Expressing-Philippians 4

This picture just screams rejoice to me. Paul kept telling everyone to rejoice in the Lord. If there is one thing I learned from Paul it was to rejoice, and to be happy in every circumstance. God put Paul in a very hard situation, but look what Paul did. He made the best out of it and affected SO many peoples lives. I cant wait to get to talk to Paul one day in heaven. Philippians is a rejoicing chapter, and I am so glad I got the oppurtunity to study it this summer.

Applying-Philippians 4

• Verse 8 says: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. " I think this is a great verse. I do think or dwell on these things, but the problem is, I think dwell on them when it is most convenient for me. In the hard times, I dont always want to think about these things, I just want to pout. I need to challenge myself so that when the hard times come, I can think on those things. Those things can really make a difference in our walks with Jesus Christ.

Feeling-Philippians 4

• Philippians four makes me feel happy! Although for the Philippians it might have been very sad because their letter was coming to an end. I like how much hope it gives you. It doesnt end sadly. The rejoicing part really meant a lot to me. It is important to rejoice in all circumstances. You might be going through a very hard time, but God knows what he is doing. Sometimes God teaches us lessons from the hard time. When you learn a lesson from God you just want to rejoice. God is so magnificent, and he always makes me want to rejoice!
• This chapter makes me feel safe. It reminds me that I am safe in Gods hands, no matter what. Nothing can ever tare me apart from Gods arms. I think Paul has a great order of writing his letter. He gives the people hope. He doesnt complain about his situation, he cares about the people.

Evaluating-Philippians 4

• Paul has a perfect way of writing the end of his letter. I think he hits many many key points in the Christian walk. There is always something to learn from Paul.
• Rejoicing really sticks out to me in this chapter. I think as part of our world view it is really important to rejoice. It makes us stick out from other people. Other people look at that joy and think something is different about them, in a good way, and want to know what it is.
• In verse 8 if we really stick to thinking on those things, that will make us stick out too. Not only will we stick out, but it will improve our walk with christ personally.

Understanding-Philippians 4

• Paul really cared for the Philippians. He wasn't taking care of them so that he would get rewarded, he genuinely cared about them. When you mentor someone, it should not be for your own interests but for theirs.
• In verse 4 Paul says Rejoice in the Lord. Sometimes we get so caught up in a christian to do list. When we shouldn't have a to do list. We should just do things for the Lord to please Him. It is also very important that we take time to rejoice.
• Prayer is very important in our walk with Christ. It is one of the ways of communication to talk to our Lord. Some people do not take prayer as seriously as they need to.
• Verse 8 is very important. I think it sums up everything that Paul was trying to say. Focus on the things that bring honor to God. Not the things that bring him dishonor.
• Paul really understands the meaning of be thankful and happy in every situation. When Paul says he makes the best out of it, he really means it.

Observing-Philippians 4

• Paul says the Philippians are his joy and crown. This shows how much he cares for them. He constantly is saying that he loves them.
• Rejoice. Paul says to rejoice in the Lord, and that He is near. Rejoicing is so important.
• Paul keeps urging them to pray. Prayer is a VERY powerful thing, I have learned from experience. Paul is very wise in encouraging them to pray so much.
• Verse 8 is SO important.   "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. " This verse really sticks out to me as a Christian. We do need to dwell on those things.
• Paul says he has learned to be content in any circumstance.
• Paul is closing his letter in a very good and understandable way.
• Paul says he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. We all could do more, if we put more trust in God. We really can do anthing with Christ.
• Paul thanks the Philippians at the end of his letter for all that they did for him.
• He closes his letter by saying The grace of Christ be with them. I think that is a very nice way of closing the letter.

Expressing-Philipians 3

Listen in the dictionary is: To give attention with the ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing; give ear.

What really stuck out in chapter 3 to me was that we need to listen to God when he tells us something, and sometimes he tells us over and over again. I chose this picture because I think it displays listening very well. When you stand out by a lot of trees on a windy day, you will often, if you try really hard, the wind howling. God is like the trees and the wind. We are listening, and we migh thear it or we might not. This whole chapter Paul is repeating things that he has already told the Philippians. As Christians we need to hear what God is trying to tell us, and really take time to listen.

Applying-Phillipians 3

• Philippians 3 has taught me that God will keep telling you the same things over and over again until we listen. Sometimes I dont want to listen because I think I dont need to at the time. However, I do need to be listening to God all the time and take action when he tells me to do something. Sometimes I feel like I am a little stuck up when I am trying to listen to Christ. Maybe its like me defense mechanism. Either way it is not right. Next time I am at church or in my Bible I need to really listen to what God is trying to say to me, no matter what it is, and take action with a happy submissive spirit.

