ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (APRIL 19, 2012)

The Root of the Problem

Philippians 4:4-9


"Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit."
(MATTHEW 7:17-18)

Many fruit trees are susceptible to root rot. Usually, by the time you know the tree is sick, it's too late. The damage has been done at the root and is just now showing above ground. There's no treatment. You just have to remove the tree, literally getting to the root of the problem.

Christians cannot act like Christians unless they think like Christians. In Philippians 4 Paul pleads with two women to "agree with each other in the Lord." The two had a history of working in God's service, but somewhere along the way they had a falling out, and now their ministry was off course. How sobering to be named in the Bible for your disagreeable attitudes! They were neither thinking nor acting like Christians.

So how should a Christian think? "If anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" (v.8). What is more excellent and praiseworthy than Jesus Himself? If we really think on Him, we can't help but act like Him. And the good news of the Gospel will go right to the root of our sin problem.

INSIGHT
GOOD ACTIONS BEGIN WITH GOOD THINKING. DEVELOP THE HABIT OF THINKING LIKE JESUS AND YOU WILL ENJOY THE HABIT OF ACTING LIKE HIM.

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Samuel 19
Psalm 145
2 Thessalonians 1-3

Philippians 4:4-9
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.


UNBROKEN

A lesser man would have broken. He was adrift for 47 days in the Pacific and spent the duration of World War in a Japanese concentration camp. He was determined to live, but had yet to find true life.