True, Honorable, and Right: Philippians 4:8-9

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)

Paul is writing the Philippians, advising how to handle disagreements, and explaining how to focus on things that are pleasing to God instead. He stressed the importance of deliberately focusing on positive things; true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable things. To meditate on these good things, not the bad things; to focus on things to praise rather than bemoan; to exhibit fruits of the Spirit. To embrace spiritual fruits; like love, kindness, patience, gentleness, and self-control. These spiritual fruits increase when we have strong faith and; our minds are focused on Christ; instead of on problems and difficulties. Practice kindness and love, have holy thoughts, and live holy lives; and the God of peace will be with you and guide you.

Do you allow disagreements and discord to rule your life, or do you fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your guidance, forgiveness, and grace. Teach us to respond to others as You do to us; with love, kindness, and gentleness. Encourage us to fix our minds on Christ; and focus on what is true, honorable, right, and admirable. Like the daisy flowers are open and reaching toward the sun, let us be open to positive actions, and reach toward You and receive peace. In Jesus’ holy loving name. Amen

I believe in the power of prayer. If you need prayer, I would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page.🌺

Love and Faithfulness: Proverbs 3:3-4

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV)

Solomon is sharing his thoughts on the value of obedience, love, and faithfulness. The (NIV) version of Proverbs 3:3 says, Let love and faithfulness never leave you; other versions say to let; loyalty and kindness, mercy and truth, loyalty and faithfulness, kindness and truth, never leave you. The underlining theme is love and trust wholeheartedly in the Lord always. Binding these loving actions around your neck (keep them close to you), and write them in your heart. A believer is to be continually loyal to God; faithful in following God’s ways. Also, believers need to show mercy and truth to others; always. Then you will find favor with God and gain the respect of people. We should still follow Solomon’s advice by embracing love and faithfulness and binding them to our hearts.

As Christians, we need to focus on letting love and faithfulness guide us in our daily lives. Where are love, faithfulness, and kindness missing in your life?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for your mercy and grace. Guide us in Your Word and truth. Help us to embrace love and faithfulness and to write them on our hearts. Teach us to treat each other with kindness, mercy, and love. Like the bright flowers of the butterfly weed seem to be reaching outward, let us glow brightly with Your truth and reach out to others with love and faithfulness. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

Need prayer? I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the  contact page. 🌺