  only hear what they want us to hear and the rest goes untold unless we learn about it by accident.  There are some things that are more important to think about than what we hear over the radio, television and the newspaper.  Certain people that are on the television have received the "mute" button in our house.  When they come on, I hit the mute button as I don't want to hear anything that they have to say.  Well, then, where do we focus our attention?    Philippians 4:8 says, " Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things 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."  
     The Apostle Paul told the Philippians what they should think about.  In light of the events of the world, the things mentioned in this passage are not the normal things we think about.  The first category of Paul's list are the things that are true.  It would seem that we have to look far and wide to find things that are true especially when it comes from the different forms of media and specifically when it is found on the internet.  Once something is placed on the internet, it goes around and around and around again and many of the statements are false.  Once the falsehoods get on the internet, you can't seem to stop it no matter what you do.  There are even special groups who try to determine if statements made are true or not but we are not even guaranteed about the integrity of the special groups.  So, where do we find that which is true?  You guess it.  The Bible has long been considered to be the Book of truth.  I will place my confidence on the statements of the Bible and believe in the events it describes such as Adam and Eve, The flood, the parting of the Red Sea, the giving of the Ten commandments, Sodom and Gomorrah, the virgin birth of Christ, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and ascension of Christ into heaven long before I will ever regard the world's media system's statements.  The same is true with the other items mentioned in this passage.  The characteristics of honesty, being just, being pure, being lovely and the things that be of good report are far and few between, except in God's Word.  So, if you want to be encouraged today, take a look at God's Word.  If you want to find hope in the midst of lies and deceit, then take a look in God's Word.  If you want to find out what's going to happen in the future, take a look into God's Word.  Then, take the advice of Paul and "...think on these things."  Praise God today for His giving us His Word.