Daily Reading Week 46
Sunday
Philippians 4 (Scripture Focus Verse 8)
Discover:
In Philippians 4:4–9, Paul uses the ancient style of paraenesis—practical moral advice—to urge us to rejoice always, pray with thanksgiving, and pursue God's peace. He then calls us to focus our minds on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or praiseworthy.
These virtues aren't limited to the Bible which is fully excellent and error-free. Paul is inviting us to celebrate the good we find in the wider world: truth and beauty in art, literature, science, politics, music, technology, and more—even from non-Christian sources.
Why? Because every person is made in God's image. Though sin mars that image, it doesn't erase it. Unbelievers may suppress truth, but they still reflect glimmers of God's goodness and create real beauty.
That said, not everything "feels" true or good just because we like it. Our standard is the gospel and Christ's renewing work. Paul points to his own life as a reflection of Jesus —that's our benchmark for what to embrace.
We don't need to retreat into a Christian bubble to follow Jesus. Live distinctly, but stay engaged: enjoy and learn from truth and beauty wherever you find it. If it's genuinely good, it's from God—no matter the source.
Respond:
1. Which of the six filters (true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable) challenges you the most?
2. What negative thought patterns are hardest for you to break?
3. How can Scripture help you rewire your thinking?
Monday
Colossians 3 (Scripture Focus Verse 2)
Discover:
Most of Paul’s letters follow a clear rhythm: first, deep doctrine; then, daily living. Colossians is no exception. After chapters 1–2 hammer home that Jesus is fully God incarnate—not some lesser go-between—Paul turns in chapters 3–4 to the freedom and calling that flow from Christ’s finished work.
False teachers peddle “freedom” through rule-keeping, quietly shoving Jesus off the throne. The true gospel flips the script: God’s grace first liberates us from sin and death, then invites us to live like the free people we already are—by Christ’s blood alone.
In Jesus, the fullness of deity dwells. By His cross, we died to sin and dark powers, and because we’re united to Him, we’re not just forgiven—we’re raised with Him (3:1). Our bodies still wait for resurrection day (1 Cor. 15), but positionally, we’re already seated with Christ in the heavens (Eph. 2:6), sharing His victory over sin and evil.
That’s why Paul says: “Set your minds on things above”. He’s not telling us to ignore bills, kids, or work. “Above” means the age of Christ’s kingdom—already breaking in, fully coming when He returns. We belong to that future now. Thinking on it shapes how we live today.
The more we remember our inheritance—sin gone, glory full—the more we’ll fight sin now, tasting ahead of time the joy of the new heaven and earth. Freedom isn’t license; it’s power to live the future in the present.
Respond:
1. What “earthly things” tend to consume your thoughts and fuel anxiety?
2. How does setting your mind on “things above” shift your perspective?
3. What’s one practical way you can redirect your thinking toward Christ this week?
tuesday
John 8 (Scripture Focus Verse 44)
Discover:
First-century Jews proudly traced their lineage to Abraham—God’s chosen friend and channel of blessing. Many assumed bloodline alone made them his true heirs. But Scripture says otherwise: Abraham’s real children do what he did—trust God’s promises alone. True sonship is spiritual, not genetic. Faith in Jesus the Messiah makes you Abraham’s child; rejecting Him disqualifies you, Jew or Gentile.
In John 8, after Jesus calls Himself the light of the world, the Jews insist, “We are Abraham’s children… and God is our Father” (vv. 39, 41). They lean on Old Testament language—Israel as God’s “son” — but miss the point. Physical descent doesn’t guarantee spiritual sonship.
Jesus, the true Son by nature, sets the record straight (John 8:42–47):
• If God were your Father, you’d love me—because I came from Him.
• You reject me, so you reject God.
• Your actions reveal your real father: the devil, the liar from the start and murderer of souls (v. 44).
Satan sparked humanity’s fall and spiritual death. Everyone who rejects Christ’s truth walks in that same lie, proving whose child they really are.
R.C. Sproul said: “Sin is not just bad choices—it’s a heart bent on doing the enemy’s will.” True children of God love Jesus. Everyone else, by nature, belongs to the liar. Faith in Christ alone makes us Abraham’s heirs and God’s sons.
Respond:
1. What lies about yourself or your future do you find yourself believing?
2. How do those lies fuel your anxiety?
3. What truth from God’s Word can silence those lies?
Wednesday
2 Timothy 3 (Scripture Focus Verse 16)
Discover:
We speak by breathing out air that vibrates our vocal cords, shaped into words by our lips, tongue, and teeth. Paul uses this in 2 Timothy 3:16 to explain that Scripture is "God-breathed" (theopneustos in Greek)—the only thing the Apostles call this. It's literally God's speech, His very Word.
