Philippians Ch. 3

The past is the past

Scripture: vs 5-11 (Paul outlines his pedigree to show that if anyone has a starting point to brag on themselves, then it is him. He goes on to say, that once he valued his lineage, traditions, religious practices, etc . but now he doesn't really care about it. He cares about the cause of Christ and wants to really know him. Greg Laurie said it best. Some want to know about him, but a true Christian wants to KNOW HIM. To Fellowship with HIM, to suffer for HIM, and the Christian knows that there will be a ressurrection and we will live in eternal glory with GOD (the prize) based on our faith in HE who has the power that enables HIM to bring everything under his control, and will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (vs 21).

Observation: I confess, I have been thru a phase in my journey where it seemed like I was just trying to know about HIM rather than really know HIM deeply. Have you been there? Are you there? What is the key to starting to really know HIM deeply and fellowshipping with HIM?

Assessment: I think the key is to take a step back from a hectic pace, take a deep breath, and pray that GOD shows me how he wants me to fellowship with HIM more, how he wants me to love HIM more, and how he wants me to share with others about the love that he has for humanity and what is purpose and plans are for them.

Prayer: I don't know all the answers to those topics, but my prayer is that he shows me the answers somehow, someway, somewhere. I was fortunate to share with one of my coworkers the other day in a brief, loving, gentle way the plan of salvation thru Christ. We were able to discuss the beginning of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament to the culmination of the cross and the ressurrection in the New Testament. GOD gave me an opportunity to share his plan of redeeming the world and I felt grateful for the chance. I hope that the seed was planted and it starts to take root. I see more and more that GOD works in those short quiet moments. I hope there are more of those to come. What a powerful prayer Paul had, Do I have it in me to pray like that?: "I want to know Christ and the power of his ressurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somewhow, to attain to the ressurrection from the dead." I like the know Christ part and the ressurrection of the dead, but what about the suffering and like him in his death? Something to think about.

What was that all about???

So I don't know what was going on Tuesday. Whatever was there, it's not there today, so maybe I was wrong and it wasn't something from God, just something from my own brain, which is a scary thought. So just ignore that post from Tuesday - it wasn't anything after all.

Some Sudsy Philippians 2

Okay, I'm going to try and focus on something else right now - some SOAP in Philippians chapter 2.

Scripture:1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others
Observation:How high and noble this is, and how far short I come from fulfilling it in my life. Unity, thinking of others BEFORE myself, and more importantly, thinking of others as BETTER than myself. Ouch.
Asessment: Uhh, I guess the above was really more of an assessment.
Prayer: Pray for God to change my heart so that I put others ahead of myself.

Scripture: (alot) 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Observation: This is a short summation of the nature and purpose of Christ. It clearly speaks of His divinity - those who say that Christ never claimed to be God are just wrong. He IS God, but He did not hold onto His Goodhood - He gave it up to become one of us, one of His creations, in obedience to the Father. And because of that, His name is exalted above everything else.

Assessment: My attitude should be the same as Christ. Make myself nothing, be a servant, humble myself to the Father. Which ties in to the earlier SOAP - think of others as better than yourself (Jesus put His creation ahead of His own divinity, and became one of us). Jesus' obedience glorified the Father. Our obedience glorifies Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, I want to glorify You. I pray you would give me the mind of Yourself - that I could humble myself to others, become a servant, and live my life in obedience to You.



More to come later!

Strange Prayer Request

I know I've asked you guys to pray for Colby before, but this is different. From the moment I woke up this morning, all I could think about was that I needed to be praying for him, for his salvation. It's been really weird - I haven't listened to the radio at all, nor my mp3 player at work. I've heard people say that sometimes God has "put something on their heart" - I don't know if this is it, but I am trying of late to be more open to listening to the Spirit, and I think this is from Him. Specifically, there has been a verse floating through my mind all day long - "Today is the acceptable day of salvation" - I'm not sure what's going on, but I have been remembering Colby constantly in my prayers today (ahh, just like Paul said, referring to the church in Philippi - this is Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer all rolled in to one!) and my mind isn't concentrating on anything else, not even work! This is something new for me - I don't know about you guys. Have you ever had something "put on your heart by God so much that your mind focuses on that to the neglect of everything else? I'd like other peeps views on intercessory prayer, but mostly, I want to get as many other "prayer warriors" involved as I can. I don't really think of myself as a warrior, in any form or fashion, but where Colby is concerned, especially his eternal destiny, then I will fight like a mighty Jedi warrior for that kid (but I want Mace Windu's purple light saber - it takes a real Jedi to use a purple one).

I don't know why God is doing this - or if this is truly from Him, but I feel it is. I hope my discernment hasn't let me down. If this isn't from God, then I ask Him for forgiveness, but I think it is. So I am feeling led to pray that today is the acceptable day of salvation for Colby. Over and Over again I have been praying that today - I don't know why. It's not something I would expect to happen - but for the fact that God has given people Damascus Road Xperiences before, so He can do it again.


Have any of you guys ever just gotten the need to pray for somebody, out of the blue? This is what it feels like, and I have been praying without ceasing pretty much all day. Maybe I'm just going crazy(er) - I don't know, but I honestly feel like getting down on my knees in supplication to the LORD for Colby, in front of everyone here at work. They would definitely think I am crazy, but I don't give a rat's behind about the opinion of Man right now. This is really weird - don't think I'm going Pentecostal on anybody (let's try speaking in tongues tonight, ha ha - well, it IS scriptural.....) but it's like the Holy Spirit isn't letting me think about anything else today, other than praying for Colby, that today is the acceptable day of salvation for him. So I ask you all to pray the same - we'll talk more tonight. Perhaps a little session about prayer, and what your prayer life is like, might be in order? Just thinking.....

And thanks for your prayers - I couldn't ask for any better Prayer Jedis than you guys!

May the Spirit be with you!

Update

Not sure how we will decide but I am ready to move on to Philippians chapter 2 whenever everyone else is. I can also wait a bit if anyone has anything else to add. Whatever - I'm cool either way.

Sondra's appointment went fine and she headed back for Louisiana. She has a chance at a better job in July and we are really hoping that works out for her. She and John Michael (her little boy) could really use a break. Thanks for all your prayers!

Here's my SOAPy Philippians 1

Scripture: whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.

Observation: it strikes me that in order to make disciples for Jesus Christ that our main focus whether it be in what we say or how we live should be just that - defending or confirming the gospel.

Assessment - I think that study of the Word is the most important tool for that and that's why I wanted to be more intentional about studying.
Prayer - I pray that God will show me how to discern HIs will in my life to bring HIm glory, through studying His Word, seeking Godly council, and prayer.

Scripture: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Observation - I think there is something important here, in that Paul connects the growth of love with knowledge and depth of insight and the ability to discern what is best. It seems to me that he is saying that there is a natural progression here - as you gain knowledge and deeper perception you grow in love and as you grow in love, you gain discernment and as you gain discernment the natural outcome is fruit in your life.

Assessment - I am a believer and I know I will one day go home to be with Jesus, but if fruit is the yardstick that I am to use to measure my growth as a Christian then I need to work harder at learning more and not just once a week but everyday.

Prayer - I pray that God will keep me faithful to not just studying but being immersed in the Word and not just learning but doing so that here will be fruit and so that whatever my circumstances, others will see the gospel lived out in a way that it is confirmed or defended in my life.

Scripture: 15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.[c] 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Observation: I am in awe of Paul's ability to feel this way. Maybe the lesson isn't about how and why others preach but in Paul's attitude about it. His attitude focuses Jesus and he doesn't let others' behavior divert his attention from that focus.

Assessment: I think that if I can have a tenth of that intense focus, then my life will be so much more than it is right now.

Prayer - I want to be so in love with Jesus Christ that I can't see the things that turn my attention away from the things of God. I want to study so that the words are in my heart and become a habit that I don't have to think about, and so that praise becomes like breathing. I pray that the Lord will walk me through it and teach me to live more joyfully and less whiny!

SOAP Breakdown of Phillipians Ch. 1 (are we supposed to do it this way?)

