Focused on things from above

"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." Philippians 4:9.

Paul knew that it was important for us to be focused on the right things in this life. That is what he tried to model during his ministry, and what he exhorted all believers to focus on. One of his final messages in the book of Philippians has to do with our earthly focus.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. 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." — Philippians 4:8-9.

Paul knew that, to reach our potential to stay on a godly path, we needed to focus on the good things, the things of God. We live in a world that isn't focused on such things. It values worldly things that are transient. That can shift our focus and put us in the wrong mindset.

Paul warned the Philippians about that in his letter. He urged them to focus on the things that were praiseworthy; the things he had tried to focus on after giving his life to Jesus. Paul knew the dangers of focusing on worldly things, and he tried to keep his friends from falling prey to that path.

Were he here today, I think Paul would wish the same for us. It's easy to give into negativity and the message thrown at us by the world, but is it good for us? Paul would say it isn't, and it's hard to argue with that logic.