This means the Bible is divinely inspired: exactly what God wanted us to have as His revealed will. Yet it's also fully human—written through prophets and Apostles in their own styles. Romans is Paul's letter, with his unique voice, but still 100% God's Word. Using human authors doesn't make it any less divine.
The Reformers called this "verbal plenary inspiration":
• Verbal: Every word is inspired, not just ideas (Jesus even cited verb tenses!).
• Plenary: All of Scripture, including history and details, is God's Word.
We don't fully understand how God inspired the Bible, but we know that He did. It's trustworthy truth straight from Him. Want God's will? Look to Scripture—it's our only reliable guide.
Respond:
1. How can Scripture serve as a filter for your thought life?
2. What happens when you don’t let God’s Word shape your thinking?
3. What verse could you memorize to help rewire your mind this week?
THursday
Philippians 2 (Scripture Focus Verse 5)
Discover:
Jonathan Edwards called pride “the worst viper in the heart”—hidden deep, mixing with everything, and opening the door to Satan’s lies. It divides nations, corrupts leaders, sinks companies, silences the gospel, and breaks marriages.
Paul shows the antidote in Philippians 2:5–11: Jesus—equal with God—didn’t cling to glory. He emptied Himself, took a servant’s form, and died on a cross. So God exalted Him above all, that every knee will bow and every tongue confess: Jesus Christ is Lord.
That’s humility:
• Not first a rule to obey,
• But a response to the gospel—
• Bowing to Jesus,
• Dropping our claims,
• And following Him in service.
Pride says, “Look at me.” Humility says, “Look at Him.”
Where pride destroys, humility restores—love for God, love for neighbor, in every sphere of life.
Respond:
1. How can choosing Christ’s mindset protect you from negative thought patterns?
2. How might your relationships change if you approached them with Jesus’ attitude?
3. What’s one thought you can reframe this week by asking, “What would Jesus think here?”
Friday
Titus 1 (Scripture Focus Verse 15)
Discover:
Paul warns Titus about “commands of people who turn away from the truth” (Titus 1:14)—man-made rules masquerading as godliness. In Crete, false teachers pushed ritual purity as the heart of faith: banning marriage, forbidding foods, twisting Old Testament laws or Jewish myths.
Jesus changed everything. He declared all foods clean. Faith in Him and the Spirit’s renewal purifies the conscience, so “to the pure, all things are pure” (Titus 1:15). Nothing God made is off-limits if received with thanksgiving, sanctified by God’s Word and prayer.
The kingdom is not about eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Freedom in Christ means you may choose what to eat or which days to celebrate, yet you must never bind others’ consciences where God leaves them free.
Forcing rules on indifferent matters betrays a defiled heart, one that cannot see God’s kingdom.
We must also understand that misusing Christian liberty turns freedom into license or license into law. Some treat grace as permission to indulge sin, forgetting that true liberty frees us from sin to serve God and others. Others, fearing abuse, pile on extra rules, binding consciences where Scripture is silent. Both errors distort the gospel: one cheapens Christ’s blood, the other adds to it. Only a heart gripped by grace walks the narrow path—free, yet surrendered.
Respond:
1. How does what you consume (media, entertainment, conversations) impact your thoughts?
2. What does it mean for your thoughts to be pure?
3. What change could you make this week to think more purely?
Saturday
Matthew 12 (Scripture Focus 43–45)
Discover:
In today’s passage Jesus says something bigger than Jonah's preaching or Solomon's wisdom is here—Himself. Jonah was a prophet, Solomon a king; Jesus tops them both. He’s also greater than the temple, so He’s the ultimate prophet, priest, and king.
That greatness leaves no middle ground. See His power? You’re either all in or all out. He drives out demons, but the empty space must be filled with love for Him. Stay neutral, and the demon returns with seven worse friends. Taste Jesus’ goodness without faith, and you’ll end up worse than before.
Jesus isn’t mainly teaching about exorcism; He’s demanding total commitment. Experience the kingdom? Repent and obey. Discipleship must replace the evil—or it’s better never to have been freed.
Respond:
1. Why isn’t it enough to just “stop thinking negatively”?
2. What happens when we don’t replace old patterns with new ones?
3. How can you intentionally fill your mind with God’s truth this week?