55-Days Devotional Journey - Day 23
June 23, 2025 (Monday)

Scripture:
"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."
Philippians 4:8–9 (ESV)

Reflection:
The apostle Paul's life was a wonderful balance of teaching and example. In these verses, he asks us to follow his example by encouraging us to practice the things that we have seen in him. What he practices, we see, are the things he has asked us to think about – his teaching on all that is true, honourable, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. A life that practices righteous biblical truth is not simply that the peace of God will be with us, but that the God of peace will be with us.

A most appropriate response to 55 years of God's grace to NYCBC is to take Paul's exhortation to heart. We have seen his example as it comes to us in scripture, and his example is obedience to all Christ has commanded (cf. Mt 28:20). Let us renew our commitment to think always about whatever is pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise – the things taught by Paul and commanded by our Saviour Jesus as found in God's word. Make the commitment real in practice, living out everything worthy of praise so that all will notice that the God of peace is with us.

Reflection Question:
In your life, can a connection be seen between the praiseworthy things taught in God's word and your practice of them? What can you do to know these things better, or put them into practice, or both?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for providing us with wonderful things to think about in your word. Help us to know them better by spending time in your word. Also, do not let us simply know without doing, but may your Spirit move to translate your precious truths into daily practice. Thank you that as this happens, you the God of peace with be with us. May you have all glory! In Jesus' name. Amen.

By Pastor Richard Choy