Several years ago, the mnemonic GIGO was found everywhere. Originally, it was an acronym in computer science that meant “Garbage In – Garbage Out.” Ostensibly, if one were to input faulty data, one could expect nothing but faulty data to be crunched and output. Sounds like IT 101, doesn’t it? Yet, they had to coin a phrase for people to remember that faulty data stayed faulty, whether in or out of the computer.

People began to apply GIGO to other areas of their lives. It was soon caught up by those promoting healthy eating, for example. Put fat and sugar into your body; your body is going to output fat and, perhaps, sugar diabetes. By putting less than stellar effort into a project, you are going to end up with a less than stellar product. Even in relationships, GIGO could be applied – if you invest less of you in a relationship, the relationship is going to end up with you less the other person.

Not to belabor the subject, but folks, it is such a simple truism of life that I cannot help but look at our modern politics and see how GIGO has been applied. It’s hard to look at any organization today in August 2021 and not see this principle at work, sadly, big time.

As the news of the day becomes darker and darker each day, many are finding their peace is eroding. Apprehension of what is coming on the world has many running scared. Sleep aids are flying off the drugstore shelves, as are calming herbs and devices. Just ‘google’ SLEEP AIDS and see the number of products that pop up and the number of outlets from which you can purchase them, from Amazon on down. And that’s at the lower end of the scale. On the upper end, we are seeing an increase in the rate of suicides across the age spectrum as well as across the world.

The World Health Organization has posted, as of June 17, 2021, that one in 100 deaths is attributable to suicide, and more than twice as many men as women take their own lives. Again, not to belabor this idea, but to illustrate, the U.S. National Library of Medicine published an article with the following title: ‘The dual pandemic’ of suicide and COVID-19: A biopsychosocial narrative of risks and prevention.”

Feel free to do your own research about this phenomenon if you like. As for me, I’m wanting to get to the good news … so let’s go!

And here it is: GIGO can also stand for “Good In, Good Out,” and, my friends, it works exactly the same way as its negative sibling. Would you be surprised to learn that Apostle Paul knew this principle way back in the first century?

In Philippians 4:8-9b, we find that Paul wrote, “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.… And the God of peace will be with you.”

So let’s unpack this verse that is chock-full of gold nuggets of God’s wisdom.

Paul begins this verse with the word ‘finally,’ which is interesting because this is not the last verse in the Book of Philippians. The ‘finally’ is wrapping up the Apostle’s appeal for steadfastness and unity in the faith. In verse 4:2, he writes, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the LORD.”

Evidently, these two female leaders in the church have had some disagreement between them. However, Paul writes in verse 3 that they have both contended for the faith at his side, along with Clement and the rest of Paul’s co-workers. They are true workers in the vineyard, along with the other leaders in the church at Philippi. Now, we are not told what the two women argued about, but it was significant enough to be mentioned in the epistle and to be redressed by the Apostle himself. For it seems their argument was causing some friction in the church.

After he mentions this episode, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again, REJOICE! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near.”

He’s saying, ‘Don’t let disagreement take your focus off the LORD. Rather, REJOICE! Rejoice and let your gentleness show, for the LORD is near.’ Isn’t that great advice for today? I mean, how can you think to focus on a disagreement when you know that Jesus is so close? If Jesus was near to the first-century saints, imagine how much closer He is to us when the Rapture could occur now at any moment?

If we fill our minds with rejoicing over the nearness of Jesus, there is no room for arguments. In our joy over Jesus, we can stand steadfast and firm in our faith, which is needed in our day every bit as much as it was in the first century.

Then Paul writes: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In 2021, people get themselves upset over the craziest things. “I’m offended!” It’s the rant of the age. And, if the “I’m offended!” crowd were protesting about the unspeakable horrors going on in Afghanistan, for example, they would have a case. But the ‘offense’ is often something so trivial as to be laughable. But don’t you DARE laugh at the ‘offended one.’ They’re liable to call for your incarceration for being so intolerant.

If they could but focus on gratitude instead of attitude, if they would but fill their minds with prayer and thanksgiving, they would find a peace that they’ve never known before. It could even open them up to the love of Jesus Christ, of Whom so many in the world today are in such great need.

Now, those of us already saved in Jesus Messiah need to read these verses very carefully. If we are to be rejoicing in our faith in Jesus always, why are so many believers feeling depressed?

We find a clue in Psalms 42 and 43 where David asks, “Why, my soul are you downcast?” (He answers himself with the lovely words, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God.”) People have been taunting the psalmist with the sneering question, “Where is your God?” Those who think Christianity ought to be done away with seem to ask that question of us constantly. (Google, for example, Twenty Reasons to Abandon Christianity by Chaz Bufe. Spoiler alert – all 20 are easily refuted by Bible-literate Christians.)

And there it is — that negative GIGO! When these slings and arrows are flung at us every day on the internet, on television, and on social media, our minds can become overpowered by negativity. Garbage constantly going in is, indeed, going to result in outputting garbage, perhaps in the form of a downcast soul.

