Your Bible Boost
Pastor Leonard Navarre
It’s all in how you look at it!!
Whether a glass is half full or half empty really depends on our perspective. Two different individuals can observe the same situation from totally different points of view. For example, there is an old story about 2 shoe salesmen who went to Africa. One failed miserably because he said, “nobody wears shoes down here”. The other one became a great success. He said “the opportunities are unlimited, nobody wears shoes down here”. Same situation two different perspectives.
Napoleon Hill relates the story of a young insurance salesman who went to a successful friend for 10 prospects to get him started. He said, “give me the names so I can tell people that you asked me to stop by.” His first calls were very successful, so successful he returned to his friend for 10 more names. His friend said he was busy and explained, “just get the names out of the phone book like I did. The salesman called on 10 more prospects, but his perspective was so different that he failed.
Have you ever noticed how 80 degrees feels so good during a cold spell but in the same room 6 months later we will set the thermostat at 70 degrees and enjoy the cool. The difference is perspective.
Perspective is an important part of Christianity. If we can trust in the statement, “all things work together for good to them who love God” (Romans 8:28) the whole event we are experiencing can be seen from a different perspective.
Let’s take a Biblical example. Remember Paul. The apostle. Paul was thrown in prison…is this good news or bad? Well, once again it depends on your perspective. From Paul’s point of view it presented many opportunities to tell others of his faith and to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here are a few things Paul accomplished for Christ Jesus as a prisoner…
Converted the Philippian jailer Acts 16
Witnessed to Governor Felix and his wife Drusilla Acts 24
Witnessed to Festus, King Agrippa and his wife Berneice together with the chief captain and the principal men of the city Acts 25
Paul brought the gospel to the Island of Melita Acts 28
In Prison Paul preached and taught for 2 years all who came to him Act. 28
He wrote 4 books of the Bible from prison which we have today
In prison Paul witnessed to the entire Praetorian guard and to all the rest Philippians 1
Made converts even in Caesar’s household Philippians 4
Because of Paul’s conduct in prison others preached more boldly without fear Philippians 1
What do we learned from Paul? Well let’s have Paul explain, he said, in Philippians 1:12, “what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”
Friends, there are many things which are out of our control. But our mind is not one of them. Each of us has direct control over our thinking process. So when things seem to go out of control we can set our perspective on things above. Colossians 3:1 says, “set your mind on things above.”
Whether the glass is half empty or half full…it all depends on your perspective. So friends our bible boost for today comes from Philippians 4 and verse 8,
“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.”
Until next time let us remember: “set your mind on things above.”
