“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.” Philippians 4:8 – (NKJV)
What are you willing to do for what you desire? Jacob was willing to wait and serve his father-in-law for fourteen years for the lady he desired to marry (Genesis 29:1-30). This is interesting but our focus today is on another interesting thing that Jacob did.
While Jacob was serving Laban, he carried out an experiment whereby he placed the patterns he desired his animals to have before them while they came to drink water and while mating. Remarkably, when the animals gave birth, the offspring had the desired patterns Jacob had placed before them (Genesis 30:37-40). Jacob’s experiment proves that you are explicitly a product of, and will inevitably reproduce what you constantly expose yourself to.
God promised to make Abraham great such that all nations of the earth would be blessed through him (which alluded to the promise of salvation through Jesus (Galatians 3:14)). To help Abraham grasp the magnitude of this blessing, God showed him the stars and told Him that as numerous as they are, so shall his descendants be (Genesis 15:4-5).Just imagine Abraham’s thoughts every night when he steps out under the stars. The picture of a possible reality that begins to form in his mind, influenced by this glittering picture constantly before him.
The content you constantly expose your mind to will significantly influence your effectiveness in fulfilling God’s purposes on earth. Given that we cannot isolate ourselves from the very systems we are meant to transform by the Gospel, we must pay extra attention to guard our hearts from allowing the world we are exposed to to form our dominant thoughts and imaginations (Proverbs 4:23). The psalmist said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11).
We are God’s envoys on the earth who are in this world, but we are not of this world. Through us the Lord will establish that indeed the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our God and of His Christ (John 17:16, Revelation 11:15). Hence, we cannot allow the systems in the world to be dominated by those who do not know God.
However, the journey begins in your mind and heart. You must build spiritual convictions about the promises and the will of God in your mind, making them your constant meditation till they reproduce themselves in this world in and through you. SAY THIS: I will continually meditate on the truth of God’s word. The word of God will find fulfilment in my life and will be established on the earth through me. The word of God will shape my disposition to the affairs of life.
Bible Reading Plan: Ephesians 3-4