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Philippians 4:9 - Live for Christ and Find Peace.

Philippians 4:9 (NIV) 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.

INTRODUCTION

It's not enough to hear or read the Word of God or even to know it well. We must also put what God is teaching us into practice. How easy it is to listen to a sermon and forget what the preacher said. How easy it is to read the Bible and not think about how to live differently. How easy it is to debate what a passage means and not live out that meaning. Exposure to God's Word is not enough. It must lead to obedience. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

Focusing
   An Amazing Fact: Each day you are bombarded with billions of bits of sensory input, most of which you ignore. If you tried to focus on every sound noise, light, picture, word, smell, and talk coming your way, you'd go crazy. You were created with a special filtering system in your brain called the Reticular Activating System (RAS), which allows you to focus on what is most important.
   Imagine yourself walking through a busy airport. There are hundreds of people walking past you, lots of noise from talking, announcements being made over loudspeakers, jet airplanes taking off, lights flashing, little shops advertising their goods, and small restaurants with the smell of food wafting about. How much of this do you notice? Probably not much, especially if you are focused on getting somewhere. Suddenly, over the PA system, your name is announced. Amidst all of that noise and confusion your brain picks up this one bit of information. How can it do this?
   Thanks to a bundle of nerves the size of your finger that runs from your upper spinal cord deep into your brain stem, God created you with an internal secretary that helps filter millions of bits of information coming at you at any given moment. The RAS helps you to be awake, to focus, and to set goals. When you decide you need to get to a certain destination, this part of your brain helps keep you on track. It is also tuned into "red flags" or "danger" input that catches your attention and protects you.
   The Lord has given us the ability to learn to focus on what is most important. We are not helpless victims of our environments. We can choose to think about the right things. Paul writes about this when he says, "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8).
   The devil has plenty of stimuli to send your way today. What will you focus on? [Moving Mountains by Amazing Facts]

COMMENTARY

   I love a good corned-beef sandwich. So whenever I'm in my hometown, I try to stop by my favorite spot to get the mile-high sandwich that the restaurant is famous for. The place is usually packed with folks, waiting patiently in line to place their orders.
   During a visit home, I walked into the restaurant and noticed an open Bible and some Christian books on a table near the entrance. I thought such a display said a lot about the restaurant's owners. One thing I had always liked about the place (besides the food) is that the employees cheerfully greeted customers, whether they were construction workers or people dressed in business suits. They also called them by their names or "honey" and "dear," thanked them, and wished each person a blessed day. It was good to see the character of Christ displayed by the owners and their employees.
   In his letter to the church at Philippi, the Apostle Paul encourages the people to imitate Jesus's life and follow His teachings. In other words, practice what Jesus preached and have the same mindset as Christ (Philippians 2:5). That's my prayer every day - to be a little bit more like Jesus in the way I treat others and to be a walking, talking billboard for Him. I strive to not only be a hearer of the Word but also a doer. Just like my friends at my favorite sandwich shop. Barbranda Lumpkins Walls
   Faith Step: Identify, one character trait of Jesus and put it into practice today. Show others you know Him by the way you act. [Mornings With Jesus 2025 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Philippians 2:5 - Having the Mind of Jesus.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220312-0934.html

Philippians 4:8 - What Are You Feeding Your Mind?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240509-0838.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/