Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 14; Philippians 4
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 ESV
What do you fall asleep thinking about?
What is the first thing on your mind when you wake up?
Where does your mind dwell, abide, rest, live?
When you have a few quiet moments, where do your thoughts naturally run to?
Is it to things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy … Or is it to things that are anxious, rude, mean, cruel, crude, immoral, or irritable?
Dear sisters, we are caught in a battle, a battle between light and dark, good and evil, God and the devil. So much of that battle is fought in our minds and, sadly, that is where the battle is so often lost. Think about Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
If we want to win this battle, we have to think about what we’re thinking about, and forcibly take those rogue thoughts captive to obey Christ.
Ask yourself, “Is this true?” No? Get rid of it! “Is this pure and honorable?” No? Put it away! “Would I want to tell Jesus about these thoughts that I’m dwelling on?” No? Then, cast them away! They don’t belong in your head.
Heavenly Father, help me to think about what I’m thinking about. Help me to recognize the power that the thoughts in my head have over what I say and do and feel. Help me to remember that I am in a battle, and that You are victorious, that I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ, the King of kings. Help me to take every thought captive to obey Christ. Help me not to be anxious, but in everything to cast my cares upon You and know without a doubt that You care for me. Help me to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and in everything to give thanks, knowing that this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for me. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that I pray. Amen.
So many song choices for today! Check ’em all out and pick your favorite!
Whatever Things (Philippians 4:4-8 Bible Song) – Royal Generation
Think about Such Things – Philippians 4:8 – Truth Songs
Philippians 4:8-9 (Lyric Video) – The Corner Room
Philippians 4:8 Lyric Video – Songs from the Loop
Philippians 4:4-8 Bible Verses to Memorize for Kids with Actions – In the Gap Kids
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 13, Philippians 3
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:8b-11 ESV
Heavenly Father, I want knowing You to be my highest goal. Jesus, I want to know You. Intimately. Personally. I don’t want to just know about You, like I might know about some famous historical person. I want to truly know You, like I know my husband, my sister, my best friend. I want to know Your power and goodness. I want to trust You with my whole life, that I might walk by faith day by day. You’re my all; You’re the best; You’re my joy, my righteousness, and I love you, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord I pray. Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 12; Philippians 2
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
Philippians 2:19-22 ESV
When you read this did you notice how Timothy is concerned not for himself, but for others, and that this is why Paul says Timothy seeks not his own interests, but those of Jesus Christ?
Dear sisters, I’m again reminded that serving others IS serving Christ.
I can serve the Lord by serving my husband breakfast. I can serve the Lord by listening attentively to my children as they tell me about their day. I can serve the Lord by washing dirty dishes and dirty socks. I can serve the Lord by chatting with a stranger in Walmart.
Who is the Lord calling you to serve today? How can you glorify God by being concerned for someone else’s welfare today? I’d love to pray for you. Leave me a comment below.
Heavenly Father, help me to look to the needs of others rather than myself. Help me to love You by loving my neighbor. I want to serve You, so give me the strength to serve the people you’ve made. Give me a humble heart toward You, so I can have a humble heart toward the people around me. This is only possible by Your grace. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Loving God, Loving Each Other – Fountainview Academy
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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 11; Philippians 1-2
In Philippians 1, Paul expresses his desire for the Philippians to stand firm, having one spirit and one mind with him and with one another, striving side by side for the gospel, not being frightened of anything, because they trust that God is good and that He is on His sovereign throne. I don’t want us to lose this context as Paul moves into Philippians 2. Paul knows this side-by-side striving for the gospel in the face of fierce opposition will be hard. The Philippians will want to give up, so he writes,
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:1-11 ESV
By His Grace and In His Service, I, Kim, a fellow servant of Christ Jesus write to you.
Press on. Jesus is worth it. He’s worth it. Keep going. Do the next right thing.
Whether you can see me or not, I’m right here beside you. We are marching lockstep together, in the Lord’s army together, following the same Master, the Master who became the servant, even to death, death on a cross. Each of us are links of a chain, linked together in the bonds of the Spirit, for the sake of the gospel. We need each other. And we can stand firm by the power of God at work in us. For the sake of all those lost souls and for the sake of the Name of our Savior and Lord, press on.
Heavenly Father, give us the strength and the desire to press on. Let us not grow weary of well-doing, because we trust that in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not lose heart. I thank You for the brothers and sisters that You have given to me, my fellow soldiers, the fellow members of Your body that are marching with me. Help each of us to be willing to humble ourselves for the sake of the kingdom. We love You, Lord. You are worthy of all the praise and glory and honor. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord we pray. Amen.
Battle Hymn of the Republic (with Lyrics) – Gaither Music TV
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 10; Philippians 1
“To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21 ESV
To live is Christ. To die is gain.
