LOOK AND SEE

Philippians 4:8


"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."


When was the last time you noticed a beautiful butterfly or a breath taking sunset?

Can you remember the last time you heard and noticed a young child laughing out loud or a bird chirping his sweet melody in a tree?
Many of us may answer almost everyday and it shows!

But, for some of us the answer may be, not for a very long time.

Be encouraged. 
God in His mercy and grace has given you today to begin looking around at His good and beautiful creation with a grateful heart.

There are still butterflies, sunsets, children laughing, birds singing and so much more today and everyday for us to observe and lift up our spirits.


A Local Mayor wanted to clean up his city and improve the neighborhoods for the citizens so he hired two people to help him with the project.

The first person was instructed to go out into the city and pick up all of the litter and trash laying around.

The second person was given instructions to go out into the city and bring back a sample of all the flowers and the blossoms of the springtime trees.

After the first week they both returned to the Mayor with their reports. 

The first person was so tired and discouraged. They reported, the city is filthy, there is litter and trash everywhere. As they walked out of the office they said,
"I am astonished how bad this city looks. I don't really like this job."

The second person walked in and reported the city is looking good. I didn't realize until you gave me this job how beautiful our city is. I found beautiful flowers everywhere and the trees are in bloom with picture perfect blossoms and sweet smells. They were excited to go out again next week. As they walked out of the office they said,
"I really like this job. Thank you!"

What made the difference?

The difference was in what they were each looking for.

What are you looking for each day?

If you are focused on the trash (sad, bad, negative) of life, you feel like trash and become discouraged.

If you are focused on the beauty of Christ, you know there is hope and God is in control.

Today is a great day to change all of that.
Today you can make the choice to look for God in your day. 

I guarantee it will change your life if you want it to. It changed mine!

I really like the wording in the paraphrase of the Message Bible:
Phil.4:8-9
"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."

START TODAY Looking for Good.

If you look for good you will find it.

Oh sure, there is plenty of bad and sad in each of our days and it cannot be denied. But the negative doesn't have to be our focus.

Look for the good things first and the sad,bad and negative will have less of an impact on each of our lives.

Today's Thought:

Lord, help me keep looking for the good in all things.


Start today making a list of all things that you see that are good and be amazed at the goodness of God.
Share what you find and we will all smile together.
Leave a comment of encouragement.