Whatever is of Good Report

Have you ever wondered what your legacy will be, how you will be remembered? Alfred Nobel was one of the few people who got a preview of how he would be remembered when he read his own obituary in 1886. It was titled “The merchant of death is dead.” The French newspaper had made a mistake it was actually Alfred’s brother Ludvig who had died but Alfred was given a preview of how his life would be summed up.

Alfred Nobel was a trained chemical engineer and had become wealthy as a result of his scientific discoveries. His inventions included dynamite and the ballistic company; however, he did not want to be remembered as the merchant of death! In his will he left a large amount of his money to be used for prizes for those who had bettered mankind. One of the prizes is the Nobel Peace Prize.

“The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state...Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.” –James Allen, As a Man Thinketh. The Bible teaches that,” As a man thinks in his heart so is he” (Proverbs 27:3). There is a strong connection between what a person thinks about and what he does.

The book of Philippians tell us that we are to think about,” Whatever is of good report.”  Filling our minds with what is noble, laudable, reputable will affect who we are. If this is true then even what we entertain ourselves with will eventually affect who we are. Our thoughts, like seeds in a garden, will produce a crop.

Lord, help me to fill my mind with reputable thoughts. Please let my mind and my life reflect You. One of Your promises to those who choose to think on whatever is of good report is that You, the God of peace, will be with them.  Please let my reputation be that my life reflects a relationship with the God of peace.