What's with Regret?

Regret is one of the biggest weapons Satan has against a Christian, but at the same time it's something we choose to do. There is a time for everything, including regret, but after you have been forgiven regret is doubting God really did forgive you. I think it's safe to say most of the times you have felt regret, it was is was in a sinful manner

God feels regret (Genesis 6:7; 1 Samuel 15:11), which means that there must be times when it's okay to feel regret, but these are in very emotional times such as before the great flood.

I'm not God and so I can't give a list of all the times its okay to feel regret, but through what the bible does say, we can understand why regret is such an issue and why we shouldn't do it. First of all, I guess would be examples of people who have felt regret in the bible

1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3)
2. David (1 Chronicles 21:8)
3. Ahab (1 Kings 21:27)
4. Peter (Mathew 26:75)
5. Judas (Mathew 27:3-4)

Whenever any character in the bible is described as feeling regret, they have done something terrible. These are good times to regret, but lingering on regret is when it becomes a sin.

There is the initial regret, shame, guilt, whatever you want to call it after you sin, but asking for forgiveness should follow. There can be a state mourning, but it can't last forever. Just look at this verse from 2 Corinthians:

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
2 Corinthians 7:10

There is a time of sorrow, but after the mourning is up, regret needs to be gone.

I don't know how many times I've laid in bed thinking of things done and just thinking about how stupid that was. That's a sin. It's not godly.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
Philippians 3:13-15

I have used this Philippians passage in many posts, but in the light of regret, it takes a whole new meaning.

Forgetting what is behind

Regret hinders us in our walk with God! In order to get to the goal, to get the prize we must forget what is behind us! Just like we ought to forgive and forget, we must also be forgiven and forget.

If you can forget the past, you'll miss out on a lot of life. God has wonderful things in store for you, but you have to look for them or you'll miss out.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 42:18-19

Sources:
http://www.openbible.info/topics/regret
http://www.gotquestions.org/shame-regret.html
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Regret

Photo Credit:
http://alexrister1.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/

Without Excuse

I think pretty much everyone hates excuses. We can make excuse now, but when God judges us after our death, there are no excuses

Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 1:32

A few posts ago, I wrote on what the bible says about homosexuality. When I read over that post a few days ago, this last verse stuck out to me. Particularly the first part, "Although they know God’s righteous decree..." 
Early in this chapter, Paul writes this famous verse:

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Roman 1:20

So pretty much, Romans one is telling us that God is not one for excuses. When we die, no one is going to get to heaven by excuse (Luke 14:16-20) because we all know. No one needs to read the bible to know who God is. And no one has to read the bible to know what sin, or that it's wrong.
Then there are excuses we might try to make after we've come to Christ, but there are tons of excuses that are mentioned all throughout the bible, including these:

1. I'm not good enough (Exodus 4:10-17)
2. I'm to good to do that (2 King 5:1-14)
3. They won't listen (Ezekiel 2:1-7)
4. It wasn't me, it was _____ (Genesis 3:9-13) (1 Samuel 15:17-21)
5. Maybe tomorrow... (Proverbs 27:1)

People all over the bible make excuses time and time again and God is always shown to despise them. I think it's safe to say we all struggle with making excuse. I know I do.
But excuses go against the bible. They allow us to think that we can get away with things when really, we can't. On day, all of us will stand before God and all the excuses we've made will be worthless. Only Jesus can excuse our sin.
So stop with the excuses. You are capable of anything God calls you to do! 

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

Photo Credit:
http://simplechristianthoughts.com/without-excuse/

Is Grace Cheap or Costly?

One thing that Christians disagree on is whether grace is cheap or costly. First, what does this mean.
What is cheap grace?

• Commonly viewed as the grace of the gospel
• No strings attached
• No repentance is necessary 

What is costly grace?

• The grace of the gospel
• The bible say that we bought at a price. (1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Cor. 7:22-23)
• We have to repent to become a Christian.

