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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.
The world gives us a great deal to think about. Every day it hands us news to worry over, problems to solve, and demands that crowd in on us from every side. Much of it isn't good. Much of it we could dwell on for hours, turning it over and over until it fills our minds and steals our peace.
Paul knew something about that. He wrote these words from prison, uncertain of his future. Yet he gives the church at Philippi, and us, a very different list to think about: whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. The word Paul uses for "think about" is logizesthe (loh-gee-ZES-theh). It's an accounting term. It means to reckon, to take inventory, to count something up.
That brings to mind the old hymn by Johnson Oatman Jr.: "Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God has done." Have you ever actually tried to do that? It's a daunting task. In fact, it's an impossible one. Our blessings are too many to count, and they're overwhelming in both their number and their effect on our lives.
But I don't think the hymn writer expected us to finish the count, and I don't think Paul did either. The point is where we aim our minds. When we turn our thoughts toward what God has done and toward the things that are true, noble, and lovely, something happens. We're carried beyond what the world wants from us. We move past its demands, its distractions, and all the clever devices it uses to keep our minds occupied.
So try it today. Start counting. Think about the blessings in your life, the things that are lovely and true and also abundant. Then put yourself in the world that God has created, not the artificial one the world keeps trying to press on you. Wander around in that garden for a while. Notice what you see there. Paul promises that if we do this, "the God of peace will be with you." When that peace comes over you, take a moment to thank God for it.
Our Father, when the world fills our minds with worry and distraction, turn our thoughts toward you. Help us to count our blessings, to dwell on what is true and lovely, and to rest in the peace that only you can give. Amen.
This devotional was written and read by Jim Stovall.
Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.
If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.
First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.
