QT 6 Oct 2020, Phil 4:7, Leaders need God's Peace

 

QT 28 Apr 2020, Phil 4:8, Renewing our minds with good

Philippians 4:8 (ESV) — 8 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.

NOTE: This would eliminate a large portion of our tv viewing habits if we took this verse seriously.

True	Credible, aligning with reality, reliable, trustworthy
Honorable	Worth of respect, noble, august
Just	Morally good, fitting, observing divine laws
Pure	Innocent, sacred, unmixed from any other matter
Lovely	Acceptable, pleasing, delightful for beauty
Commendable	Worthy of praise, admirable, sounding well
Excellence	Virtue, goodness, praise
Worthy of praise	Describing the quality and action of praise and honor
=> Think about these things	Process of reasoning and calculation, logical result

There are things that fit within this definition that can enjoy our attention. Certainly knowing God is at the top of the list. But some music, books, shows, pieces of art, and landscapes also would fit these categories that Paul urges us to think about.

PRAYER: Father, help me to retrain my thinking to focus on the things that are truly good and renew my mind to be more like Jesus.

QT 27 Apr 2020, Phil 4:8 and others, Wholesome thinking

Philippians 4 (ESV) —

1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. …

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; …

8 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. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

…, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. …, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. …

NOTE: The word in verse 8 for 'think about' is the Greek word, logizomai:

In classical usage, the term referred to the act of logical deliberation and the conclusion drawn from it. In some commercial contexts, it is used as a technical term for mathematical calculation or reckoning. (Fenlason, A. C. (2014). Lexham Theological Wordbook. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.)

Anything that references math has to be a good thing (spoken by a Mathematician). I also like the Amplified Bible take on the word, "Philippians 4:8 (AMP) — … think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]."

Also, wholesome conduct (vs 9) follows wholesome thinking (vs 8). The best thing to saturate you mind with is the word of God, but there are things of beauty: classical stories, wholesome music, art, photography, etc. Paul lists 8 different things in verse 8 suggesting multiple sources. I've always considered the Word as the primary and only source of good thinking, but that may be too confining. We need to saturate our mind with all sources of wholesome beauty.

PRAYER: Father, help me to continue to renew my mind through your word and wholesome thinking. Give me insights into different things I can do to ponder your beauty.

QT 7 Nov 19, Phil 4:10-13, Do you know the secret of contentment?

Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV) — 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

NOTE: The latter sentence, Phil 4:13, is quoted quite often. But the context is a little different than the reason for which people often quote it. The context is contentment -- whether well-fed or hungry, in abundance or need, Paul had learned the secret of contentment. We might reply, "but it is easy to be content when there is an abundance." That is not necessarily true. When a person is in abundance, he can get what he needs or want on a whim. But does he really need it? And should he really get it? Those are spiritual questions. And they are difficult, especially when your flesh is telling you that you need that thing or that experience. How do you know whether it is truly a need? You have the funds and it barely makes a dent in your abundance. But is it good for your soul? I think that is harder sometimes than not having to deal with the issue because of a lack of funds.

PRAYER: Father, credit cards give people the illusion of having the funds to satisfy their every desire. But they have not yet learned the secret of contentment--that a relationship with Jesus can satisfy the deepest desires of our souls. Open our eyes to see you and to love you with all of our hearts.

QT 6 Nov 19, Phil 4:8-9, Healing is so close …

Philippians 4:8–9 (ESV) — 8 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. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

NOTE: Talk about a great verse for mental health, this would be near the top of the list. Mental health can be caused by physical or chemical makeup. But it is also something we can bring upon ourselves. There is a battle on-going for the control of our mind. A number of mental health issues can develop from excessive bitterness, unwillingness to forgive, comparisons, covetous, anger, and victimization -- to name a few. We can do these things to ourselves. The evil one can convince us to wallow in mental behavior that slowly destroys our mind. Paul lists a different way of thinking that can bring healing from the spiritual impacts of the enemy. In Romans, Paul also mentions the need to renew our mind. The word of God has the power to break enemy strongholds in our mind. But the enemy wants to do everything possible to keep us from daily getting into the word of God. He knows there is healing in a daily relationship with the savior.

PRAYER: Father, the healing balm is within our reach, but we refuse to reach out. Please, open our minds to see and understand truth. We don't have to be powerless babes living in the muck. We can rise up to be the men and women of God you designed us to be. Have mercy on us. Help us to see and understand the absolute need for daily intake of your word.

QT 5 Nov 19, Phil 4:5, Others should recognize our "unselfishness"

Philippians 4:5 (RSV) — Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand.

