Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 28

Last lesson for Philippians.

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Thanks for studying with me God's word. I have learned a lot and I love being challenged to live in a way that glorifies God in all I do.

I am going to try and study Daniel again with out making comments here on the blog. Feel free to join me as we dive into another book and dig deeper.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 27

Almost done...still finishing up this lesson.

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I have really enjoyed this study in the book of Philippians and love soaking up the truth of God's word. Such a great reminder that God will supply our needs. I will rejoice in the Lord in every circumstance. Only through the strength that Christ supplies. Living according to the Word of God and to the standards of the world.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 26

Looks like this study is coming to an end. I know that Daniel is next. Not sure if I am going to do Daniel or not. I have already studied Daniel (and loved it), plus I am still trying to catch up on older lessons. I have one more Isaiah lesson and I will have finished that study which has taken close to 9 months to complete. I also want to squeeze in the study about God's glory.

Needless to say, I still haven't done this lesson yet.

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Such a needed reminder to learn to be content in every and all circumstances. There is not anything that we can not bear. God is faithful. He will give the grace and the strength to get through every situation, every circumstance. Contentment in circumstances.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 25

Any thoughts?

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Keep your mind focused on these things...

• is it true
• is it honorable
• it is right
• is it pure
• is it lovely
• is it of good repute (good reputation)
  
• is it excellent
• is it worthy of praise

This is the check list. I need to check these thoughts that come with this list. Making sure that no wrong thought takes place in my life.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 24

I was so close to being caught up and I have slipped behind again...I will post my thoughts when I can.

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Such a wonderful reminder to lay it all at Christ's feet and leave it there. I need the reminder to not worry about anything. I have finally finished my Isaiah study and just today finished the "God's Glory" study. I am so thankful that I was able to squeeze it in. I am going to finish this study in Philippians up and try and get to the Daniel one.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 23

Busy week...trying to finish up school...haven't done the lesson yet...any thoughts...

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If you stop and think about the idea that everything in the world is designed to distract us from keeping our focus on God. It gives all the more importance to stand firm. Firmly planted. Not shaken. Not easily distracted. Not loosing our focus.

I also noted that living in harmony, in unity, is really living according to God's Word. And I can only live this way if I know His word.

We are to encourage each other to stand firm. Making choices that glorify God. Choosing to please Him more than anything. Encouraging each other to spend time in God's Word. Steadfast. Immovable. Always abounding in the work of the Lord. Knowing that your toil is not in vain.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 22

Ahhhh...I am behind again. Feel free to leave comments here.

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The contrast was interesting (and not sure I would have noticed it on my own) in the end of chapter 3. The different ways people walk.

enemies of the cross
whose end is destruction
whose god is their appetite
whose glory is their shame
who set their minds on earthy things


contrasted with:

citizenship in heaven
we eagerly wait for a savior
transform the body from humble state into the conformity of the body of His glory


Finding comfort in the truth that my citizenship is in heaven.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 21

I am trying so hard to finish up the Isaiah study before those lessons are not available online anymore. So that might be my focus this week. Here is a place for comments on Phil. study lesson 21.

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After hearing about Kay's day of rest where she spends time soaking in God and His word...I was convicted. It seems like life is so busy and flying by and I long to have a simplified life that has room in it for quiet life.

I have felt the need to catch up on Precepts lessons and it sounds like I am trying to just check it off my list of things to do. But I love these studies. I love learning more. I love studying the Word and living my life differently because of it. I love how God's Word is alive and that the Holy Spirit is leading me as my teacher.

I wonder if my life is one that is being followed as I follow Christ. I am so grateful for the TRUTH of God's Word. As I have mentioned, I am still trying to catch up on the Isaiah study that I started last year. It has been fantastic and it will be great to know that I have studied such a great (and huge) book of the Bible.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 20

I am trying to catch up on being behind. I am also trying to finish the lessons on Isaiah at the same time.

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What is that one thing that you long for above all else??? Passion. Passion for God and His word. Passion for living for Him. Passion for pressing on. Passion for living in the power of His resurrection. (I think that word for power is dunamas - not sure, need to check it out).

What about letting the things of our past that hold us back from pressing on. Our relationships, our failures, our mistakes. Not that we are perfect or have obtained everything. But...press on !! Not looking at those things that distract us.

Now I kind of want to watch Chariots of Fire. =) LOVED this lesson. Loved these challenges. Putting my eyes on Christ Jesus.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 19

Any thoughts yet on this lesson. I will add mine when I get to it.

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Things can rob us of our JOY. Kay asks what THINGS are important in our life today? Car, home, collection, education, status in community? Can't have your mind on both, your things and Christ.
Do you have a passion for Christ like Paul describes?

Personally for me, my things are too much stuff, TV (which is slowly getting cut out of our life), even school for the kids. Trying to get all the school work done and not focusing enough on what really matters...teaching my kids God's Word.

(my audio cut out about halfway through this lesson so I wasn't able to hear the whole thing)

Still loving the challenges.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 18

Haven't gotten to this yet, sorry I am behind again. Any thoughts on this lesson?

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What a convicting thought, that everything we are doing will either have a negative or a positive effect in eternity.

We are to glory in Christ Jesus. Putting no confidence in the flesh. That should be our passion. Christ alone.

Didn't you love her list of reasons that people boast? Baptist of the baptist. A 5 point Calvinist. A Presbyterian of Presbyterians. Taking pride in denominations and achievements. Evaluating on what we do and don't do. PRIDE. Such zeal in prideful things. Following that zeal and not passionate about Christ. Those THINGS have nothing to do with Christ. Let Christ be your passion.

JOY - despite imprisonment (chapter 1)

JOY - despite people (chapter 2)

JOY - despite things (chapter 3)

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 17

Trying to catch up...feel free to leave comments here for this lesson.

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Starting off with the word worship - latreuo - serving God, not just sitting and looking up at the heavens and singing. An active service. We are to worship God in the power of the Spirit, rather than the competence of knowledge.

Love that verse about removing your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. True salvation is a circumcision of the heart. A true change. A new heart.

This lesson really focuses on the contrast of false circumcision vs. true circumcisions. Those contrasts really teach so much.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 16

Again...haven't done the lesson yet, but you are welcome to leave comments. I will edit this after I do my lesson this week.

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Interesting that the evil workers are ones that are connected to Christianity, infiltrated into the church.

We see the contrast of the true workers with Paul: as a fellow worker, fellow soldier, suffering hardships with Paul.

Compared to one who is lover of self, lover of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malice gossip, without self control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding a form of godliness, although they have denied its power. 2Timothy 3.


Beware of the false circumcision. Kataome - false mutilation compared to Peritome- circumcision. Looks like there is more to come on this lesson.

Lots to be aware of. And a beautiful challenging passage of what to watch out for.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 15

Haven't done the lesson yet, but in case there are comments out there for this one. Here is a space for them.

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OK, back here after a distracting weekend to study God's Word. I hate the feeling of getting behind so it is always good to be back at it.

Beware, beware, beware. Actually keep on being aware.

Dogs, evil workers, false circumcision. Enemies of the cross of Christ.

Dogs - not cute little pets, but scavengers, greedy, going after unjust gain.

Good reminder to beware.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 14

Now in chapter 3 of Philippians, Paul is giving us a contrast of true and false. Urging them to beware of the dogs, of the evil workers, of the false circumcision.

Instead the true circumcision, who

1. worship in the Spirit of God and
2. glory in Christ Jesus and
3. put no confidence in the flesh.

Beware...beware...beware...on the alert.

I appreciate how there is the challenge to know the truth and fill our lives with it. Knowing the whole council of God we are not easily led astray.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 13

This lesson helps with historical background on Timothy from Acts chapter 16. Learning that Timothy's father was a Greek and that Paul takes him on the second missionary journey. Also learning that Timothy was circumcised before joining the journey. It is such a great example of self sacrifice and giving up for God alone.

Again reinforcing the main truth of Jesus Others You (JOY). Not looking out for your personal interests but also for the interests of others.

It is also neat to see the passion that people have for God and His word. And it was neat to hear the testimony of this guest with Kay.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 12

Learning to live in harmony with a love that abounds more and more. Allowing God to work in us and guide us to respond in love and peace and unity. Without grumbling and murmuring and complaining. Striving to live a blameless life (not perfect - but blameless).

Our happiness and contentment does not rest in our circumstances. We are not to let our circumstances shape us but to allow God to work in us. From Christ comes what we need. We can handle any situation in Christ.

What a great verse in 1 Peter 2:21-23 ...since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps...He did not revile in return...

Striving to live like Christ.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 11

Keep on working out (to carry out to completion) your salvation. This is such an important key to living for in the mind of Christ. Love that reminder that we have the mind of Christ, but we don't always use it.

Great challenge just to keep our mouth shut when we feel irritated or frustrated. Allow the Spirit of God to work in ME to will and to work for God's good pleasure. I think I need this encouragement today. Thankful that God gives me the ability and the strength to respond in God's love.

I love that word picture of the hose and allowing God to flow rather than living with a kink where the water trickles out.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 10

Finding JOY comes from Jesus. Yet our attitude and our mind make a huge difference when it comes to living out

Being of the same mind. The same attitude. We get a description of humility of mind...regarding others as more important then yourself. Not only looking out for my interests, but also for the interests of others. Not an unhealthy relationship that is sucking the life out of someone.

This Kenosis Passage (emptying passage) really shows what a beautiful perfect example Christ was for us to follow. Such humility. Humility of mind. Becoming obedient to the point of death. Even death on the cross. Striving for the Christlike attitude.

Philippians - Count it All Joy - lesson 9

A desire to conduct ourselves worthy of the gospel. Worthy meaning same weight.

This passage really emphasis unity. Striving together for the faith of the gospel. Unity of the spirit. Being of the same mind. Maintaining the same love. United in spirit. Intent on one purpose.

This is what we have in Christ - encouragement, love, fellowship, affection and compassion.

Encouragement to have a humble attitude in ourselves that Christ modeled. Pure humility. Obedient to God. Others before Himself. A beautiful model for us to follow.