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...

              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...

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...