Lord’s Day, Vol. 9 No. 25
Think on These Things
Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church’s 8th Family Bible Camp was held from 16 – 19 June 2021. The theme is “Think on These Things” taken from Philippians 4:8 is a follow-on of our 2018 camp on “Prayer” taken from Philippians 4:6-7.
Philippians 4:8 (KJV) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things areof good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Let your worries be given to God who has the power to help you. God’s peace is promised to the thankful believer who commits his life to God through prayer. We have learned about “anxiety and its cure.” In Christ Jesus, we have One who is at hand, ready and willing to be approached and spoken to, if we are encouraged and commanded to make our desires on every subject known to One who hears and can help; then why should we be anxious? Avail ourselves to Christ’s nearness, then being anxious will be needless as it is always useless. So shall a peace not of earth but of heaven keep as a fortress the heart and its thoughts: the seat of thought and the working of thought will both be safely kept where your true life itself is hidden with Christ in God.” (C. J. Vaughan)
I am concerned for your well-being especially this past year as we battle an invisible enemy that threatens our life and livelihood in a physical sense. But more so an enemy that threatens to derail our spiritual life and our spiritual walk by disruptions to our church life. We thank God for technology that enables the church to stay connected, so that we may continue to care one for another and grow spiritually through worship and sermons delivered via remote means of communication.
We recognize there is a limitation, however, God is not limited. We can still have access to sound biblical teaching of His Word by remote means for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). In the internet age, we say yes verily, as a church, our sound went into all the earth, and our words unto the ends of the world (Romans 10:18).
As such I believe, the Apostle Paul who was remotely isolated in prison when he wrote this epistle to the Philippians, has a most important task, like we do in BHBPC in this age and season, to fortify the hearts and minds of the church, to stay focus on Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Amidst all the isolation that can come to us, if our minds are stayed on Christ, there is the encompassing of all spiritual blessings.
He says in Philippians 4:8, finally, brethren, he is directing our focus, our attention, amidst many distractions and temptations, on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Source of truth, purity and life.
This message is given to all believers in Christ, born-again into the kingdom of God whom God has given a new mind by the spiritual rebirth that it may be kept pure from the corruption of the world.
We are commanded to give our worries and burdens to God in prayer with the promise that God’s peace will keep and guard our hearts as the psalmist affirms in Psalm 55:22 (KJV) Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
When we give the burdens of our hearts to our Lord, He also by the inspired and preserved words of God through the Apostle Paul instruct us to fortify our minds that we would dwell upon “These Things”.
These virtues are for our spiritual advancement:
- 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
When we consider the truth, it is ascertained by God’s Word, given by One that cannot lie – God. This is the foundation of our thought life.
John 8:32 (KJV) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Truth is so important, it will set you free, for if one believe in falsehood, such a one will be in bondage, deceived.
We have also distributed a booklet on Mediation, a compilation of many Puritan writers on this subject by Free Grace Publication for your reading and spiritual strengthening. May we take time to learn the skill of meditating upon God’s Word that we may be endowed with spiritual virtues for His honour and glory.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee