#33 Aug 17, 2015
2015 Devotional. Our goal for these weekly devotionals is to grow in humility and to grow spiritually by memorizing selected passages, putting them into context, and by applying them to our daily living. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith. All passages are from the NIV.
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
In this last chapter of Philippians Paul addresses a lack of unity between two co-workers (See Dev. 30). The verse we are memorizing is part of Paul’s “Final Exhortations”(v.4-9) to “dear friends” and co-workers, whose names are in the book of life”. Paul’s final advice is for followers of Jesus and has a duel focus.
Verses 4-7 advises us to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus; He is close to us, we rejoice in His presence, we trust His direction, and we pray continually, He gives us peace, and He “guards your (our) hearts and your (our) minds”
Paul’s second piece of advice, verses 8-9, highlights our own responsibility in cultivating our relationship with Jesus Christ. The peace of Jesus is not given wholesale but with our own good choices: truth in our lives, honorable actions, choose what is right and pure, “whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”. We must concentrate on making good choices and we do so by following Paul’s and other followers of Jesus examples. God’s Word and our Praxis!
The above choices are not found in today’s culture, day in and day out we are bombarded by secular, selfish and often decadent examples. Staying close to Jesus, and cultivating a close relationship is the way to find and have peace in this chaotic world.
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Heavenhigh 