But God … But God, through Apostle Paul, gives us the fix. FINALLY, then, put into your minds more good, positive ideas and thoughts than negative. Fill yourselves with:

1.) Whatever is true. Today’s truth seems to be whatever anyone thinks it is … but that is NOT true. The Bible is true. Revelation 21:5 – “He Who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new.’ Then He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” Likewise, in Revelation 22:6, we read, “The angel (of the LORD) said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true. The LORD, the God Who inspires the prophets, sent His angel to show His servants the things that must soon take place.'” Prophecy is true. God’s promises are true and trustworthy. Fill your mind, soul, and heart with them.

2.) Whatever is noble. A quick reference to a dictionary shows the word ‘noble’ to mean “showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals. Noble can be used in place of righteous, virtuous, honorable, upright, decent, and so forth. When we input honor, virtue and decency, we are inputting nobility. Expect, then, the same to manifest in our lives.

3.) Whatever is right. If you are a Conservative (as I am), you may consider yourself to be “on the right.” It is not the same as being “in the right.” True righteousness is only attainable through the One and Only Righteous Person in history … Jesus Messiah. We need to seek His righteousness, not our own.

4.) Whatever is pure. Years ago, a Christian gentleman took me to task for using a slang word for manure. Swearing, to me, meant taking the LORD’s name in vain, not saying barnyard words. But he pointed out that when we allow such words into our everyday vocabulary, soon other words even more unacceptable tend to creep in. He said that pure language engendered pure thoughts, and he encouraged me to ‘clean up my mouth.’ Modern language, songs and movies can be governed by us. Purity in, purity out.

5.) Whatever is lovely. “How lovely on the mountain are the feet of Him Who brings Good News.” “You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me.” These lyrics of hymns resonate with me, as I hope they do with you, about contemplating what is lovely. Jesus IS lovely in every sense of the word. He is loving and kind, and He is lovely to behold.

6.) Whatever is admirable. What do you admire? Who do you admire? Why do you admire them? Think on the answers to these three questions; then you will know what is admirable and emulate it.

7.) If anything is excellent or praiseworthy. It’s a good habit to form to acknowledge excellence in others’ work. Your praise doesn’t have to be effusive. A simple, “Thank you for all you do in the LORD. Keep up the good work.” It seems to me that in many circles today, people have left off striving for excellence to the detriment of the community at large. The paragon of excellence for us is, of course, our Triune God, Who is perfect in every way. If Jesus had not fulfilled His mission excellently, perfectly, we would still be dead in our sins today.

Thanks be to God the Father Almighty that because Jesus stayed the course, went to the cross and shed His precious blood there for you and for me, we now have God’s promise of eternal life with Him when we claim Jesus as our Saviour. Excellent! Praise be to Him.

Wrapping up then, if I were to go over this list every day and check my heart, mind and soul for GI – GOOD IN, it would follow that this old sinner could be vastly improved by it, and pretty soon it might even give me GO—GOOD OUT as well. Worth a try, I think.

Let us pray:

Dear Heavenly Father God,

Your ways are vastly above our ways, Your thoughts above our thoughts. Please help us to be a little more like You, like Jesus, every day. Remind us to fill our minds and our hearts with all the goodness, all the nobility, the majesty, the righteousness and the loveliness that You are. Thank You, LORD, for being our God. In Your Name, Jesus Messiah, we pray. Amen.

If anyone reading this devotional has not yet received Jesus as their Saviour, but God has touched your heart by His Holy Word, please email me (amadea649@gmail.com) or find a Bible-believing local church and ask the Pastor what you must do to be saved in Grace. In the meantime, please consider the ABCs of Salvation:

A – Admit

Admit what you have done wrong and ask forgiveness.

Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death.”

1 John 1:9 ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

B – Believe

Believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again as payment for your sins.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

C – Confess and Choose

Confess and choose to allow God to be in charge of your life.

Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

This article, based on God’s Holy Word, was written by the inspiration of God’s own Holy Spirit. All glory to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessings,

Lynda Janzen

I’ve come simply to tell you what I’ve seen and heard, what I know to be true.

Surely Jesus Christ is Lord, He is the Son of God, and He is the King over all.

Some time back, we walked with Him and heard Him speak. He told of His coming Kingdom when He would rule over all the earth. We heard Him, but I’m not sure we really believed Him, at least not at that time.

One night, we were all in the garden of Gethsemane, and He went off to pray; I went with Him, but I kept falling asleep. He continued to pray, and I continued to fall asleep. As I look back on that time, I feel so ashamed. Why couldn’t I just have stayed awake for a few hours to pray with Him!?

Finally, He woke me and said, ‘It’s time.’ I said, ‘Time for what… what do you mean?’

Suddenly, I saw Judas with some soldiers; he pointed and said, ‘He’s the one you want!’ The soldiers grabbed me, and I cried out, ‘Jesus! Help; save me!’ Jesus said, ‘Let him go… I’m the One you want.’

