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Daily Lenten Devotion |
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"Practice Makes Perfect"
March 31, 2009
Philippians 4:8-9 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
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Everyone probably remembers certain phrases or words of wisdom given to us to live by: "Birds of a feather flock together" or "One in the hand is worth two in the bush." We grasped some meanings easily; others puzzled us.
How about the saying, "What goes in must come out"? It's a little bit like what Jesus said in Luke 6:45: "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Fruit identifies the tree and actions reveal character. The content of our heart and mind determines our character.
Paul celebrated how the Philippians lived out their faith after the example of their Servant-King Jesus. He urged God-pleasing behavior to enhance their witness and joy. He prayed that active love would increase as Christian insight and discernment increased. But he knew that strong and vital as their faithful living was, it was still vulnerable. Misdirected thinking would sabotage their living, skewing their words and actions away from Christ's grace. Living based on anything else but Christ's righteousness would tarnish the meaning of what they said and did.
So, St. Paul concludes with a critical point: Remember! What goes in must come out. Put these things into your minds: true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy things! Put into action the good works that these good things inspire in your hearts. You can do them through Christ in you. Others are impacted by the good we do and the example we set in serving Jesus. By an honorable witness, others can be led to the truth of Christ.
Let this be the practice we seek to perfect.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, lead us with Your Spirit to discern and honor what is excellent and so bear the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Written by Chaplain Dave Morfitt
Perry Lutheran Home - Perry, Iowa
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