PrayingThyWill

Bible Passage:
“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.” — Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

Claiming God’s Promise:
I experience the God of peace more fully when I focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy—and when I actively live out what godly people have taught or shown me.

Truth to Remember:
This verse reminds me that as I fill my mind with what is good and live out His truth, I am cultivating the kind of growth that helps me experience the God of peace.

Devotional Reflection

I think back to a time when my backyard was overgrown with weeds. It was stressful to look at. Every time I glanced at it, the thought of tackling the mess drained me. But then, a shift in perspective came to me: instead of seeing the space as a burden, I could see it as an opportunity. The weeds were a result of whatever seeds landed in my yard and required no effort to grow, but what if I used that same space intentionally? I could plant flowers that would bring me joy or even grow food that could nourish me and others.

That simple decision—to replace weeds with desired plants—brought peace of mind. It showed me that peace and joy do not happen by accident; they require some effort on my part. The same is true spiritually. Experiencing the God of peace means choosing to think on things that align with His Word and putting into practice the examples set by those who walk in His ways.

Application: Walking in God’s Way

Maybe you are struggling to experience the God of peace the way He intends. This verse invites you to examine what your thoughts tend to dwell on —and what you practice. Do your thoughts and actions pass the litmus test of being true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy? It is not always easy—especially when we have grown accustomed to thought patterns that do not reflect God’s ways. Still, we can take small steps to release our old perceptions and slowly embrace God’s way of seeing things. As we let His Word guide us, our thoughts and actions become the kind that draw us closer to the God of peace.

If you long to experience God as the source of peace in your life, start by examining what you think about and practice. Do your thoughts and actions reflect the qualities this verse calls us to? If not, invite God to guide your thoughts and actions, allowing you to experience His presence.

Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, holy is Your name. Thank You for reminding us that to experience You as the God of peace, we must be mindful of our thoughts and actions. You have given us a guide in this verse to measure what we think and do. Help us trust Your Word and live in ways that truly reflect Your truth. We choose to believe Your promises and have confidence that Your Word will accomplish what it says. In Jesus’ name, Amen.