Feeling-Philippians 3

• This chapter makes me feel like I need to listen. I dont always listen to what God is trying to tell me. Sometimes its because I feel like I dont need to listen. Paul has been a great role model for me in this area. He is not prideful. Im not prideful to other people, but I sometimes am when I am listening to God. I really need to listen and take action when God is showing me something.

Evaluating-Philippians 3

•  When Paul warns them of the dogs and evil doers, it reminds me of today's culture. There is so much going on in today's world. So many people accept things that should not be accepted. I think as Christians we have to be extremely careful and not let others influence us. It is so easy to be influenced in today's culture. Like Paul says to beware of the dogs and evil doers, we need to beware of the dogs and evil doers of today's culture.
• Profit is loss to Paul for the sake of Christ. When we die, we will not have the things that were on Earth. I think that this is a concept that we need to take more seriously. It is OK to have nice things, but it is not OK to dwell on them. I think if the USA could be less greedy than our country would be a lot better.

Understanding-Philippians 3

• Paul starts his letter with Finally my bretherns rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. When he says it is no trouble for him to tell them the same things, that makes me feel comforted. I sometimes feel like I'm the only one being told the same things over and over. However, lots of people like the Philippians are being told the same things.
• Later Paul starts in on beware of evil dogs, evil doers, and mutilators of the flesh. Paul was very smart in telling them this. Sometimes we think we can handle them, but we cant. We need Gods help. I like how Paul warns them. He doesn't say if they come he says watch out for them, because they will come. I think Paul is very smart the way he words this chunk.
• Whatever was profit Paul counts it loss for the sake of Christ. I love this part. It makes so much since! People in the world think they have to have more more more and bigger bigger bigger, yet they don't. Who are we to judge how much is to much? God blesses some of us with more than others. Some people worship money like God. That is not OK. I think we do need to count our stuff as loss so we can have a better relationship with Christ.
• Paul wants to know the power of the resurrection, the fellowship of his death, and attain the resurrection from the dead. So basically Paul wants to know all he can about Jesus Christ. I think this is really cool. Paul is so dedicated. I think that is why he was just the right person to teach the Philippians.
• Paul is not prideful when he teaches the Philippians, but he is humble. I think it is important we understand that. When we go tell others about the gospel we need to be humble about it. No one will want to listen if we are stuck up or prideful about it. Paul was very careful about being prideful.

Observing-Philippians 3

• Repition is very important to Paul. I think repition is very important, and it helps you learn more.
• Paul says it is no trouble for him to say the same things again. I think this is a great thing for him to say. God constantly is telling us the same things over and over again. It never hurts to keep repeating the same things.
• Our safegaurds are really important in our Christian walk. God will always protect us, because he has already won the battle! We dont have to worry about satan. satan might still tempt us but over all we are safe from him.
• Paul made a big deal of Jewish traditions. I think the reason why he did this is becasue the things her was saying applies to everyone. Beware of evildoers, every Christian, Jew, Chatholic, and anyone who believes in Jesus Christ does need to beware of the evil doers. One day, when we are all in heaven, there will be Jews, Catholics, Christians, etc. I dont think your religion is what gets you into heaven, it is your faith, and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Paul is really big on giving himself up for Christ. He keeps repeating that. I think that is one of the most important things in this chapter, because you have to be selfless to enjoy your relationship with Jesus Christ. You can NOT be selfish in your relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Values:

            Knowing Christ as your Lord
            Losing things so that you can have a better relationship with Him
            Having righteouseness in faith, and not the law

• KNOWING Christ would look like: Read the Bible, Praying, having a close relationship with him
• KNOWING the power of his ressurection would look like: Trusting him through any sistuation.
• KNOWING the fellowship of his sufferrings would look like: Praising him
• Paul being conformed to his death to attain his ressurection. As humans we all die, yet only some of us know where we are going when we die. When Paul attains his resurection he will be in heaven with his Father.
• Some of the Philippians might have just thought that Paul was perfect, when he wasnt. I think Paul is very humble in writing his letters. He doesnt put himself higher to get attention.
• The goal and the prize are diferent to me. The goal is to be like Christ and get to know him more. I thin kthe prize is getting to enjoy that goal.
• My favorite phrase in this chapter is "It is no trouble for me to write teh samethings to you again, and it is a safegaurd for you"

           