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:25-27

This is what Jesus says we must do to become a Christian. This is the cost of becoming Jesus' disciple. Hat is strong wording for "you must love your family a lot less than you love God." Here is how Mathew wrote down Jesus' statement:

"Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Mathew 10:37-39

The two very condition for become a disciple are this:
1. Hate
2. Die
Hate is a strong way to say you must love yourself much less than you love Jesus and Take up your cross is a strong way to say that you must die to yourself.

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.' "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won't he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Luke 14:28-33

The cross ought to be a living reminder of Jesus' suffering.
True disciple count the costs and consider Jesus worthy of their complete surrender
Count the cost before you call yourself Christs disciple.
1. Put Jesus above all other relationships
2. Bear your cross daily
3. Renounce your possessions  and repent of selfishness
To lose your life to Christ is to gain

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:7-11

Grace is not cheap. It's costly. Jesus paid for grace to be obtainable and if we understand what Grace really is, we will serve God. Not because we have to, but because we want to. Understand Grace means understanding that you can't repay God and because you can't repay God, you willing become his servant.

Prayer

I've been doing a study on prayer (and how God wants us to pray) for a few days, and I am going to share what I found out about prayer.

Preparation:

• Pray alone. (Mathew 6:6; Mathew 14:23)

I am not saying group prayer are wrong, the bible actually does encourage it (Mathew 18:20). What I mean by this point is that the group prayer should not be the only praying you do. While group prayers are good, you also need some time to talk with just God.

• Awareness (Romans 8:26-27)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27
Be aware that you prayers are never going to be the way God wants them to be (We don't even know what should pray about). Just be aware of the fact that you can't pray in the right way.

What does God look for in Prayer?

• Heartfelt reverence (Hebrews 5:7)

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Hebrews 5:7-9

• Emotion (Hebrews 5:7)
• Praise (Mathew 6:9; Luke 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:12)
• A humble spirit (Proverbs 28:9; Mathew 6:7-8)
• Boldness and Persistence (Luke 11:8; Hebrews 5:7)
• Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 5:13)
• Admitting your needs and the needs of others (Luke 11:3-4; Mathew 6:11-12; James 5:13; Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18) 
• Asking for strength when your tempted. (Luke 11:4; Mathew 6:13)
• Prayer for your enemies (Mathew 5:44)

Conclusion:

God wants us to pray all the time! (Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Jesus (God's Son = God?)

I know that Jesus is God because the bible says so. This is something that a lot of people argue about, but why I do not know, because the bible clearly states that Jesus is man, and is God. Anyway, I'm gonna prove my point in this post.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-4; 14

Nothing was made without the word (Jesus) because Jesus is God. Jesus became flesh (human) and lived on the earth.

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:3

Jesus (the son) is exactly the same has God, and is a physical representation of who he is, and now Jesus Christ is in heaven, sitting by the right hand of his father. And I know that one day, we will all bow before Jesus (Philippians 2:10) because he is God. Which leads me to my next verse.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Phillippians 2:5-11

Even Jesus says these things:

"I and the Father are one."
John 10:30

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
John 8:58

By calling himself "I am", he was saying he was the same as the God of Abraham (Exodus 3:14)

For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
John 5:18

This one says it all, the Pharisees knew that if Jesus was God's son, he would be equal with God! If even the stubborn, hardhearted Pharisees understood that, then why can't so many people today understand it?

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
Matthew 1:23

The Jesus is God because he was to be called God with us.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
2 Peter 1:1

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--
Hebrew 2:14

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:5

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 4:4

I here's chart that I made about Jesus being man and God

Chart created by me, but text inspired by carm.org (http://carm.org/jesus-two-natures)

Taken from: http://blog.mrm.org/2012/12/the-trinity-mormonisms-rejection-of-gods-highest-revelation-part-4-of-4/

So there it is, my proof in a condensed form.

