Christ Church Daily Devotion Nov 1 2023

The daily devotion for November 1st, 2023, focuses on Philippians chapter 4 verse 8. It reminds us to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. The devotion emphasizes the importance of self-care and loving God with our minds. It encourages us to not worry, pray, and experience God's peace. It also reminds us to keep our minds focused on positive things. The devotion concludes with a prayer to be in harmony with God. Welcome to Christ Church's daily devotion for November 1st, 2023. Today we will be reading from Philippians chapter 4 verse 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. This week we are focusing on paying attention to self-care so that we are better equipped to continue the mission of our Lord. Jesus instructed his disciples that the first commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the second is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Then Jesus added, this sums up all the law and the prophets. Sometimes we speak of our faith as a heart language and we leave out the parts about loving God with our minds and letting God work with the thinking and mental health parts of our minds. Paul doesn't forget this part in his letter to the new believers of Philippi. There is so much encouragement from Paul to the people in this chapter. Encouragement to not worry and to pray, to experience God's peace, to rejoice, to be strengthened through Christ, and to keep your mind set on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. Part of our self-care is paying attention to what we allow into our mind, what we think about. I think the way Eugene Peterson begins this verse in The Message, 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. Today's personal worship option, Eugene Peterson concludes verse 9 with, do that and God who makes everything work together will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Yes, Lord, fill and lead my mind to be in harmony with yours today. Amen.