They took Jesus and led Him back to the Chief Priests; He held my hand as we walked. I was so afraid!

They accused me, but He stood in front of me; they tried to strike me, but He stood in front of me and took each blow on His own cheeks. They tried to spit on me, but He moved in front to take each one on Himself. I cried out, ‘I’m the one you want! I’m the guilty one!’ But it was as if they couldn’t even hear me.

Pilate asked Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ He simply answered, ‘It is as you say.’ The people all cried out as one, ‘Crucify Him; crucify Him!’ Pilate asked, ‘What has He done? I will release to you the man of your choice; whom shall I set free?’ The people all cried out, ‘Release Tom! Set him free, but crucify Jesus in his place!’

They threw me out of the palace and into the crowd; they patted my back and said, ‘You’re the one to be set free; you’re like us, you’re one of us!’

‘Jesus,’ I cried! ‘No! I’m the one they want, not You! I’m the sinner!’ I lay there weeping in shame…. ‘I’m the one you want! I’m so guilty… I’m so lost… Oh Jesus, Jesus, save me…’

I ran to Him as they led Him out to the yard; they wove together a crown of horrible, wicked-looking thorns; they tried to put it on my head, but He moved me aside as they shoved it down into the flesh of His head.

They began to beat Him and beat Him! Every blow was meant for me, and He stood in front of me so that every blow rained down on Him! They whipped Him over and over and over again; they tore open His back as they ripped it to shreds… over and over and over; they flayed Him to the point that I couldn’t even recognize Him; He was so covered in blood, every inch of His flesh torn open. ‘Oh Jesus, Jesus, why would you do this for me! I am so guilty! I’m the one who is such a wicked sinner! It should have been me!’

They led us up the hill to the place called Golgotha; I tried to carry our cross, but it was so heavy. They grabbed a man called Simon, who carried that cross all the way up to the place of the skull where there were 2 other crosses also ready to be set into the holes they had dug.

They beat Him more, and they gambled for His cloak; they mocked him and beat Him even more.

They grabbed me and began to nail me to one of the crosses; they began to pound spikes down through my hands, but He laid down and put His own hands and feet in the place to be spiked, and they nailed Him to the cross instead. He said, ‘Tom, you’re being crucified with me, but I am here to take all your punishment on Myself; I am here to die in your place.’

They raised the crosses up and dropped them into the holes with horrible thuds! It so ripped with pain in His hands and feet. There were also two guilty sinners on the other two crosses. One of them mocked us, hanging there naked, but the other one said, ‘Lord, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Believe Me when I tell you that this very day, you will be with Me in Paradise.’ I cried out, ‘Lord, what about me… can’t I come with you to Paradise today?’

I fell down off the cross; I laid there weeping as His blood dripped down and covered me. One of the guards took a spear and thrust it into His side; water and blood flowed out; it rained down upon me and washed me; for the first time ever, I felt clean. I no longer felt dirty, filthy, a wicked sinner; I was clean, forgiven; I felt like a new person… I can’t explain it better than that; I was free!

It became dark; there was a great earthquake.

They took His body down and gently, reverently prepared It for burial, placing us in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea; the soldiers rolled a great stone across the opening. I was so afraid in the darkness, but on the third day, there was a great light. The stone was rolled away, and I came out as if back from the dead. I had been crucified with Him; I died with Him, and I was raised to newness of life with Him. He gave me His life, Eternal Life; I will live forever.

I begged to go with Him to Heaven, but He said,

‘No, Tom; your time is not yet. Go, tell what you’ve seen, heard and experienced. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel; teach them and make disciples, and I will be with you until the end of the Age!

I will come again and receive you unto Myself. I am going back to My Father’s House to prepare a place for you, but I will come again and receive you unto Myself that where I am, there you may be also to be with Me forever.

Take heed, take heart; I am the One Who is at work within you to will and to work for My good pleasure. I am the One Who has begun My good work in you, and I will continue to form you into My Image more and more each day so that you better and better reflect Me in all that you do.

In the world, you will have tribulation, but I have overcome the world, and you will walk in victory, in Me.

Watch for Me and wait for Me every moment of every day; and one day soon, you will hear My call and the sound of My trumpet, and I will raise you up and change your body into a glorious eternal body just like My Own.

I am, even now, preparing you for the ministry you are to enter as soon as I return with you accompanying Me on a great white horse. I will take My rightful place as King of kings and Lord of lords. My Kingdom shall last and enlarge forever as you rule and reign with Me – first, for a thousand years and then forever.

Be strong and of good courage; do not tremble or be dismayed, for I am the Lord your God, and I will be with you wherever you go.’

I am telling you this because it is true. I was there; I saw it and heard it. He gave me Eternal Life, and He offers it to you, even now. Take it; receive His free gift of Eternal Life. Believe on Him, that His finished work on the Cross was sufficient to pay the penalty for all your sin. He will forgive you and cleanse you of every sin. Believe Him and receive Him now before it’s too late for you.

Tom Tillman

heartsoflove.org