Dealing with Negativity

Dennis McCallum
Philippians 4:8

Paul is countering an existing bias humans have toward negativity. Fallen humans don't see reality accurately. They shift reality toward the negative. Some of the ways to deal with negativity are to acknowledge the negatives but also focus on the positives, get into the Word, and remember your history with God. Victory over negativity will light up your life, but it may need to re-won periodically.

Final Calls

Dennis McCallum
Philippians 4:1-7

As Paul begins to wrap up his letter to the Philippians, he gives a final call to live in harmony in the Lord and to rejoice always in the Lord. He exhorts them to pray with thanksgiving to God who guards their hearts and minds with a peace that is beyond comprehension. Like the Philippians, we have a choice between trying to generate peace by our own efforts or we can accept the immeasurable peace God offers.

Joy and Peace

Jim Leffel
Philippians 4:4-9

To have the peace of God, we have to have peace with God. The real problem is not our there but within. It is our alienation from God because of sin. Once we are reconciled to Him, then we have peace with God, and can then experience the peace of God. The quality of our inner life is substantially determined by the quality of the object of our affection. When we delight or rejoice in Him, give Him thanks, then it begins to shape who we are. Our passions then align with God's passions and the result is peace.

Religious Theater or Heartfelt Devotion

Ryan Lowery
Matthew 6:1-13

In this passage Jesus addresses people who have substituted heartfelt devotion to God with religious "theater." He calls on people to not act out of a desire to impress God or others, but to act out of a true appreciation of all God has done for them. One of the clearest ways this expresses itself is how we give financially--do we do it for recognition and influence or to gratefully share as God instructs? He also applies this to prayer.

Flourishing Spiritually in Old Age

Gary DeLashmutt
Psalms 71

Psalms 92 and 71 gives us ways to flourish spiritually as we approach our latter days. This time does not have to be a time of withdrawing and walking away from usefulness to God. Instead, it can be a time of great effectiveness in ministry and deepening closeness with the Lord as our physical and mental fitness is not what it used to be. We can actually be more effective as we depend more on the Lord than ever before.

Fellowship of the Gospel

Chris Hearty
Philippians 1:3-11

The spiritual life is a work of God from beginning to end. Genuine biblical fellowship engages not only the heart toward others but the mind in knowledge and discernment as well. It involves active participation in both vertical and horizontal relationships.

When God Intervenes

Mike Sullivan
Revelation 8:1-9:21

In Chapters 8 and 9, God is ready to act upon the prayers of the martyrs to unleash judgment on the rebellious world that caused their death. During the Great Tribulation, people will not repent of their evil ways but will reject God's moral leadership, thinking that they will occupy the seat of power instead of God. They are unaware that to not worship God is to worship Satan. They will bear the consequences of that decision to reject God's authority.

Three Ways to Grow When You Can't Leave the House

James Rochford
Philippians 1:1-11

Paul, the greatest Christian leader in the history of the world, did not let being imprisoned in Rome make him become angry, bitter or depressed. Instead, he took it as an opportunity to grow in appreciation for people, to grow in his attitude toward God and to grow in his ability to pray.

Biblical Provisions for Handling Anxiety

Ben Foust
Philippians 4:4-9

The Bible acknowledges that anxiety is a part of the human experience. It also does not condemn all forms of anxiety. It is good to have concern or care for others. Pride and trying to control things that cannot be controlled drives much of our anxiety. The Bible does offer provisions for combatting the undesirable forms of anxiety. We cannot choose our circumstances or our feelings, but we can choose our attitude about them. We can humbly acknowledge God's sovereignty and prayerfully tell God about our fears, give thanks for his promises, and ask for what we need.