In the early 1980’s, I was the agriculture teacher at Caledonia High School. One of my duties was to be the local FFA advisor. I took students from Caledonia to the National Future Farmers of America Convention which was held each year in Kansas City, Missouri. There were 22,000 students from all over the USA that attended this affair. All of the 22,000 students were dressed in the blue and gold FFA jackets, white shirts, black pants, and a black tie. Along with the crowd of students were thousands of agriculture teachers, as well as, national sponsors. Many guests attended including the Vice President of the U.S., TV personalities, and many corporate representatives representing the industry of agriculture. During one of the conventions, Dr. Norman Vincent Peal spoke on the power of positive thinking. When I heard that He was to speak, I had this thought: (What could an 85 year-old man tell a bunch of 16 year-olds?) When he spoke I saw 22,000 kids give more standing ovations than I had ever seen for many nationally known speakers.

While you and I may not agree with all of Dr. Peal’s thoughts— there is much that the Bible has to say about where yours and my thoughts should be. How are we to think? After all we are going through a time of shut-down, lock-down, and lock-up. For those of us above 65, we are told to stay in the house. What are we to do? What are we to think?

Read Philippians 4:8. Notice the words, “Think on these things.” We might say, what things?

Things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and things that are of good report.

Think on these things.

Philippians 4:13- Think on this scripture. What is Paul saying? Is He telling us to believe in ourselves? Is he saying to us, you are to believe that Christ empowers us to do whatever we set our mind to? No.

I can do all things through Christ— whatever Christ has for you to do, He will supply the power. Whatever gift He gives you, He will give you the power to exercise that gift.

Psalm 19:14. Have you prayed Psalm 19:14?

Who was David’s strength? Christ

Who was His redeemer? Christ

Who is your strength? ___________

Who is your redeemer? ___________

Read Proverbs 4:20-27. Read these verses again 5X. Meditate on these verses. Think on these verses. Ask God to direct your thoughts.

Pray.