Pray: "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."

1. 1

   What do you learn about God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) from this chapter? His thoughts, ways, or actions toward us, as His creation? How can you respond to God in prayer and praise?

2. 2

   As Paul closes his letter to the Philippians, he encourages them to stand firm in the Lord. In verses 1-3, what challenge does he specifically address? Ponder: At the end of chapter 3, Paul encouraged the readers to set their minds on heavenly things and not earthly. When we quarrel, isn't it mostly about earthly things? Paul reminds these ladies that they are and have been laboring side by side in the gospel. Maybe they needed to put aside their petty differences and focus on what was most important: the gospel. How are your relationships? Any petty differences that need to be set aside for the sake of the most important thing? Anyone you need to talk to and forgive, or seek forgiveness? How does this lead you to pray?

3. 3

   In verses 4-9, what are we to rejoice in? What can we be anxious about? Why do we not have to be anxious? According to verse 6, what are the 3 things we are to do when anxious? According to verse 7, what will be the result? In verse 8, where should our focus be? In verse 9, what are we to practice, and what will be the result? Ponder: I call this section the antidote to anxiety! When we are anxious, our thoughts are focused on ourselves and all the "what ifs" we have running around in our minds. Every anxious feeling can be traced back to a "what if" thought. These verses call us to change the location of our thoughts from ourselves to the God of all! When we feel anxious, we are to take every anxious thought to the God of all: a) Pray! Remind yourself who God is: He is the God of creation, sovereign, good, loves you unconditionally — He sees your situation and is right there with you. b) Supplication (request): tell Him your anxious thoughts, but keep in mind who He is. c) Thanks: thank Him for who He is and how He is with you always. d) Verse 8 tells us to stop focusing on what is causing us anxiety and focus on the things of God. e) Verse 9 says this is not a one-time thing, but a practice of life; and when we do, the peace of God guards our hearts and minds. How does this lead you to pray?

4. 4

   According to verses 10-13, how does Paul handle every circumstance of life: the good and the bad?

5. 5

   According to verses 14-20, who supplies all our needs? Who does God sometimes use to supply these needs? Ponder: if we were to really believe this truth, how would it impact our anxiety over our unmet needs?

6. 6

   Verses 21-23 seem insignificant and just a closing greeting, but there is a wonderful nugget we don't want to miss! In chapter 1, verse 13, Paul alluded to the fact that the "whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ." Now at the close of the letter, he writes in verse 22, "especially those in Caesar's household." I can just hear the gasp and cheers coming from the readers as they realize Paul's imprisonment has led to those in Caesar's household coming to know the Lord! They can imprison Paul, but they cannot stop him from sharing the gospel. Ponder: How does this inspire you to share your faith with those around you?