Chapter 4

Please read the chapter thoroughly at least once, and write down any questions you have or any verses that stick out to you. 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204&version=ESV

STUDY

• What are we supposed to do mentioned verse 4?

• Verses 6 & 7 say, " Do not be _________ about anything, but in ___________ by _________and ___________ with __________ let your ________ be know to God. And the ______ of God, which _______ all __________, will ______ your ______ and your ______ in Christ Jesus."

• What is the list of things that Paul tells us to practice and think about?

• In whose strength can you do all things?

APPLICATION

• How hard is it to rejoice always? In what ways lately have you struggled to rejoice?

• Are you an anxious person?  Verses 6 and 7 would be great Scripture to tape around your house!

• What things do you recognize in your life that don't fall into the list of things that are encouraged to think or practice?

• Naturally, are you content in every situation?  How do you think Paul attained that contentment?

• Do you truly believe verse 13?

PRUNING ME

    Anxiety: is it because I don't have faith, but rather fear?  Pauls says that if we just surrender our anxieties and requests to God, that He will give us peace. I used to have anxiety attacks fairly regularly- looking back I didn't surrender all things to Him, great and small, and allowed myself to be overcome by them.

    Is there anything in my lfie that I spend time thinking or doing that is not true, honorable, pure, just, lovely, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise?  Um...yes.  Is the time I spend shopping online worthy of praise? Are the earthly dreams I have about earthly things excellent?  Sometimes we wrestle with our thoughts and actions- is God pleased when I do these things.  Most of the time it can be veryh obvious, but other times, we fight our convictions and try to justify what we are thinking or doing. Also, sometimes we fight the spiritual battle of Satan trying to discourage us from what we should be doing. Verse 8 is a great text to test what it is you are doing and thinking.  Is what I am doing true?  Is what I am doing honorable? Is what I am doing pure? Is what I am doing just? Is what I am doing lovely?  Is what I am doing commendable? Is what I am doing excellent? Is what I am doing worthy of praise?

    Again, Paul encourages people to imitate him in what he has taught and practiced. That is a very honorable thing- and it's a great thing to ask God to work out in each of us.  I can't say that my life reflects goodness so much that I can tell people to do what I do. 

    Challenging myself, I ask myself these questions: Am I content in the Lord enough that no matter what situation He alone is enough?  Do I truly believe I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength?

• Leanne