Verse of the Day 10/12

Verse of the Day 10/12

Philippians 4:8-9 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 and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.   English Standard Version (ESV)

The other day part the reading in Old Testament reading in my read through the Bible plan brought me to Proverbs 27:1-2 which reads:

Proverbs 27:1-2The Message (MSG)  Don't brashly announce what you're going to do tomorrow;

    you don't know the first thing about tomorrow.

² Don't call attention to yourself;
    let others do that for you.

The New Testament reading was from Philippians for where today's verses come from.  The two passages from Proverbs and Philppians show a contrast.  How many people today, how many of us "brashly" announce what we've got planned for tomorrow or next week, where we'll be going what we'll be doing as a means of drawing attention to ourselves?  It is easy to fall into that because it is so common, so second nature in our society.

The verses from Philippians challenge us to focus on the true, honorable, pure and just and worthy of praise (to God and not of ourselves).  The thing is, that if we do so it will be noticed, but in a good way to the praise and glory of God, if it is His will that is leading us.

I included verse 9 in the post because it leads to the question, would we be able to say like Paul "what you have learned and heard and seen in me, practice these things?  Boasting, anger, jealousy would have to be banished from our lives.  But if we are willing to do so, we have the opportunity to have the peace of God with us in whatever we do.

What will be our focus, what will be the motives in our speech and actions?   May it be "true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst"  (The Message).

--   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 4:4-9The Message (MSG)

^4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

^6-7 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

^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.