Philippians 4:8 Way to Think

Philippians 4:8

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.

Inspired 31's Cornerstone verse is Phil 4:8! Inspired 31 encourages our young women to use that verse as a "filter" for life/thoughts about life.

At our Inspired 31 Christmas Dinner as we went around and shared how God was doing an amazing work with Inspired, we shared specifically what we each were learning, and how God is at work stretching us! The various responses ranged from (God seemingly) supernaturally creating time, where there literally wasn't any... in some of the homeschooling moms schedule's, stepping out of our comfort zone, as moms thus modeling for our girls doing what we are sometimes uncomfortable or embarrassed to do. A few others were amazing surprises at how our giftings are being used, God answering specific prayers to step out in faith, and how Inspired 31 provided that opportunity, & lastly our unanimous agreement on how powerful Phil 4:8 is to women.

Because the Inspired 31 steering women are cheerful & encouraging & positive during our gatherings, and so truly gifted (oh through trials, not in pride) :) at practicing the point of view of Phil 4:8, we wanted to make sure we were clear that that is something we have learned, through the trials of life. We decided as a group that as my next blog entry I would share that it is through difficulty we learned that looking for the true, pure and excellent and praiseworthy aspects were what got us through our various different trials. We wanted to make sure you and your girls knew, that although our lives aren't all pure joy, we look with pure faith to our God to turn it into pure joy, and use everything to HIS good. (Of course, you know, but it's always good to communicate that :)

Life, here on earth, can be messy and complicated. I think this is what makes our relationship with God, specifically Christ, essential for joy. Joy in trials is something we Christians thoroughly understand, but only after a trial. There is joy in the peace that surpasses ALL understanding, not because we understand it, but because it is offered to us as a gift. It is in the not knowing the details necessarily, but in the knowing that God is in control and someday we will know fully, what we only know in part, here on earth. Even in our small steering committee discussion there was discussion of what had been overcome through our God! (Rape, Death-Loss of Beloved Ones, Illness, Disappointment, Rejection, Lack of Relationship (with parents, children, or beloved friends), Divorce, Financial Woes, Mean Kids, Child raising Issues, Drugs, Unforgiveness, Bitterness, Depression, Anxiety and more)

WE cannot overcome these earthly-life trials on our own. We overcome, because God is victorious over evil/Satan, always, as is promised in God's word. Through diligent prayer & reading of the bible God molds our character, with time. As in any relationship with no time put in....there is no REAL relationship. Relationship is authentic, and comes from time, both quality and quantity. (Godly council is crucial-when necessary-and following it as well!)

Our cornerstone verse Phil 4:8 is the cornerstone to what we are teaching our young women: Life is not perfect, but through your relationship with Christ and focusing on your blessings you will indeed survive, thrive and hopefully be instrumental in a younger believers journey to do the same.

My hope for your this Christmas Season is that you are thinking what is: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy!