Allia Zobel Nolan - Faithgirlz! Whatever. Livin the True, Noble and Totally Excellent Life

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Raise your hand if you dont use the word whatever. Thought so.

Everyone uses it, a zillion times a day. Like when your BFF says, Want to go to the movies? And you say, Sure. Then she asks, What movie? and you answer, Whatever. Or while youre downloading music, your little sister says, Can I paint the cats nails? And you answer, Whatever. Its kind of like saying, Who cares? Do what you want.

But bet youd be surprised to know this: Jesuss friend Paul used the W word, too, way back when nobody texted and kids wore togas to school. In fact, he repeated it six times in a letter to the Philippians. Why? To emphasize a pointhe wanted to teach people that all sin begins first in the mind, with a thought, and that thoughts were linked to actions. So if they thought good things, theyd be more likely to do good things. He also wanted them to realize they could control their thoughts. So he gave them a list to use as a test when they were deciding whether something was worth thinking about. Was the thought true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy? If not, Paul suggested they fuggetaboutit.

So whats this got to do with you today? Well, what Paul said to the Philippians way back then is just as important now. Our minds are one of the Lords most awesome gifts. We can use it to glorify him, show him our love, and win ourselves eternal life. Or we can waste it, make the deceiver happy, and wind up where its decidedly hotter.

The Bible says, let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know what Gods will is for you (Romans 12:2 NLT).

So start now. Open up your mind and fill it with whateverwhatever is pleasing to Godand see how following the Lord and living the Whatever Scripture Way, instead of any which way, can make a huge difference in your life.

Next time a friend says, Whatever say, Philippians 4:8. When she says Huh? tell her about the Whatever Scripture way. You might just start a movement.

Years before Paul, David also prayed to God for help in avoiding dumb stuff. Turn my eyes from worthless things, he said, and give me life through your word (Psalm 119:37 NLT).

Lord, youve given me such a wonderful gift: my mind. Help me to put it to good use by focusing on you and your Wordespecially the Whatever virtues. Amen.