WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY
MEMORISE:
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11
READ: Philippians 4:8
8 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.
MESSAGE
Things described as ‘lovely’ are very beautiful or attractive. Heaven for example, is a very lovely place; everything in heaven is extremely beautiful and attractive. Revelation 21:21 says:
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
Heaven is also a place of extreme joy; there is no pain or sorrow in heaven.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4
These Bible verses tell us straightaway that there is a link between thinking on lovely things and having joy. The more you think on lovely things, the more joyful you become and vice versa.
Many people are depressed today because they keep thinking of things that are not lovely despite having many beautiful things around them to think of. If you find yourself in a state of depression, then it is time to quickly switch your thinking gear to the lovely things. Think about the fact that your eyes can still see clearly enough to read the Open Heavens Devotional every morning, that you can walk, that you can dress up yourself. You may be considered a dog now, but Ecclesiastes 9:4 says that a living dog is better than a dead lion. The fact that you are still alive is a lovely thing to think about because that means there is hope for you. If you are not looking for someone to donate a kidney to you because yours is still working fine and your heart is still beating normally, all these and more are lovely things to think on.
Even if you think there is nothing lovely to think about in your past, think of the lovely future that God has promised you; that you will one day lend to nations (Deuteronomy 15:6), that you will heal the sick and raise the dead (Mark 16:17-18), that you will live a beautiful life with your children all around your table (Psalm 128:1-3).
KEY POINT
Focus on the lovely things the Lord has done or promised to do and always and always let His joy flow through you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 116-118
HYMN 3: DEEPER DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS
1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher ev'ry day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy word.
2 Deeper, deeper! blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
3 Deeper, deeper! tho' it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
4 Deeper, higher, ev'ry day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
