Verse of the Day 3/24

Verse of the Day 3/24/16

 

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.   English Standard Version (ESV)

Our men's Bible study this week was in John 19 where we have been studying the trial of Jesus and the procession go Calvary.  My Old Testament reading has been in Exodus leading up to the Passover.  The events of Holy Week have been on my mind and will continue to be as we head towards Good Friday and Easter

In our busy fast paced world we don't often find or take time to think about such things and when we have an extra day or an extended weekend we look forward to making plans to go somewhere and do something to recharge our batteries and return to work next week more tired than we were when we left.  All too often the thoughts of God, of Christ may not even enter the picture.

In the next few days we'll have opportunities to participate in Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Services.  We may have an extra day off and may have some additional "window time" as we are driving somewhere or perhaps returning from a business trip, as I am.  The first passage I read this morning was in Philipians 4.  In reading them, I was given a challenge and am giving you a challenge as we have some down time in the next few days to think about the things of God and whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable or praiseworthy and excellent.  The best place to start is in God's Word and to reflect on it in the power of the Spirit.

As you think on these things, "God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies' (The Message)  and Sunday's Easter celebration should have proper meaning and be a cause of celebration, because He lives.

I'll close with some of the words to an Easter Song, "In the First Light"'  that should give you some of the true, pure and honorable things to conider for the remainder of the week.

In the first light of a new day
No one knew he had arrived
Things continued as they had been
While a newborn softly cried
But the heavens wrapped in wonder
Knew the meaning of his birth
In the weakness of a baby
They knew God had come to Earth

As his mother held him closely
It was hard to understand
That her baby, not yet speaking
Was the Word of God to man
He would tell them of his kingdom
But their hearts would not believe
They would hate him and in anger
They would nail him to a tree

But the sadness will be broken
As the song of life arose
And the firstborn of creation
Would ascend and take his throne
He had left it to redeems us
But before his life began
He knew He'd come back not as a baby
But as the Lord of every man

Blessings,

Mike

Philippians 4:8-9The Message (MSG)

^8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

 

 

 

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