Spiritual Practices: Note taking
Overview
This passage is part of Paul's final instructions to the Jesus followers in Philippi. These instructions are not just applicable to them, they are just as important to us today.
Practice
As you read through this passage, make a note about every instruction that Paul gives. Write them down and think about how they can apply to your life.
Overview
This passage is part of Paul's final instructions to the Jesus followers in Philippi. These instructions are not just applicable to them, they are just as important to us today.
Practice
As you read through this passage, make a note about every instruction that Paul gives. Write them down and think about how they can apply to your life.
Spiritual Practices: Breath Prayer
Overview
In Philippians 4, Paul gives his final instructions to the Jesus followers in Philippi. In this section, Paul opens with the idea of rejoicing in God. In verse 6, he talks about not being anxious, but the first step in avoiding anxiety is rejoicing in God. This changes our focus from our circumstances to our God. That is what this breath prayer is about.
Prayer
O Lord God, I rejoice in you.
Overview
In Philippians 4, Paul gives his final instructions to the Jesus followers in Philippi. In this section, Paul opens with the idea of rejoicing in God. In verse 6, he talks about not being anxious, but the first step in avoiding anxiety is rejoicing in God. This changes our focus from our circumstances to our God. That is what this breath prayer is about.
Prayer
O Lord God, I rejoice in you.
Exploring the Text: Fixing our minds
As part of his final instructions to the disciples in Philippi, Paul gives some direction on what we should think about, or fix our minds on. This is related to his instruction in this letter to the Romans to renew their minds (Romans 12:2). Paul encourages them to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. These are the types of things that we need to fix our thoughts on, and in so doing, we will begin to renew our minds.
There will be times that other things invade our thoughts. We cannot always control thoughts that fly through our minds, but we can choose what we focus on, what we fix our minds on. The more we fix on mind on things that measure up to Paul's standards in this passage, the better, healthier, and stronger we become. That is why Paul is exhorting the Philippians to guard what they think about and why we should as well.
David Dalton
As part of his final instructions to the disciples in Philippi, Paul gives some direction on what we should think about, or fix our minds on. This is related to his instruction in this letter to the Romans to renew their minds (Romans 12:2). Paul encourages them to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. These are the types of things that we need to fix our thoughts on, and in so doing, we will begin to renew our minds.
There will be times that other things invade our thoughts. We cannot always control thoughts that fly through our minds, but we can choose what we focus on, what we fix our minds on. The more we fix on mind on things that measure up to Paul's standards in this passage, the better, healthier, and stronger we become. That is why Paul is exhorting the Philippians to guard what they think about and why we should as well.
David Dalton