Meditate and Regurgitate

Philippians 4-Part 4
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.   (emphasis added)
Philippians 4:8-9


LET IT GLOW

Have you noticed that often the answer to  mysteries are  told at the beginning of the story, then the details are revealed? To me, that's the way Paul wrote these verses. He tells us to think on these things and the God of peace shall be with you. However, he names the things first. Yesterday, we learned that God's peace comes when we pray and give Him thanks.
Whatever the Philippians had learned, received, and observed in and from Paul, he wanted them to model and cultivate. So it is with in the effective Christian life.


LET IT GROW

I grew up on a cattle and broiler (chicken) farm. We still have cows  on our farm. When I look out a window, there is always a cow to see. Sometimes I stop and watch them. One thing I have noticed is that they eat hay or grass and drink water. Duh. Stay with me. After they get their stomach full, the cows lie down and chew. They start the process of regurgitation. Their food is brought back up into the mouth and salava juices are added to it as they chew it again. This process takes a while. They just lie there, chewing, minding their own business, resting in the shade, usually. Get the picture? Is that how I should meditate on God's Word?
Paul tells us to think on these things. (emphasis added)

According to Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, think means to consider, take account, weigh, meditate on.
In Strong's Greek Dictionary,  things is a matter or topic, a saying or word.

NAS says in the last part of verse 8, " let your mind dwell on these things."

"What you think about in your unguarded moments reflects what your mind dwells upon. What you speak about when your guard is down is a good gauge of what is in your heart (Matt. 12:34)," Henry Blackaby tells us in Experiencing God Day-By-Day.

Got it. Paul is saying for me to meditate, let my mind stay on these things (God's Word).
"So much of  the walk of the Christian comes down to the mind," states David Guzik.
We are to renew our mind (Rom. 12:2) and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
(2 Cor. 10:5).
Meditate. On what things? To find the answer, I looked at the beginning of that sentence. Here's the what that Paul is saying to meditate on, those things we are to put into practice:

1. TRUE-an actual occurance.*
               -agreeable to Scriptures of truth, the Gospel of truth. (John Gill)
               -truth in our words and engagements. (Matthew Henry)
               - In John 14:6, Jesus  says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

2. HONEST-to be venerated for character, honorable of deeds.*
                    -in the sight of me; or grave, or "venerable" in speech, in action or attire. (John Gill)
                      (venerable means old-fashioned, dignified)
                    -honorable, dignified, worthy of reverence. LBC
                    -In Romans 12:17b, Paul says, "Provide things honest in the sight of all men."

3. JUST-that which regard for duty demands, what is right.*
             -holy, equity (of character or act), righteous. **
             -giving to God what belongs to Him and to man what is his due. (John Gill)
             -righteous relations between man and man, and man and God. LBC
             -"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him," states
                Proverbs 20:7.
             -"The just shall live by faith," says Hebrews 10:38.

4. PURE-pure from fault, immaculate.*
              -clean, modest, perfect, chaste. **
              -chaste, in word and deeds; holy; holiness of heart and life. (John Gill)
              -stainless, chaste, unsullied. LBC
              -"Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself
                pure," Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:22.

5. LOVELY-acceptable, pleasing.*
                    -friendly towards, acceptable. **
                    -to cultivate and increase love, friendship and amity among men; and which things also are
                      grateful to God and lovely in His sight. (John Gill)
                    -lovable, endearing, amiable, gracious, charming, pleasing, winsome. LBC

6. OF GOOD REPORT-well reported, sounding well. (Young's Analytical Corncordance to the Bible)
                                        -things spoken in a kindly spirit, with good-will to others. *
                                        -well spoken of, reputable. **
                                        -attractive, fair speaking. LBC
                                        -"For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good report," states Hebrews 11:2.

[Resources: *denotes from Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament,
                  ** denotes from Strong's Greek Dictionary,
                  LBC denotes from Liberty Bible Commentary]

I am supposed to meditate on things, that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. My thoughts, words, actions or deeds are to be characteristic of them. I am to put them into practice. It helps to me to memorize Scripture and learn praise songs. What do you do?

LET IT GO

Practice speaking what is true and lovely.

Be honest and  just.

Regulate my thoughts so they give a good report of me.