Welcome to my online blog for our Vineyard Life Journal!
This forum IS NOT for debate or to correct each other, but to share our insights and observations. (Actually, I will be keeping a pretty tight rein on the comments section, and I will have the ability to block trolls, spammers or those who just want to stir the pot.)
Before you comment or read what I have posted, read today’s passages for yourself and complete your own S.O.A.P. exercise… (If you read mine first, it may taint what you think.)
For more info, check out this link:
Introduction to Life Journal CLICK HERE.
Click here for today’s reading: Philippians 1, 2, 3, 4
Here is my SOAP for today, Thursday, December 6, 2018
Scripture
Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
27 “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
10 “… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 3:12 “12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
20 “… our citizenship is in heaven.”
Philippians 4:11 “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Observation
“… our citizenship is in heaven.”
Application
Wow! What a thought to meditate upon! “Our citizenship is in heaven.”
Our citizenship is in heaven…
Our CITIZENSHIP is in heaven.
Our citizenship is in HEAVEN!
Ephesians 2:6 “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…” Paul wrote both of these verses, one echoing the other. Understanding that “positionally” we are seated in heavenly places IN Christ Jesus… We are citizens of heaven. That is true, positionally… it’s a fact… that will be fully realized… eventually…
But… it is still true… we ARE seated in heavenly places IN Christ Jesus… AND, we ARE citizens of heaven… while still here on earth.
True is true, regardless of our “reality” or even our beliefs about that!
(I just renewed my driver’s license recently… I should have put down Heaven” as the state in which I live! Lol)
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the book of Philippians. So, so, so encouraging! Water to my soul!
S:
Phillipians 1:6
…being confident in this, that he who has done a goos work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
O:
Some days we don’t notice much of a change in ourselves that we “feel” like God is “at work” in us. But, it says be confident in that!
A:
Holding fast that He IS working and it IS a good work.
P:
Father thank you for this day and all your promises. For loving me as I am.. I love you
S
Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
2:5, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
2:14-15, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…”
3:8-9, “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
3:13-14, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
3:20-21, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
4:12-13, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
O
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 was one of the first verses I ever memorized.
A
My citizenship is in heaven. Wow…there will be no talk of politics, immigration, taxes, democrat or republican, and the list goes on. How exciting that he will “bring everything under his control”. No news channels to give us their spin on the state of the world. AND we will be given new bodies! Wohoo! So that we will be like his glorious body! No more pain, limitations and disabilities. No more meds! If I want to run a marathon, my body would be able to do that! I miss my running days!!
P
Abba Father, Thank you for providing for my family. Help me to be content in this stage of life Keith and I are in. It’s easy to be content when we have plenty, but being content when living in need is a true sign of how much we trust you and place our lives in your hands. I love you Lord.
“But… it is still true… we ARE seated in heavenly places IN Christ Jesus… AND, we ARE citizens of heaven… while still here on earth.” Something I hadn’t thought about before. “that will be fully realized… eventually…” Good stuff Scott!
And I too am thankful for the book of Philippians…so full of joy, hope and encouragement.