WEDNESDAY

Nov 9, 2022
2 min read

Thank You, Lord, for helping me carve out time for You today. I come with an open heart and open mind and ask You to fill it.

Philippians 4:8-9

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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Remember the lesson on rejoicing this week? It’s not done yet. While this passage seems to talk about something different, it’s part of the rejoicing process. Yesterday, I discovered that when I rejoice, I gain the peace which passes understanding in my heart, and that peace guards my heart and mind. This peace allows me to think differently.

Today, I discover from this passage that the things I think differently about are part of what fills my heart with joy:

I will think differently about what I accept as truth. I will look to the Word of God as my source of truth.

I will think differently about what I put on a pedestal—whatever is noble. I will accept Jesus as King of my life and of my heart.

I will think differently about whatever is right and choose the righteousness of God.

I will think differently about whatever is pure and accept God’s holiness as the standard for purity.

I will think differently about whatever is lovely and understand that God looks at the beauty which stems from the heart.

I will think differently about whatever is admirable and admire the people who follow God’s will, not the ways of this world.

Finally, I will think differently in general about all things that are excellent and praiseworthy—Those things, from God and of God, will be on my heart and mind.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: The final piece to the rejoicing process in this passage is simple but hard: PRACTICE. Yesterday, we learned we need to Rejoice ALWAYS to fulfill this prescription. Today, we learn we need to do this again. And again. And again. For how long? Until we are always rejoicing! Meditate on the things of God listed in the passage today.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman