Verse of the Day 12/13

Verse of the Day 12/13

Philippians 4:8   So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.    The Passion Translation (TPT)

Our men's Bible study covered this passage last week as we concluded our study in the book of Philippians.  The overarching theme of the book was that of joy and rejoicing, verse 4:4 states "rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice."  If we are to have joy and to be able to rejoice day in and day out, we will need to take the advice, the instruction of today's verse and keep our minds, our thoughts; our focus on these real, honorable , admirable and respectful thoughts and have them carried out into our actions.

What a contrast to what we see going on in the news every day, especially when we look at congress and what is going on.  Seldom is heard and encouraging word.  Respect, honor, and authenticity seem to be a thing of the past.  Everything is done with and agenda to gain the advantage over the other side.  Inquiries are made followed by tweets and statements containing virtually nothing that is admirable, beautiful, or respectful let alone "pure and holy, merciful and kind".  Unfortunately there is very little "thinking" going on.

I have the following quote from an unknown source in my eBible "Out of the thirty two words in that sentence, only one is an action verb, and it is the only verse and the sole imperative - "think".  (Philippians 4:8 ESV below)

Read through the short passage below, look for the verbs, the action words.  What do you see?  Rejoice, pray, think and practice these things.  As we head out into the day may this be our goal to focus on  "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," and think about these things, put the verse into practice towards others.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Philippians 4:4-9 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness^[a] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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. ⁹ What you have learned^[b] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.