Scripture (that speaks to me):
vs 2: Grace and peace to you
Observation: Can't have peace without Grace
Assessment: In order to have more peace with situations, we need to extend more Grace
Prayer: I need to pray that I show more Grace in all situations

vs 1-6: Paul thanking GOD everytime he remembers the special people at Phillipi. GOD started a good work within the believers and is going to see it thru until Christ's return.
Observation: We need to take time to remember and thank GOD for those special believers that have played a role in our journey
Assessment: I do not take the time that I should during my prayers to think of those people
Prayer: I will plan on taking time to remember those people.

vs 9-11: love will be evident by your knowledge and insight as well as your discernment.
Observation: Those that seem to have good discernment about things tend to be more loving. That is at least my observation.
Assessment: I think if we as believers will study GOD's word more then we become more knowledgeable in GOD's ways and realize how much he loves us. Then we will be able to "tap into" spiritual discernment more and start to be able to "spread the love" more.
Prayer: We need to pray for more love, more fire to study his word, and more discernment.

vs 12-14: Paul was in prison for preaching the Gospel. The byproduct was people were becoming more bold in sharing their faith as well because of his example.
Observation: I have yet or do not know anyone that has had this type of persecution.
Assessment: Isn't it a blessing that this type of persecution does not happen to us here like it did in the early church.
Prayer: We should pray for the persecuted church world wide. It still is going on. We should pray that we Americans realize that our world is not the only world.

vs 15-18: Some people preach the Gospel to satisfy their ego. Paul basically says, that is unfortunate, but at least Christ is being proclaimed.
Observation: I have witnessed people speak in the pulpit that seem to pad their ego.
Assessment: It is a shame that some people view speaking for GOD more about speaking about themselves.
Prayer: As Paul says, either way, Christ is preached. But I wondered if he thought that those doing it out of envy, rivalry, or selfish ambition were stumbling blocks to people coming to know Christ.

vs 20: Paul hopes for courage within context of his situation that no matter what happens, he will exalt Christ in life or death.
Observation: Again, have you ever been presented with a situation that calls for life or death courage that could or could not exalt Christ?
Assessment: I do not know if I have the courage.
Prayer: My prayer is that if that ever happened, that I would have the courage to stand up for Christ.

vs 21-22: Paul says when I die, I will see Christ, if I live, I will bear fruit for Christ.
Observation: A good way to live your life.
Assessment: As a believer, I am sure that when I die, I am Glory bound. But I need to bear more fruit.
Prayer: My prayer is that GOD will direct me to ways in which I can bear fruit for him.

vs 28: he encourages the people to stand firm and to not be frightened of those that oppose the message.
Observation: Again. I have not been in that situation.
Assessment: Thank GOD, for the USA
Prayer: Can't say it enough, we need to pray for those Christians being persecuted worldwide.

vs 29: there will be suffering for the advancement of the Gospel
Observation: Do I need to say anymore
Assessment: Really? I haven't suffered like the early church.
Prayer: Thank GOD there are people laying it on the line for Christ.

Philippians Chapter 1 Study

BJ and I are trying an experiment. Using the SOAP method mentioned in the previous post we are going to study the book of Philippians starting with chapter 1 for this post. We will read on our own and then post discussion in the comments. Whenever it looks like we are ready we will post to start chapter 2.

Anyone who visits here is welcome to chime in at anytime. Here is a reminder of the method but you can always refer back to the post.

Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer

Soooo.here begins the online, slightly nerdy, anyone can join in, SOAPy bible study!



Philippians 1

Bible Study SOAP

This is actually from the Live To Worship blog but I thought it was such a great way to think when you are studying so I am sharing it here.

Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.

Scripture: I need to be reading and writing out Scripture as it speaks to me.
Observation: I need to study and observe the who, what, when, why and make a note of any questions I might have.
Application: I need to think about how I can apply these new truths to my everyday life.
Prayer: And I need to pray that God will help me do so.

I've never kept an actual bible study notebook except for the one I use for notes that I take when I'm listening to a sermon but I think this might be a good idea for me. (or since my handwriting is so bad anymore maybe I need to be typing it!)

Does anyone else actually keep a notebook or prayer journal? I'd be interested to know if you do, how you do, and if it has been beneficial to you?

Quote to Ponder

What is Conviction of Sin?

Answer: "It is that state of the mind and heart when the individual takes sides with God against himself."
-Paris Reidhead, Getting Evangelicals Saved