The world shouts, “Pursue riches. Pursue fame. Pursue power and beauty and praise. Take it easy. Enjoy life. You do you. Do what makes you happy. YOLO.”
But the Lord cries, “Pursue what makes for peace and building others up. (Romans 14:19) Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11) Work hard. Enjoy Me. Be conformed to My likeness. Do what makes Me happy. YOLO.”
Whose voice am I listening to?
Oh, Heavenly Father, I only live once. It has been appointed for me to one day die and to stand before Your throne. Teach me to number my days that I might have a heart of wisdom. Give me the humility I need to count others more significant than myself, to look out for the interests of others. Make my faith firm and unwavering, that I can utter these words with complete conviction, “To live is Christ. To die is gain.” In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain, the One who is Worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. Amen.
See: Hebrews 9:27, Psalm 90:12, Revelation 5:12
My Worth is Not in What I Own (with Chinese subtitles) – Keith and Kristyn Getty
What does Paul mean by “To Live is Christ but to Die is Gain?” – Drive Thru History
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 9, Philippians 1
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:1-11 ESV
I love Paul’s humility as he opens this letter. “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ” — not “Paul, the one chosen by God to spread the gospel throughout the world, and Timothy my little brother,” nor “Paul, a servant of Christ, and Timothy, my disciple.”
Then, I noticed Paul’s subtle encouragement for humility on the part of his readers as well. Paul is writing this letter to all the saints in Philippi along with the overseers and deacons. He isn’t writing to the overseers and deacons and then telling them, “Hey, share this info with those other saints among you.”
When Paul says in verse 3, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” expressing his gratitude that they have been partners in the gospel – in receiving the gospel and in sharing the gospel – he’s not just writing (or even primarily writing) to the elders, deacons, evangelists, and pastors. He’s writing to each and every believer in the body of Christ at Philippi. Each one of them are his partner because each of them (each of us) are partakers with Paul of God’s grace (verse 7). Paul wants each one of them to know how much he loves them, and how much he wants them to abound with more and more love, knowledge, and discernment.
My dear friends, my sisters, my fellow servants of Jesus Christ, I echo Paul’s words. I want you to know all this, too! Whether you’re a 95-year-old great grandmother who has been studying the Bible verse by verse since you were “knee high to a grasshopper,” or you are a brand new believer reading Philippians for the first time, I am thankful for your partnership in the gospel. I want you to know the Word better … so that you will know God better … so that you will love Him more and glorify Him better. I want you to have deeper knowledge of the Lord so that you may accurately discern what is excellent and what is evil, so that your heart and your life may be pure when you meet Jesus face-to-face and so that the watching world will see your good works and be drawn to give glory and praise to God.
I love how each of Paul’s words seem to pour into the next, like a stream rolling over a series of rocks until finally being deposited into the deep, wide, quiet lake of the glory and praise to God.
I want you to know how much I love you, how thankful I am for you, how often I pray for you,
that you would love God more,
that you would know Him more,
that you would be able to easily recognize what is good and what is not,
that you may be pure and blameless, full of righteous fruits … to the glory and praise of God.
That’s the end goal. The end goal isn’t about you, your happiness and holiness, your comfort and peace. The end goal is that God would be praise and glorified. And the irony in that is that your joy is ultimately found in bringing God glory. I am never happier than when I am in the fellowship of other believers, worshipping the Lord together in song and prayer and Bible study.
I wonder – Do you have any sisters and brothers who are your partners in the gospel? If so, have you told them how much they mean to you? If not, let me encourage you to find them … now. Find a local body of believers. Join a small group of women (or men) who pray for each other. Study the Bible with a few other sisters.
If you’re not familiar with Community Bible Study, check into them. They have groups all over the world. If you’re in the Memphis area, I invite you to join the Collierville, Tennessee group. We meet in person on Wednesday mornings or online on Thursday evenings.
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for each faithful partner in the gospel that You have put into my life. Some of them live just minutes away from me, while others live on the other side of the world. Thank You for each one of them, from the newest believer to the most seasoned saint. I pray that their love will abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment, that they may approve what is excellent and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory of praise of Your Name! In the Blessed and Holy Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
“Christus Victor (Amen)” – Keith & Kristyn Getty
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Read through the Bible in a Year: Proverbs 8; Philippians 1-4
As our children grow and even start families of their own, our role as prayer warrior grows, too!
Do you have children? Grandchildren? Make it your ambition and joy to pray for them.
Heavenly Father, I lift my family before You. Bless them with Your grace and peace. Make us partners in sharing the gospel. Begin – and complete – Your good work in them. May their love abound more and more day by day, with all knowledge and discernment, that they may know what is excellent and true, and so be found pure and blameless when Christ returns. I pray that they will be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of Your name.