NOTE: The ESV translates forbearance as reasonableness. NIV says gentleness. NASB uses gentle spirit. Finally, the Amplified is worth quoting the whole verse, Philippians 4:5 (AMP) — Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon]. This is also the application of Philippians 2, the attitude of giving up your rights. I actually like the word "reasonableness" the best. I work with individuals that are completely unreasonable. It is their way or else. I see it often. At times, as a Director, I am tempted to act similarly. But then I ask myself, how important is the issue really? If it is not an ethical or moral issue, it really does not matter. Do I have to have my way? Does it matter so much if I give in? I want to be known as gentle and reasonable, as opposed to the other opposite descriptions.

PRAYER: Father, give me a gentle spirit so that people enjoy working with me. I pray that my life would honor Jesus Christ and show people the power of the gospel.

QT 4 Nov 19, Phil 4:2-3, We are called to give up our rights

Philippians 4:2–3 (RSV) — 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 And I ask you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

NOTE: Paul calls out two women by name in the church to come together in agreement. The issue is not mentioned. This does seem unusual for a letter from Paul. I assume that the disagreement was well known in the church and that the two women were important members of the church. Not all disagreements can be solved. But in this case, Paul seems to feel that it can be solved. In context with the book, this is a perfect illustration of Jesus' example of humility and of Jesus giving up his rights to save us. One or both of these women need to be the mature believer and come together in unity. Does it mean they have to agree? I'm not sure on that point, but certainly the public fighting, or gossiping, or slander--if those were involved-- needs to come to an end.

PRAYER: Father, there is one person at work which I do have great difficulty in showing friendship. I need to be the one to let go of his stupid comments and not reply in kind. I need to be the mature one. The first step is to ignore his attacks, and the second step is to be positive about his contributions. Father, help me today to do that.

QT 1 Nov 19, Phil 3:18-19, Enemies of the cross are all around

Philippians 3:18–19 (RSV) — 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

NOTE: If he is referring to believers, destruction would be physical death. But I think he would have addressed believers differently. I think that these are people outside of the church who have an influence on the church. There are many who, unfortunately, influence the church. The media with its so-called experts, talk show hosts, actors, actresses, directors, movie producers, supposedly unbiased news shows, etc., all influence the church. They create a worldview in their shows that influence our thinking because we are not grounded in God's word. Politicians (who are also a product of the media) fan the flames of the worldview for personal gain. We are awash in evil and wicked thinking by enemies of the cross, men and women whose god is the belly (what feels and tastes good as opposed to what is morally and rationally good). They glory in their shame -- transgenderism, gender identity, diversity for diversity sake, the list goes on. They have minds focused only on earthly things. They do not understand spiritual things. Their hearts are seared by sin. Sadly, they will live in delusion until their eternal death. I only wish we did not look so much like them.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for elevating human understanding and the worldview of today above your word. Truth is not relative. It is absolute and given by the moral lawgiver. All of our attempts to be our own gods have failed miserably. Forgive us, we are so deceived and so wicked.

QT 31 Oct 19, Phil 3:13-15, What is our "one thing" we do?

Philippians 3:13–15 (RSV) — 13 Brethren, 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 be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you.

NOTE: The picture here is really about running and competing in an athletic event. A few things stand out -- "but one thing I do." This is really important. This is the driving goal of Paul's life. Nothing else compares. Second item to stand out is the number of prepositional phrases -- toward, for the, of the, of, and in. What is Paul's goal? It is an upward call of God in Christ Jesus. In the races, highly respected officers would hand the reward down to the participant. There is a reward for living the Christian life correctly. We all receive eternal life, but there are rewards only given to those who live completely for Jesus. The mature know this, the immature fight against it because they want to wallow in the world.

PRAYER: Father, I want to live like Paul. I want to earn a reward for faithful service. I want a crown that I can wear and then throw down at your feet to communicate how thankful I am for my salvation. I know I am unworthy of salvation, but I am not unworthy enough to say I'm thankful or to worship you correctly.

QT 30 Oct 19, Phil 3:11, Experiencing the rapture

Philippians 3:11 (RSV) — … that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

NOTE: The resurrection from the dead is a promise in scripture. All believers in Christ who have died are guaranteed a resurrection from the dead. Part of the difficulty with this passage is that the translation here is probably not the best. Paul creates a word "out-resurrection" which is not used in any other place. There are many explanations for "out-resurrection" and I think he refers to the resurrection while one lives, or the rapture. I don't think he feared death and maybe he wanted to die to experience everything the savior experienced. But I think he wanted to see Christ returning to rapture the saints. It is a resurrection out of the body, which is dead because of a sin, into a new glorified body. Only believers alive at Jesus' coming will experience a resurrection from their body into a new glorified body. Believers who have died, will be resurrected from the grave into a new glorified body. And technically, since their dead bodies are decayed, their spirits will be combined with new bodies at the rapture.