Still not convinced? Here are more verses you should look at.
Mathew 4:7, John 8:58, John 1:14, Luke 7:16, John 10:30, Hebrews 1:8, Luke 5:21-22

Sources:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/04/10/the-real-jesus#fnList_1_9
http://carm.org/jesus-two-natures

Photo Credit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dirk_van_Baburen_-_Kroning_met_de_doornenkroon.jpg
http://blog.mrm.org/2012/12/the-trinity-mormonisms-rejection-of-gods-highest-revelation-part-4-of-4/

Holidays: Christmas Edition 2012

Merry Christmas everyone! I have decided to hopefully give you some new thoughts on Jesus and his birth. I actually wrote this post up in May, and it's finally the right time of year to post it!

Jesus Christ was born in a manger for one reason. Humility.

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthains 9:19-23

Paul is like Jesus because while Jesus is a king and ruler of the world, he became a like everyone else to win as many as possible. The king was willing to humble himself and be born in a manger. Jesus put himself lower than some of us are.

There are a lot of ministries that help people, I’ll take Samaritans Purse for example, an origination provides for the needy people of the world.

But there are very few people who will become poor to help the poor or homeless to help the homeless. Don’t take this the wrong way. I think Samaritans Purse is a great company and I am not trying to criticize them, but trying to say that Jesus did more than help people he became like those he was trying to help to win as many as possible.

We want to help people without sacrificing our comfort. Just be glad Jesus doesn't feel the same.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Philippians 2:5-7

Jesus took the low place with his birth, life, and even death. I doubt he was ever envied, especially as he died nailed to a tree.

When a king a queen have a child, everyone know about it, but only high classed people are allowed to see the child. In Jesus’ case, his father sent his messenger (an angel) to low class smelly peasants (Shepherds) so that they could see the newborn king.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you

Luke 2:11

Look at the last word of Luke 2:11. YOU. For unto the low class Jesus has been born not to the nobles or kings, but to those who work with sheep. And they were most likely the first to see Jesus besides Mary and Joseph.

Jesus wasn’t even average, he was considered below average. He became below average to reach those below average. If you have read about Jesus life, then you know that Jesus was despised by the Pharisees (the above average). If Jesus wanted to reach them, he would become above average, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to reach those who were poor.
Even as a baby, the high ranking people did not like Jesus. King Herod tried to kill Jesus as infant because he misunderstood Jesus. He thought that Jesus was for the upper class, and didn't want to except that.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
John 1:10-11

Even today, the world does not receive God. Instead of saying "Merry Christmas" we say "Happy Holidays" or "happy Xmas" People have marked Jesus out of the picture with a great big X over his name.

Even in the modern world his own do not receive him. The people of today want to be in darkness, so they reject the light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves
Colossians 1:13

The only reason we are in the light and accepted it is because God forgives. And he forgives because Jesus was willing to be rejected by the human race. He was willing to be mocked and beaten up.

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.

Luke 1:46-55

This is Mary’s song Mary sang this before Jesus was born. “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.” Mary understood that Jesus wasn’t here for the rich. She knew that the rich wouldn't even want Jesus. If the rich were hungry, then Jesus would have given them some food...and there was a small amount of rich people who were "hungry" (Like Nicodemus, the Pharisee (See John 3 for more information))  She knew that he was here for the poor, the ones who knew that they need Jesus. The poor knew they were hungry, but the rich thought that they were full. Mary understood that God chose her to carry his son because of “the humble state of his servant.” Mary understood the humbleness that was in the manger.

Are you ready for Christmas? Be sure you don't get caught up in the celebrations, and remember to celebrate Jesus.