Expressing-Philippians 2

• In verses 5-11 explains what Jesus Christ "looks" like. We are supposed to reflect Christ. Sometimes it is hard to reflect the attitude of Jesus Christ, but it is well worth it. If we were like Christ all the time than a lot of people would want to strive to be like us. However, we can not be perfect like Christ all the time, yet we should strive to be.
• Verse 14 says we should do everything without complaining or arguing. Complaining is very obnoxious, yet a lot of times I find myself complaining. Paul encourages them not to so that they will stand out in the world. I want to stand out, in a good way. I want others to look at me and say wow I want to be like her, so that I can lead them to Christ. Then they can enjoy the same life.
• Lastly, Paul loves the Philippians and wants to be their mentor for them. It is really cool to see how influential Paul is in their lives. Paul loves them, but God loves me even more! His love for me ad you is amazing, and we will never be able to understand it. God truly loves me for who I am, and that really makes me feel safe and important.
• God wants me to reflect His Patience.
• God wants me to reflect His love.
• God wants me to reflect His Contentment.

Applying-Philippians 2

• Paul states that we should not complain. I can complain a lot more than I should. Phillipians two has really taught me not to complain as much.
• God has a plan and a prpose for my life. I need to allow God to start a good work in me so that I can fulfill it with his help.
• Phillipians is a great book. Phillipians 2 is a great chapter, and I learned a couple of very convicting things. God cares for each one of us, and He has an amazing plan, we just might not know what it is.

Feeling-Philippians 2

• It makes me feel great that Paul would invest his time in these people. I dont know if I could, sad to say. Paul really loves the Phillipians, and wants to take care of them. I makes me feel great because as much as Paul loves them God loves them more. God loves me just like the Phillipians, and that makes me feel great.
• Phillipians two makes me feel a little guilty. I complain and grumble a lot more than I should. Paul was there in jail and he was fine, and incouraging the Phillipians not to complain. Paul is a role model to me in that way. I shouldnt complain.
• Phillipians two also makes me feel safe. I know God will always take care of me no matter what. Paul was in jail, and God still took care of him. Knowing that God can take care of Paul in his lowest, He can take care of me in my lowest as well.

Evaluating-Philippians 2

• "look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." I really like this part, and I sums up the Christian life. We are supposed to take care of others and help them. I think as Christians today we sometimes forget that. We use lame excuses, well I don't have time, well I really need to do the dishes, well I don't feel like I'm the right person. When we should be helping others and not making excuses.
• Our attitudes should be like Jesus Christ. I struggle with that sometimes. I really tend to complain and not be patient. The Bible says to have an attitude like Christ. For me that means I really need to work on complaining and being patient.
• God will provide and take care of us through every obstacle in our life. That means a lot to me! It makes me rest and have peace.
• Paul really cares for Epaphroditus, his brother. Siblings are very important. Escpealliy when you are christians, because you realize God has a purpose for both of you, and you should love and be there for eachother.
• Non Christians tend to give up and not care about anything. However, Christians have hope. We believe God has a plan. Just like Paul believes he will get to see the Phillipians again.

Understanding-Philippians 2

•Paul wants the Phillipians to imitate Jesus Christ. He says that a couple of times in this chapter. Paul wants them to imitate Christ so others will see them and maybe know Christ themselves.
•Paul also invocises that they not complain or grumble. I think we can ALL learn something from that. Today almost everyone complains when they do not get what they want. Paul is right when he says do not grumble. I think our society needs to learn to not grumble.
•Paul really cares for his brother Epaphroditus. He loves his brother. In today's society we sometimes take our siblings for granite. Paul almost lost his brother because he was living for Christ. What if you were to loose your sibling? I would feel awful. I don't ever want to take my brother for granite.
•Paul says that he believes that he will see the Phillipians soon. He has true faith in Jesus Christ.

Observation-Philippians 2

•Paul wants the Phillipians to be like minded and to act like Jesus Christ.
•He encourages them to do nothing out of selfish ambition. However he wants them to be humble.
•Paul tells them to pay attention to others and not them selves.
•Paul enforces that it is very important to have a servants heart.
•Obedience means a lot to Paul.
•Paul says do everything without complaining.
•Timothy likes the Phillipians as well.
•Paul keeps stating that people tend to look out just for their own interests.
•Timothy loves the Lord a lot like Paul.
•Paul is confident that he will see the Phillipians soon.
•Epaphroditus is Pauls brother.
•Epaphroditus almost died working for the Lord.
•God deserves our worship.
•Every knee will bow on the day of Jesus Christ.