PRAYER: Father, it is so hard to imagine life in a glorified body. I am so used to dealing with my sinful nature on a daily basis. I look forward to that day when you will rescue me from this body. I hope to see it and to experience the rapture, because I wish to see justice finally come.

QT 29 Oct 19, Phil 2:27, While we have great hope in death, it is also a sad tim

Philippians 2:27 (RSV) — Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

NOTE: In the earlier part of the letter, Paul said it was far better to be with the Lord. But here, Paul expresses the reality of death to those left behind--sorrow upon sorrow. Yes, we know a believer has a great future, but there is sorrow in the passing of a loved one or a close friend. It is okay. It is normal. It is an emotion that is part of real life and not to be neglected. To be sad does not mean that you don’t believe in heaven, but that you are an emotionally healthy person who loves and cares for others.

PRAYER: Father, help me to encourage others who struggle with the reality of death. Help me to encourage them to cry when a love one passes. Help us not to live as stoic Christians who checked their emotions at the door. We need to be real.

QT 28 Oct 19, Phil 2:20-21, True leaders are genuinely anxious for their team

Philippians 2:20–21 (RSV) — 20 I have no one like him, who will be genuinely anxious for your welfare. 21 They all look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

NOTE: I believe that this is the key to leadership, a genuine concern for the welfare of your team. A leader who is looking after his interests is not serving as a Christian leader because the welfare of the team is the  interest of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Looking deeper, the words welfare and interests are not there in the Greek, at least from what I can tell. They are implied. Instead the words yours and themselves are in the Greek. The emphasis is on leaders who are only concerned for themselves as opposed to yours, or the things that are important to you. Paul had no one like Timothy in that regard. He cared about people. This has also been a passion of mine since I took my first job as a leader -- when I was appointed a squadron commander. I am called to love the people who work for me. I need to care for them and to protect them like my own family.

PRAYER: Father, help me to know how I can care for and to protect the people on my team. I want to help them grow as persons. I wish that they could see the love of Jesus Christ in my life. Let me be your light in a dark world.

QT 24 Oct 19, Phil 2:5-7, Extreme humility

Philippians 2:5–7 (RSV) — 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

NOTE: The illustration here of Jesus as God becoming a man is so otherworldly as to seem incomprehensible to the point, which is about humbling yourself. Jesus was God and Jesus emptied himself to become a man. There is no human counterpart other than dying for another person. Paul seems to be saying, I not talking about humbling yourself a little, I am suggest a complete humbling to the point that I die (my estimation of my importance). But then I wonder, can anyone have that type of mind? If Paul, in essence the Lord speaking through Paul, is asking me to completely humble myself for the sake of others, then it must be possible. This is the most difficult struggle of my arrogant life. I really do struggle. I want to puff myself up and make sure that people know of my accomplishments or my knowledge. I need to let go of that. I really need to ditch those efforts.

PRAYER: Father, help me to see today (especially in my class) how I am trying to exalt myself. Bring to mind my quiet time. Expose my sin to me. Give me grace and strength to humble myself for the sake of others.

QT 22 Oct 19, Phil 1:29-30, Stand up for truth

Philippians 1:29–30 (RSV) — 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict which you saw and now hear to be mine.

NOTE: I don't suffer like Paul or other first century believers. Yes, my views are marginalized. Yes, my opportunities are limited due to my close-minded thinking. Yes, people may laugh at me behind my back, and even at times, ridicule my ideas publicly. All these things hurt, but they are not suffering. I don't wish to experience suffering, but my point is that I do not want to live in a way to avoid it. It is possible to avoid it. But, I want to be honest and bold with my faith. While the majority may disagree with me, I am not alone. I'm not even sure the majority in churches agree with me. I believe we are undergoing an apostasy in the church today. Apostasy is when believers reject God's word for a worldview opposed to God. But those of us who still believe that the entire bible is the word of God, we need to be unified.

PRAYER: Father, help the true Church to stand up against the wickedness in the world. Give us boldness and courage to say what others do not want to hear.

QT 21 Oct 19, Phil 1:24-25, What is my ministry and am I fully engaged?

Philippians 1:24–25 (RSV) — 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

NOTE: Paul was convinced that it was not his time to go to heaven, because he was needed here on earth. Which is not to say that someone is indispensable to God. Paul was not. God could have found a replacement. But Paul realized that God was using him and was planning on using him more. It is nice to be needed and it is even better when you are needed for the good of all. I wonder if I am needed? It is a good question for all of us to ponder. What is our ministry? Are we engaged in ministry? Are we giving God one hundred percent or enough to get by? Only full commitment is sufficient. God does not need half-hearted servants. I desire to be needed.

PRAYER: Father help me to see the opportunities you put before me for ministry. I pray that I would be fully engaged. I pray I would be whole-hearted. I pray that I would not shrink back.

QT 18 Oct 19, Phil 1:17-18, I can rejoice in all things

Philippians 1:17–18 (RSV) — 17 the former proclaim Christ out of partisanship, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice.

NOTE: By the end of his life, Paul was a positive individual. I don't think he started out that way. He seems much harsher in his letter to Galatians. Of course, in the letter to the Galatians, the Judaizers had changed the gospel, and so that is a different problem. Still, he is not bothered by people with the wrong motives. He sees God's hand at work in the good and the bad. He is not discouraged. In fact, he is making special effort to communicate to the Philippians that things are going well. I can't imagine Paul sulking or playing the "woe is me" card. Why? Because he truly believed in the sovereign hand of God in his life. No matter how bad things were going, he trusted in God and maintained his hope in God.

PRAYER: Father, protect me from the world's traps. One of them is to feel sorry for yourself when things don't go the way you want them. Lord, I want to rejoice always and maintain a positive attitude because you are my hope and you are in charge.

QT 17 Oct 2019, Phil 1:6, We have to make disciples for the good of the body

Philippians 1:6 (RSV) — And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

NOTE: Paul was confident of the work that God was doing in the lives of his spiritual children. I wonder why? Maybe because he saw it in their commitment to him. Maybe he saw it in their suffering. I don't see it in my church or most churches I've been involved. I see people, who call themselves Christians, living carnal lives. They are nice, but they are not witnesses. I see gossip and petty arguments and selfishness. I don't see enough disciples or disciple-making -- at least according to Jesus' definition. A disciple is simply a follower, but Jesus put stringent requirements on the term to be his disciple. Maybe Paul's confidence was that he truly communicated and taught people to be Jesus' disciples according to Jesus' definition. Yes, if that was the case, I too could have the same confidence in the church body.

PRAYER: Father open our eyes to the reality of our salvation. Help us to truly live as disciples and to truly make disciples. We don't need facts, what we need is application of the truths to our lives. We know ninety percent of what we will ever know about the bible, but we only live one percent of it. Change us I pray.

QT 5 Jul 18, Phil 2:19, A real Christian lives for others

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
10	Phil 2:19-30	7/5	Philippians 2:19 (ESV) — 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.	Timothy and Epaphroditus were key men in Paul's ministry. Both were more concerned for others than they were concerned for their own lives. They were true disciples, not selfish religious zealots. There is a big difference. Jesus Christ changes a life from a self-centered man to an other-centered man. If you are not other-centered, maybe you have not been changed by Jesus.	Father, help us to see the example of these men and to follow it. Help us to live sacrificial lives that esteems others as more important than ourselves. Help us to live for the kingdom and not for our contentment.

QT 8 Feb 18, Phil 2:30, The health and wealth gospel is a false doctrine

Wk	Date	Passage	Key Verses(s) [Optional]	Basic Thing(s) Taught	Personal Insight(s) & Application(s)	Prayer Response
16	2/8	Phil 2:19-30 (key:30)	Philippians 2:30 (ESV) — 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.	Epaphroditus took a long trip to visit Paul and to bring support. Along the way, he got sick and nearly died. He is commended by Paul that he nearly died for the work of Christ.	This certainly squelches a health and wealth gospel narrative. Epaphroditus was a godly man who was praised by Paul for his service. His sickness worried Paul. So why did not Paul heal him or Epaphroditus heal himself through prayer? Because God  does not promise to keep us healthy and wealthy.	Father, open the eyes of those who falsely teach doctrines of the health and wealth gospel. Yes, there is GREAT blessing in knowing Christ. Yes, you bless us in many ways. Yes, we need to be thankful for everything we are given including health and wealth. But no, there is no promise that you will make us healthy and wealthy in this life.

QT 7 Feb 18, Phil 2:12, Sanctification requires application of God's word ot one's life

Wk	Date	Passage	Key Verses(s) [Optional]	Basic Thing(s) Taught	Personal Insight(s) & Application(s)	Prayer Response
16	2/7	Phil 2:12-18	Philippians 2:12 (ESV) — 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,	We don't work for salvation and yet this verse suggests otherwise. Actually there are three aspects to salvation. When we believe, our position changes--we are justified in God's eyes. While we live, we are in the process of being sanctified--becoming more like Jesus (this is the working out discussed here). When we die, we will be glorified, the final aspect of salvation which is yet future.	Becoming like Christ is an important aspect of our salvation. It occurs through obedience and work, something like application. Not only that, but we are to do it with fear and trembling which is suggestive of seriousness. Do we really take obedience to God seriously?	Father, help me, help our church to see the importance of seriousness in our walk with God. Change us, wake us, remake us in your image.