The First Few: Daily Devotions

Why does one frustrating moment sometimes outweigh a hundred good ones?

In today’s episode of The First Few, we’re continuing our study of Philippians 4:8 with Paul’s invitation to think about whatever is lovely.

The Greek word prosphilē describes something worthy of affection. And that raises an uncomfortable question about our relationships: Have we become so focused on what bothers us that we’ve stopped noticing what makes the people around us worth loving?

We’ll look at Paul’s affection for the Philippian church, even in the middle of its imperfections, and what Jesus can teach us about seeing people with love.

Scripture: Philippians 4:8; Philippians 1:8; Philippians 4:1

Can we become so focused on everything that’s wrong with us that we lose sight of Jesus?

In today’s episode of The First Few, we’re wrapping up our first week in Philippians 4:8 by exploring what Paul means when he tells us to dwell on whatever is pure.

Purity is about much more than avoiding certain behaviors. Jesus Himself is our standard, and Scripture calls us to keep growing in His likeness without becoming consumed by our failures.

We’ll also return to a driving lesson from earlier this week that helps us understand why where we direct our attention matters so much.

Scripture: Philippians 4:8; Philippians 3:12; 1 John 3:3

Have you ever been right about something but handled it in a way you later regretted?

In today’s episode of The First Few, we’re continuing through Philippians 4:8 and exploring what Paul means by “whatever is right.”

We’ll look at a disagreement in the Philippian church, Paul’s teaching about the mind of Christ, and the uncomfortable difference between being correct and acting righteously.

Because sometimes we’re so focused on what someone else did wrong that we forget what following Jesus requires of us.

Scripture: Philippians 4:8; Philippians 4:2–3; Philippians 2:3–8; Philippians 3:9

Just because something is true doesn’t mean it deserves a place in your thoughts.

In today’s episode of The First Few, we’re continuing through Philippians 4:8 and looking at a word that’s harder to understand than it first appears: honorable.

We’ll explore why Paul calls us to give our attention to what carries genuine worth, and why Jesus challenges the world’s understanding of what deserves respect.

Sometimes the question isn’t whether something is true. It’s whether it deserves so much of our minds.

Scripture: Philippians 4:8; Philippians 2:5–11

When I was 16, my dad taught me something about driving that I’ve never forgotten: the car tends to go where your eyes are looking. Turns out, our thoughts work a lot like that.

In Philippians 4:8, Paul challenges us to pay attention to what we’re allowing our minds to dwell on. Not because life’s difficulties aren’t real, but because what occupies our thoughts can quietly shape the direction of our lives.

Today we’re talking about the connection between what we focus on and where we’re headed, and what it looks like to intentionally turn our attention toward what is true.

Whatever Is True: The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Have you ever convinced yourself something terrible happened, only to discover the whole thing was a story your mind created?

I’ve been there. One night, when one of my kids was late getting home and wasn’t answering the phone, my imagination took me places I never wanted to go.

In today’s episode of The First Few, we’re continuing our journey through Philippians 4:8, beginning with Paul’s instruction to dwell on whatever is true.

We’ll talk about how easily fear can turn possibilities into assumed facts, why truthful thinking isn’t the same as positive thinking, and how we can learn to recognize the stories we’re allowing our minds to believe.

Sometimes the most important question we can ask ourselves is simply, “Is this actually true?”

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Thanks for spending the first few with me today!