I pray that they will have confidence and boldness to share the truth of the gospel without fear. May the manner of their lives be worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether we are together or apart, help us to stand firm in one spirit, having one mind, that we might strive mightily and fearlessly side by side, spreading the good news of salvation by faith wherever we go.
I pray that each member of my family would be humble in heart and mind, free from selfish ambition or conceit, looking out not only for their own interests, but also for the interests of others, counting others more significant than themselves. Make them into the image of Christ who humbled Himself from the beginning to the end of His life.
May they do all things without grumbling or complaining, children of God without blemish, shining brightly in the midst of a dark, twisted world, holding fast to the Word of Life.
I pray that they would rejoice in the Lord in all things, forgetting the things that lie in their past, and pressing on toward Jesus Christ, their greatest treasure and prize. Keep their lives from anxiety, worry, and fear. May they be filled with gratitude, praying always and about everything, that Your perfect peace will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
I pray that their lives would be kept free from idolatry, that their minds would be fixed on eternal matters and that they would remember that their citizenship is in heaven. Help them to be discerning and to think about what they’re thinking about. Teach them that great secret of contentment, so that they can be joyful in plenty or in want, for they trust that they can do whatever You’ve called them to do through Jesus Christ who gives them strength. Supply their every physical and spiritual need according to Your immeasurable riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Finally, Father, I pray that I might be a godly example for them, that they might put into practice what they have learned and heard and seen in my own life. Make my life a fragrant offering, a living sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to You. You are worthy.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and our Lord, I pray. Amen.
Philippians Chapter 1 – IC The Garden
Philippians 4 – Celebrate God – Project of Love
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 7; Philippians 1-4
This is the first short book of the Bible in my “Read through the Bible in 2 Years” plan. I suggest that you first read the entire book in one sitting as though you’d just received a letter from a friend you haven’t seen in years. Then, each day of this week, really meditate on just a little bit at a time.
Have you ever tried memorizing a whole book of the Bible? I haven’t. I’ve memorized several chapters, such as Psalm 139 and 1 Corinthians 13, but never a whole book. Philippians would be a great book to memorize from beginning to end. I’ve already memorized most of chapters 2 and 4 along with a smattering of other verses from this book. Maybe I should try memorizing the whole thing! Here are some great reasons why and tips to memorize an entire book of the bible.
One great way to work toward memorizing is to record yourself reading, then listen to it while you’re walking. So, I recorded the whole book myself. You’re welcome to listen to me – or try it yourself! By the way, I use the ESV translation if you’d like to read along.
Philippians 1-4 ESV
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Philippians 4:2-23
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 ESV
What do you fall asleep thinking about?
What is first on your mind when you wake up?
Where does your mind dwell?
When you have a few quiet moments, where do your thoughts naturally run to?
Is it to things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy?
Or is it to things that are anxious, rude, mean, cruel, crude, immoral, and irritable?
Dear sisters, we are caught in a battle, a battle between light and dark, good and evil, God and the devil. So much of that battle is fought in our minds and, sadly, that is where the battle is so often lost. Think about Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
If we want to win this battle, we have to think about what we’re thinking about, and forcibly take those rogue thoughts captive to obey Christ.
Ask yourself, “Is this true?” No? Get rid of it! “Is this pure and honorable?” No? Put it away! “Would I want to tell Jesus about these thoughts that I’m dwelling on?” No? Then, cast them away! They don’t belong in your head.
Heavenly Father, help me to think about what I’m thinking about. Help me to recognize the power that the thoughts in my head have over what I say and do and feel. Help me to remember that I am in a battle, and that You are victorious, that I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ, the King of kings. Help me to take every thought captive to obey Christ. Help me not to be anxious, but in everything to cast my cares upon You and know without a doubt that You care for me. Help me to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and in everything to give thanks, knowing that this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for me. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that I pray. Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Philippians 3:12-4:1
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
Philippians 3:12-15 ESV
True maturity will produce humility. The stronger I grow in my faith, the more easily I see my flaws, shortcomings, and imperfections. Thankfully, the stronger I grow in my faith, the greater my desire to press on, remembering that my citizenship is in heaven.
Sisters, stand firm in the Lord. Press on. You’re on a journey, but you’re not alone. Jesus is with you, and so am I. We’re on this journey together. Don’t let your belly be your god. Don’t set your mind on things of this earth. Rather, strain forward to what lies ahead, what is eternal, what is sure. One day God will transform our lowly, broken bodies to be like His glorious body. I can’t wait. Remember, to live is Christ, to die is gain.
Heavenly Father, please give me the strength to press on. I can’t do it on my own. I need You. Help me day by day to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what is ahead, to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let me not set my mind on the desires of my flesh, but on eternity with You in heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Teach What is Good 
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