We are talking about thinking about things that are "LOVELY" with this
posting!
But first.....
I HAVE TO share this video with you that I found while researching
the story in 2 Kings 5 regarding Naaman. I have not quite figured out,
yet how these two connect, but I am working on it.
Here is the video that REALLY encouraged me!
W.O.W.
Did that encourage you?
It SURE encouraged me to keep doing my little part to:
<>Give someone a smile
<> Pat someone on the back
<> To say "Thank you, I appreciate that"
<> To talk to them about having peace with God
<> To tell them about the ways of God, His miracles and His love
I think I have figured out how this video and the story of Naaman in
2 Kings 5 fit together.
The servant girl that ENCOURAGED Naaman to talk to Elisha,
the prophet, so he could be healed, was a captured servant Israeli girl.
She was one of the lowest classes of people,
yet she spoke up for Jehovah, the One True God!
She did not say much, but what she said
had an impact on her world and
even us in our 2009 world.
Her unashamed boldness to speak out and help someone
had a ripple effect on those around her
just as Mr. Frank Genor did in his world in Sydney, Australia!
At this posting, we are looking at the work "LOVELY" in Chapter 4, verse 8.
"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 NIV
Lovely means:
- That Which Excites Love
- Endears
- Exquisitely Beautiful
- Very Pleasant
- Enjoyable
He wants us to think about anything else BUT things that are lovely.
Satan approached Eve in the Garden of Eden,
through her mind. (2 Corinthians 11:3, Genesis 3:1-7)
What goes on in your mind CAN affect your relationships...
on the word "lovely"...
I am going to go the opposite way
and talk about something totally
opposite of "lovely" ~ SIN
When we start to think about the world
and the things of this world....
it can lead to sin.
Sin and leprosy which can leave you unable to function properly,
From:The Healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-19)
By: J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M.
at www.bible.org
"The pain of leprosy, at least in certain forms, was not acute because it also killed the nerves in the affected area, but it kept the victim restless, miserable, and frustrated as they felt the stigma of the disease. They saw portions of their bodies become numb, muscles atrophy (waste away), tendons contract making the hands like claws, and then the ulceration of the fingers and toes and hands and feet resulting in their loss bit by bit until the whole hand or foot was gone.
We must not miss the picture God wants us to see from this emphasis in Scripture. Sin is like this. Because of man’s separation from God, because of his spiritually dead condition and the hardness of his soul, he becomes insensitive, callused, restless and never satisfied. He often does not experience severe pain from his sin and waywardness, only insensitivity, restless misery, and futility, ever seeking some means of fulfillment running from one thing to another. Even in apparent prosperity and happiness, not only is there a certain amount of inner peace and true happiness missing, but their ultimate plight is death, loss, and the judgment of separation.
Because of the nature of the disease, the leper was often considered as dead; it was a kind of living death though physically alive. So men without Christ are nothing more than the living dead; though walking about they are spiritual zombies. (Ephesians 2:1)
Regardless of one’s position, honor, power, possessions, or wealth, leprosy, like sin, is no respecter of persons. Naaman was a man of position and prestige, but he was also leprous.
Finally, the leprosy of sin destroys the pleasantness and beauty (or LOVELINESS that) God meant for mankind in His creation. Sin deforms us, but in Christ we are made new creations and can be transformed into His glorious likeness.
Namaan held a high position, but had a very great problem. We need to understand that God often uses the personal failures, sicknesses, and problems of men as a means so bring them to the end of themselves and to a knowledge of the Lord and His salvation. God uses problems in life to force us to face our deeper problem, the problem of sin, and the need of God’s forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ. Naaman came to know the true God."
Naaman came around to think on the lovely things.
Naaman came around to think on the One True God.
Naaman came around to KNOW the One True God!
May we know Him.
May we turn our eyes away from the ugly sinful thoughts.
May we turn our eyes to the things that are true, noble, right, pure and lovely.
May we turn our eyes and thoughts to Him.
I want to leave you with this song...
May you look full in His wonderful (lovely) face ~ Amen.
Debbie G.
