Thrive Ministries International

When Paul tells us to rejoice he is talking about an inner joy or contentment. Our rejoicing is because Jesus is Lord. It is not based on circumstances but is based on the Lordship of Jesus.

Paul addresses women in the church who are fighting. He tells them to live in harmony which means to single mind or to have one plan. That plan is the spreading the Gospel.

The church at Philippi was Paul's joy and crown. Paul reassures the church of their importance to him. Then he tells them to stand firm. Do not give up in the fight.

We are at this time citizens of heaven. We are waiting for Jesus to come and take us home either in death or the rapture. When He does, our bodies will become like his heavenly body.

Paul warns the Philippians about people to not follow. These people are enemies of the cross. They are the legalistic people who ever invading Philippi.

We need an example to follow. This is a need for every believer. We need to mimic those believers who have conquered the areas of life that we are going through.

As pertaining to the goal, we are perfect. When we accepted Christ's sacrifice for our sins, our destiny was established. We need that attitude in our lives.

Paul tells us to press, to push into the goal. The word towards means to focus. We must focus on the goal which is when God calls us home.

Spiritual comfort is our greatest enemy. Paul tells us that he keeps pressing forward. The things behind us are the good accomplishments and the bad.

When we think we are comfortable with our knowledge of Christ and our lives at present we stop growing and knowing who Christ is. Keep pressing into knowing Christ Jesus the Lord

Christ Jesus the Lord wants us to know Him. When that is our priority than we know His power and His suffering. We then become conformed to His death.

When we know Christ Jesus the Lord we know that we are in Him. We see ourselves as righteous because we are in Him. This all happens by making knowing Christ Jesus the Lord our first priority

When we make knowing Christ Jesus my Lord as our first priority we begin to gain all that His is in our own lives. We become like Him.

Paul has suffered the forfeiture of all things for Christ Jesus his Lord. Not only that be considers them a garbage, something top be thrown away so He could gain Christ.

Paul is talking about all things being loss in comparison to knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. This is the real spiritual hunger!

Paul thinks that everything he gained or earned from his status and religious activities is loss or damaged goods.

Paul's reason to put confidence in the flesh, which he did not do was he had confidence in Christ. His confidence was in Christ and not what he did.

Beware of the false circumcision. Those who put their faith in what they do instead of what Christ did for them.

Beware of evil workers. What did Paul mean? Beware of those who are trying to destroy you and your faith.

Beware of dogs! What did Paul mean by this? Those who devour you and take advantage of you.