Philippians 4:8 studies, day five – “Lovely”

It’s the fifth day of 2026, and the fifth day of devouring the loveliness of Philippians 4:8

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Today’s word is “lovely,” which translates also to “acceptable, pleasing.” My ESV Study Bible’s notes on today’s verse say that although Christians are completely justified from the moment of initial salvation, we do things that either please or displease God each day. Nothing can take away the saving work of Christ in our lives… but our actions do still matter. Making choices that please the Lord will draw us (and others) closer to Him, while making choices that displease Him push us (and others) farther away.

And you can probably guess which of those options I’m aiming for in 2026. I love what Psalm 27 says:

“One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple” (verse 4).

I want to take every opportunity I can to gaze on the beauty of the Lord this year.

Happy January!