“‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts’” (Isa. 55:8-9 NLT).

Do not lean on your own understanding

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5 ESV)

Set your mind on things that are above

 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:1-2 ESV)

 The Spirit of God gives understanding

“For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:11-16 ESV)

“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18 NIV) 

Ask God…

“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matt. 7:8 NIV)

Ask according to His will

“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14 NIV)

“Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” (Jer. 29:12 NIV) 

So that the Father will receive glory in the Son

“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13 NIV)

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Heb. 13:16 ESV)

Open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor

“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ (Deut. 15:7-11 ESV)

When you give to the poor you are lending to God

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Prov. 19:17 ESV)

God loves a cheerful giver

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (1 John 9:7 ESV)

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything WORTHY OF PRAISE, dwell on these things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Worthy of praise (praiseworthy): Deserving approval and admiration; admirable, applaudable, commendable, creditable, estimable, laudable, meritorious.

The Lord is worthy to be praised

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Rev. 4:11 ESV)

“I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:3 ESV)

The Lamb is worthy to be praised 

“Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:12 ESV)

“And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Rev. 5:9 ESV)

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any EXCELLENCE and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB) 

Excellence: the fact or state of excelling; superiority; eminence; merit, supremacy, greatness, quality, perfection, virtue, preeminence, class, goodness, fineness, distinction, worth, excellency, transcendence.

An excellent spirit inside

“Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” (Dan. 6:3 ESV)

A model of good works

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.” (Titus 2:7 ESV)

Excel in everything

“But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.” (2 Cor. 8:7 ESV)

As for the Lord

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Col. 6:23 ESV)

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of GOOD REPUTE, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, on these things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Good repute: a good reputation, known to be honest, true and forthright; decent; dependable; highly regarded; of good standing; reliable; reputable; respectable; sound; trustworthy; upright.

Walking upright in integrity

“Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.” (Prov. 19:1 ESV)

The upright is guided by integrity

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” (Prov. 11:3 ESV)

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Lovely: Full of love; loving, inspiring love or affection. Having beauty that appeals to the emotions as well as to the eye. Amiable; pleasing.

How lovely are the feet of him who brings good news

“How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isa. 52:7 NASB)

Everything is beautiful in its time

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Eccles. 3:11a ESV)

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is PURE, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Pure: free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind; containing nothing that does not properly belong; free from moral fault or guilt; unmixed, unadulterated, undefiled, untarnished, immaculate, unpolluted, uncorrupted.

Purify yourself as He is pure

“And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3 ESV)

By your obedience to the truth

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.” (1 Peter 1:22 ESV)

Love that issues from a pure heart

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 

Therefore…

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Tim. 2:22 ESV)

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Right: Conforming with or conformable to justice, law, or morality; just; good; proper; upright; righteous. 

Blessed are they

“Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!” (Psalm 106:3 ESV)

Walk righteously and speak uprightly

“He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil, he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure. Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; will see a land that stretches afar.” (Isa. 33:15-17 ESV)