MEMORISE: “He hath made everything beautiful in his time…” – (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
BIBLE READING: Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
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 21:21says:
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).
PRAYER POINT: Focus on the lovely things the Lord has done or promised to do and always let His joy flow through you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 116-118
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Whatsoever Things Are Lovely – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 14 July 2022
