Verse of the Day 10/20

Through the Bible - Jeremiah 6-7, 1 Timothy 3

 

Good morning,

Yesterday we considered what political commercials would look like, what our lives would look like if our aim was to lovingly express truth, speak truly, deal truly, and live truly.

In my devotions this morning I read the following verse from Philippians chapter 4, it will serve as our verse for today.

Philippians 4:8 (Amplified Bible)  For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
 

The passage is another favorite of mine because of Jeff, someone who exemplifies having the peace that passes understanding (v.7). 

In the political scene and in many of our lives, anxiety has a way of robbing us of peace, taking our minds away from what is pure, true, honorable, of virtue, and worthy of praise.

 

Bible commentator Marcus Maxwell writes that this "peace is much more than inner calm.  For Paul, writing as a Jew, it carries the overtones of the Hebrew word shalom, which means not only tranquility and the absence of conflict, but also healing, wholeness and well-being.  The peace that God brings is a whole person peace, a part of the re-making of human nature, indeed of all creation, which is the goal of salvation (Romans 8:19-23).  Those who trust God are freed from anxiety and begin to find a personal wholeness which is the first installment of God's new creation."

 

We are challenged not to get caught up in the stresses of the world around us but to dwell on the things mentioned in these verses.  But it is not enough to dwell on them, it involves more than thinking.  We are to practice what we've learned, received, heard and seen.  Let the "mind of Christ" govern your life, words, and works.

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.

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Philippians 4:1-9 (New King James Version)

Philippians 4

 ¹ Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

   
² I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
⁶ Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.    
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. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.