Verse of the Day 7/19

Through the Bible – Psalm 30-32, Acts 23:1-11

 

Good morning,

A commentary that I've been reading as I've read through the book of Acts said this of Paul in Acts 22.  "It was perhaps part of the secret to his success as a missionary that Paul was able to move effortlessly between the three aspects of his identity – Jewish, Gentile, and Roman.  In the next few scenes (in Acts 22) he will need to deploy all of those – and remain true to his underlying calling as a disciple of Jesus Christ."

For today's verse we'll go to Philippians chapter 4.  When your read the verse on its own you may think that it was Jesus speaking, but the words come from the Apostle Paul.  Think of the previous statement and how they relate to the following verse.

Phil 4:9 Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.  NLT

or from the Amplified Bible:

Philippians 4:9 (Amplified Bible) Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.

 

 Perhaps today moreso than ever, Christians are being encouraged to go out into the world, out of their holy huddles and witness in our homes, neighborhoods and workplaces.  Paul was able to fit in and relate to people from many walks of life.  The key to it, was to remain true to "his underlying calling" and not become of the world.

It's something that we should be mindful of  in spreading the gospel, the good news.  Would we be able to say to a small group or Bible study member, a co-worker, or a neighbor or your child "put into practice all you've learned from me" that the peace of God may be with them?

The only way it is possible is to follow Christ and to follow Paul's advice from the previous verse and put these things into practice as we live our lives for Him.

Phil 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.   NKJV

Blessings,

Mike

 

Phil 4:1-9

Paul's Final Thoughts

 

2 And now I want to plead with those two women, Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.

 

3 And I ask you, my true teammate, to help these women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. And they worked with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.

 

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice!

 

5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

 

6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

 

7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

 

9 Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

NLT