The House You're Building

[12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. [16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Philippians 3:12–16  (ESV) Human reality is in constant flux.  No state in our present experience is ever permanent.  In the good times, this is a negative characteristic.  Contrastingly, in hard times it is often a benefit to realize that your current circumstances aren’t always going to stay the same.  This has led to a saying “this too shall pass.”   This truism does not come from Scripture, though the...

  Straining Toward the Goal [12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. [16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:12–16 ESV) As I reflect on the year, as many of us are prone to do at the changing of the calendar, I was thinking of what 2024 was about for me—the new things that entered in and the things it was time to let go of.  One of my favorite new things was hiking.  Though I’ve always hiked, a group of adventurous ladies who I’ve been doing life with for many years, focused on do...

              I’ll admit it, I am in a funk.  I’ve been stuck at home for the past few days unexpectedly.  Once you’ve caught up on laundry, binge watched Friends, and checked work email for the 10 th  time before 9 am what else is there to do? God was calling me to spend some time with Him.  I do my daily study time but lately it’s felt a bit clinical.  I’ve been checking it off the list and renewing my mind but my heart has not been fully involved.    Add to that I’ve been coping with stress a bit differently.  Eating less, sleeping more, isolating myself from my friends, avoiding making plans for vacations, almost scared of having anything tangible to hope in.  I’m basically living in a world of indifference, where I move from irritability to frustration to anger in a relentless cycle.  I guess trying to numb myself isn’t working very well.    So...

We live in a world of anxiety.   There always seems to be something we need; worries, doing without, or relationships that are out of sync cause worry and stress.   This week Paul closes his letter giving advice about how to restore relationships, how to find peace, and what to keep your mind on.   Key Verse: 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.   (Philippians 4:8-1 ESV)   Read chapter 4 of Philippians this week and consider the following:   Relationships v. 2-3 : What do you know about Euodia and Syntyche?   Who does Paul want to help them restore the relationship?   Journal prompt:   Have you ever been worried about two of your friends not getting along?   What did you do?   Does the situation change if the...

How would you answer if you were asked, “what is the most important thing in your life?”   Would you say your family, your job, your house?   Would you say Christ?   Would you be willing to let go of each of those things in the first list for Him?   Paul was the utmost Jew.   He came from a prominent family.   He followed all of the laws.   He had a zeal and righteousness for his religion that matched few individuals.   Yet, when called by God, he left everything for Him.   He counted his former life as a loss simply for the prize of knowing Christ.   Could you say the same?   Key Verses:   “But whatever things were gain to me those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.   More than that I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”   Philippi...

This week brings us to an uncomfortable place for many, our attitude.   It is so easy to see the faults in how others act and painful to look at ourselves.   Though it may smart a little, scripture is God’s loving way to show us who we really our and how He wants us to become more like Christ.   By studying the attitude of Jesus and other godly men known to the Philippian church, He can shave off our rough edges and gives us a heart that most reflects His.   Key Verse: Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3   Philippians chapter 2 Our attitude: 1.         What instructions to the Philippians are found in this chapter?   Who does Paul say to look to as their example?   2.       What is Christ’s attitude like?   What was the result of Jesus humbling Himself?   Journal Promp...

Lord Father.   I thank you for the women beginning this study of Philippians.   I pray that, through this letter of encouragement, their love for You will grow and that they will be confident that every suffering, every disappointment, every trial they encounter is nothing compared to the surpassing joy of what it means to know You.   I pray that they will also learn what it means to stand firm in their faith in You and the comfort they can have in knowing that You have called them to righteousness through Your son Jesus Christ.   Thank you, Lord, for these women. May You always be glorified by them.   Amen.     Read through Philippians chapter 1 every day.     ·          What do you learn about Paul’s circumstances in this passage?   How did he get there? What is his attitude?   How did he turn his situation into a positive?   What gave him strength?     ...

How is your contentment?   Can you find peace despite the circumstances around you?   Are you steady even when things around you are a mess?   Every Christian goes through seasons of life where joy seems elusive.   In this study we will learn about the apostle Paul and his special relationship with the church at Philippi, a church he had planted on his second missionary journey.     As in some of my past studies, I am partnering with my friend Callie to modifiy an inductive study by Precepts ministries for the group of women we meet with weekly.   To do this study you will need a bible and a way of taking notes.   That’s pretty much it!   Let’s get started!   1. Philippians: Overview Read through the book of Philippians and record your thoughts about the following questions: What are your first impressions? Who is writing?   What are your first impressions of him? Who is receiving the letter?   W...