What’s going on in your heart has a direct effect on what’s going on in your mind and ultimately what you are experiencing in life. That’s why it’s so important to believe right. Proverbs 4:23 says to guard your heart above all else because it affects all that you are, even the course of your life. And the key to doing that is found in the previous verses that remind us to hear, see and keep in the midst of our heart and mind the Word of God.
Today, because of the cross, we who believe, can rightfully divide the Word and feed on the New Covenant of Grace; Jesus Himself. All of scripture points to Him, His love for you and what He finished on your behalf in His death, burial and resurrection.
When you hear and see Jesus, what He’s done and who you already are in Him, your heart will be established in The Faith. He wants your health and every part of your life to prosper AS your soul (your mind, your will and your emotions) prospers (3 John 1:2).
So to help with that, I’m going to highlight the 8 (number of new beginnings) Truths to think on listed in Philippians 4:8: “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 and think on these things,” and show you how each one points to Jesus and your identity in Him.
Beloved, especially now, when so much around us is vying for our attention and distractions are on the rise, thinking and meditating on your reality will lift you up, ease your heart, set free your mind and bless how you experience everyday life with Jesus even in the midst of hardship and struggle…
TRUE: Jesus is full of grace and truth because He IS Grace and Truth (John 1:14, 17). You are no longer under law (which was given at a distance through a man, Moses) but you are under Grace. Grace Himself came. Jesus came for you; to save you, redeem you, heal you, bless you, prosper you and keep you through intimacy with Him. He’s always giving, always supplying, and always favoring you freely with what you don’t deserve but get anyway because He paid for you to receive it!
NOBLE (Honorable): The King of Kings who created and formed you says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine. Since you are precious in My sight, You have been honored and I love you” (Isaiah 43:1, 4). Jesus wore the crown of thorns to crown you with glory and honor. You are a chosen child, a royal king/priest, clothed in Salvation and covered in His robe of Righteousness! (Psalm 8:5, 1 Peter 2:9, Isaiah 61:10).
JUST: Therefore, having been justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) by faith (believing), you have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:1). Beloved, because the blood of Jesus didn’t miss a thing, He was raised from the grave declaring you innocent – NOT GUILTY! You were raised with Him and now you are the righteousness of God in Christ! You are forgiven! There is therefore now NO condemnation; shame OFF you!
PURE: Because the Only Pure One took your impurities on His own body at the cross, you are now clean! Do not call unclean what God has cleansed! (Acts 10:15). Jesus’ blood has washed you whiter than snow! Don’t confess your shortcomings, confess your righteousness in Him. Righteousness has nothing to do with what you do. It’s a gift to be received by believing. Jesus Himself is your Righteousness. This means blessings are on your head and His favor surrounds you as with a shield (Proverbs 10:6, Psalm 5:12).
LOVELY: Jesus is the Only altogether lovely One (Song of Songs 5:16). He is the Rock and His work is perfect. He went about doing good, healing all who were oppressed by the devil. And He is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Acts 10:38, Hebrews 13:8). He is compassion and power, meekness and majesty, gentle and just, kindness and King, Lion and Lamb, Lover and Lord, Father and Friend. And this lovely perfect One says to you “My love for you is perfect because My perfect Sacrifice perfected you forever. You are all fair, My love, and there is no spot in you!” (Song of Songs 4:7).
GOOD REPORT: “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Jesus was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows marred beyond human recognition as He bore the suffering of our sin, curse, guilt and judgement. He was brutally wounded for our transgressions. He was pierced physically and in the heart for our iniquities. Stroke after stroke He took your sicknesses and diseases, pains and grief. And it is ONLY by His stripes we are healed and have peace! This is the good news beloved; the good report of the gospel! Jesus took our place so we could take His. Victory is yours, healing is yours, peace is yours, acceptance is yours, joy is yours! Take it and say “Thank you Papa!” (see Isaiah 53).
VIRTUE: In and of ourselves, we have no virtue. But your Father sees you through the lens of Grace; in the Spirit of His Son. In Christ, He sees you flawless and full of virtue. Not because of any obedience on your part, but because of Jesus’ perfect obedience at the cross. Now you can come boldly to the throne of grace and ask your Father for all you need and hear Him say, “Don’t worry about a thing My daughter (son). I will do all you ask and all that is necessary. For you are a virtuous woman (man).” (Ruth 3:11).
PRAISEWORTHY: Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits! (Psalm 103:1-5). Beloved, because Jesus has finished the work of redeeming you, giving you a new identity and seating you in Himself on the throne in Heavenly places, you can praise Him in spite of all you are going through because all you need is a done deal! He is good, He is faithful, and His grace endures forever! So sing to the Lord a new song! Magnify Him instead of your problems. Praise opens the door to His flow of favor. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12).
The Word is living and active and when it penetrates your heart it will divide Truth from lies. Let His love letter go deep. Think on the verses above. Speak them out and REST. Then, like the Apostle Paul, despite your storm, you’ll find yourself saying and believing, “I think myself happy” (Acts 26:2 NKJV).
Resting In His Love,
Annalee Reyes
- If you’ve never received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, accepted His forgiveness by His blood shed for you at the cross, and asked Him into your heart, you can now. Simply say, “Heavenly Father, thank you for giving Your Son up for me. I believe Jesus shed His blood at the cross, washing my sin away. I believe when He was raised from the dead, I was raised with Him. I am forgiven. Lord Jesus, come into my heart and live in me. I am now a child of God and a new creation in Christ; radically loved and forever favored. In Jesus Name, Amen.”