Here are a few Articles and Blog posts that are insightful and I would recommend reading this Christmas:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2010/11/30/born-in-a-barn
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/01/07/feedback-manger-misconception
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2002/12/24/what-was-star-bethlehem

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Sources:
http://www.providencebf.blogspot.com/2009/12/purposeful-humility-in-manger-scene.html
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2010/12/24/creator-in-the-manger
The Bible

Photo credit:
Jesus nailed to the Cross: http://candy-jesusesmidulcerefugio.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html
Christ(x)mas: Me
Santa: http://vsf15mm.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html

Be Ready

In America, there are many things that are encouraged, like that we should save our best for last. I think that there are so many thing we unknowingly work into our mind. There's that last little bit that gets all the glory, we focus so much on the end. Why? Why doesn't the middle mater? Well, to God it does. God wants your best now. Why? Well, you don't knowing when your end is...your death. If you want a great end, then you need to be ready always. Be great always. You could die any time, anywhere, any day. That is why you push. That is why you give your all, so your finish is great. Maybe you'll live a long life. Maybe you won't. Only God knows that. That why you don't save your best for last...you don't know when it is. You've got to show endurance and push, doing your very best until you cross that finish line.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Philippians 3:10-16

Paul says that he's running a race. In a race, if you're going to win you can't just push hard at the end. You have run or jog all the way. Walking is not an option if you want to win, so press on towards the goal to win the prize. God will will reward you in heaven.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

And again, Paul says life is a race. This time, he says only one person gets the prize. Run in such a way as to get the prize. Your reward is in heaven, not on earth.


I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
Acts 20:24


I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 
2 Timothy 4:7-8

Paul has now finished his race in this verse. You should race in such a way that when your race almost over, you know that there is a crown for you in heaven. 

since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3

You've got a race marked out for you, so run hard. And the best way to run hard is to fix our eyes on Jesus. So let's do so. And think of Jesus, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
This race is something worth fighting for, so stop saving your best for last.
As a Christian, your job and duty is to do things differently. People don't want to race hard until the end, they want to race hard at the end. If you want a crown, that's not how you race. That's how things have to happen. If you want to come to heaven having accomplished nothing, then you can walk across the finish line, but do you want to spend all of eternity knowing you did nothing with you life. Our minds cannot comprehend eternity, but imagine spending more than one trillion year in a place that is perfect and you get to Jesus and you have nothing to give back to him. Nothing at all. You will be in heaven, but don't you think you'd feel left out?

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12

There are tons of people wearing crowns as God gives them out to his faithful servants and you get nothing. People are telling about everything they've done for God and why they got there crown and you have nothing to tell.
Sure you'd be in heaven, but wouldn't you want a crown to adorn your head that shows what you've done for God? 
So be Ready. Know that you will get a crown in heaven. If you aren't sure, then figure out how to get one of God's crowns. Stretch before your race. Be totally prepared, and then when that race starts (If your a Christian, it already has) Run! Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. So train! Go! Fight! Win! You need to always be prepared for death know that you'll have a crown in heaven and if you aren't prepared death, then you might die unprepared. You might die and not receive a crown. So always be Ready.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the

author and perfecter of our faith

...Consider him...so that you will

not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:2a;3a,c

Everyone Shall Bow

God exalted him (Jesus) to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11


Jesus lived the most painful life anyone can every live, but he honored God. Jesus carried all sins that ever have and ever will be done. He came first humble and when he comes back again, every knee in heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow down to Jesus. If you die before this second coming, you'll still bow, if your in heaven, or in Hell (under the earth) if your still alive, then you'll bow down to. Jesus will get all the worship he deserves. Jesus is coming back as a ruler. Jesus has already come to earth once and when I was here, he was mocked and beaten and while on earth, but when he comes back again things will be so different.
As 2 Peter 1:16-17 says:
We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
God is well please with his son and he will make sure everyone else is well pleased with his son. So when Jesus comes back again, you'll be bowing. You'll be praising Jesus because of his glory and majesty.

A higher focus

This week, I went to a camp that had this theme:
MY FOCUS NEEDS THE RIGHT FOCUS
And I learned a lot there. for example, I learned of a cool verse, a bunch actually, here is one:


Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1


That was the theme verse, but another one which I remind myself throughout the day is this one:


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. Philippians 4:8

That camp taught me a lot, and all I want you to remember is to have the right focus, that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.

Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3