The primary goal of these exercises is to teach healthy spiritual habits that will last you a lifetime. There are four basic components:
MEMORIZE:Verses to recall throughout the day reminding you of God's promises.
DEVOTIONAL:Watch or listen to a devotion to help you digest God's truths in new ways.
STUDY METHOD:Meditate on a passage until the Holy Spirit shows you how to apply it.
READING:Read scripture to know God better and to hear him speak to you through his word.
To get started, simply select the session and day that coincides with your workbook by using the numbers below.
– MEMORY VERSE –
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Colossians 3:16a (NIV)
– PRONOUNCE IT! –
Refer to Session 1, page 4 in your workbook for instructions on this method of Bible meditation.
. . . I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Philippians 3:12b (NIV)
– SCRIPTURE READING –
Philippians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the Christians of Philippi. This is a letter filled with joy and love, even though Paul wrote this from a prison cell while being persecuted by the Romans. Paul’s joy does not come from money or circumstances; his joy comes from loving Christ. Read Philippians 1-4 (NIV).
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deaconst:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER
3 I thank my God every time I remember you.4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
PAUL’S CHAINS ADVANCE THE GOSPEL
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,t that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guardtand to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.t20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,t striving together as one for the faith of the gospel28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
IMITATING CHRIST’S HUMILITY
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.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 naturet 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 naturet 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!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
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.
DO EVERYTHING WITHOUT GRUMBLING
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 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.”t Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
TIMOTHY AND EPAPHRODITUS
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH
1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.8 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 intChrist—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
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.
FOLLOWING PAUL’S EXAMPLE
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.20 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.
CLOSING APPEAL FOR STEADFASTNESS AND UNITY
1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
FINAL EXHORTATIONS
4 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.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
THANKS FOR THEIR GIFTS
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
FINAL GREETINGS
21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings.22 All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.t
1 Comment
Comments
Posted by Cindi
1/25/2012 9:52:00 PM Christine, I so related to your comment; this 10 minute video gently pulled my ears back and refreshed some parched places in soul. Clearly, my eternal Companion and Shepherd extraordinaire reminded me of the beauty of abiding in Him.Thank you, John Ortberg.
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Posted by TravisA
1/25/2012 11:51:00 PM Great message. I will learn to be God conscious just like Jesus was God conscious. I will be more aware that God sees and hears everything I do and say. Not only my words of prayer. Powerful word. Thanks Rick for the opportunity.
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Posted by Debbie H
1/26/2012 9:18:00 AM I have tossed out my alarm clock…I now have a “Great New Day Clock”.
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Posted by Sarah Andros
1/26/2012 9:34:00 AM I love hearing Pastor John speak about the goal of prayer. The goal being to learn to say every word in joyous consciousness of God’s presence so that we may always abide with The Father.
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Posted by Shar
1/26/2012 10:02:00 AM Perfect, perfect timing to continue into our 40DITW with reminder of proper perspective towards prayer in deeping our relationships to (i.e. relating WITH) God. Thanks, Pastor John! And “hi” to the SF Bay Area! =)
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Posted by Ed Stinnette
1/27/2012 4:40:00 AM Great devotion. Thanks Pastor John for once again reminding us of how important it is to begin each day in His name.
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Posted by Irene
1/27/2012 8:49:00 AM Prayer can often be such a daunting word until we are reminded that it is more about letting God walk with us throughout the day and share everything with Him than to worry about saying the most eloquent prayer. Feel His presence!
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Posted by Linda
1/27/2012 3:50:00 PM Thank you for taking this apart.This is wonderful to meditate on,especially in the days we now live.
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Posted by Lorna
1/28/2012 5:53:00 AM Amazingly clear and true! Lord please help us to abide in your words and let them abide in us.
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Posted by Charlie
1/28/2012 7:38:00 AM Pastor John’s message will change the way I greet each morning. I will thank God for Jesus being along side me in every thought, word and action.
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Posted by Melinda
1/30/2012 12:49:00 AM God is Omnipresence. Lord, help us to remember we are in the presence of our Lord and Savior! Let every word from our mouths be pleasing to God. Amen.
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Posted by Steve
2/2/2012 4:42:00 AM Very rich and helpful in understanding, not only the importance of remaining in Christ, but how that affects our prayer life. Thank you Pastor John.
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Posted by Brenda
2/2/2012 5:10:00 AM I am so thankful to be reminded that in Christ I have a constant companion every minute of everyday who not only hears my words but also my thoughts. Today I am going to start Acknowledging Him but talking more to God than to myself (which I seem to do alot!) Knowing that God is listening and has the answers to all my little problems throughout the day will certainly change the way I feel about my life, job, etc. Thank you Pastor John for this message!
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Posted by Joan
2/7/2012 12:44:00 PM This will definitely make a change in my life. There are many t.v. shows that I watch that Jesus wouldn’t enjoy. hummmm.
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Posted by Elri van Dijk
2/8/2012 12:41:00 PM Powerfull!!! Thank you!!!
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Posted by Susan
2/9/2012 4:55:00 AM I so enjoyed the message. God is always there, always listening. I can’t praise him enough throughout the day, and will even do so more now. Powerful message. Thank You!!!!
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Posted by Pastor James
2/9/2012 5:00:00 AM Sobering! Thank You
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Posted by Lee Brewer
2/9/2012 1:42:00 PM The most daunting comment was the zero gap between my speech, my thoughts and my connection with God. Oh my!
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Posted by Evelyn
2/17/2012 12:47:00 AM Thank you Pastor John. How timely; just the gentle rebuke I needed. During my family’s evening prayer time, I always felt that if we didn’t say alot, we weren’t being very thankful; I’ve learned from your devotional that it’s not quality, but quantity. God Bless You!
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Posted by Gigi
2/19/2012 3:55:00 AM What a powerful message – God offers us so much that we never see – by not truly abiding with Him and His word – we missing out on the greatest experience in this world.
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Posted by jim
2/29/2012 11:20:00 PM We love the fist part but our responsibility is so important! wow!how convicting.
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Posted by Christina
3/11/2012 7:50:00 PM I forget that he knows my needs,and my worries. I also forget that he is walking with me every step of the way.He has made me very aware i was not aware.
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Posted by Joan
4/25/2012 4:49:00 AM Thank you Pastor John, you really open up that verse for me. I have always like it. Now I can use it every day all day, aware he is with me knowing every word every thought I have and every step I take.
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Posted by Jill
4/26/2012 4:30:00 AM Great message! Thank you for these fundamentals that are so often forgotten.
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Posted by Marlene
4/26/2012 5:34:00 PM Powerful teaching. Thank you Pastor John. May our lives become a symphony of prayer.
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Posted by Susan
6/14/2012 5:20:00 PM What a great message! It’s so comforting to think of Jesus there every morning ready to he our Good Shepard. What a goal it is to think of being in constant conversation with God and always acknowledging his presence.
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Posted by Freddy Wee
5/4/2013 3:02:00 AM ‘abide in Me and My words abide in you’ was never clearer before today – abide, it’s present tense, it’s to remain, it’s ongoing, doing things in our waking lives in His presence, talking, doing, all with God in our lives. Awesome message – thanks Pastor John. Praise be to God for the lives that are transforming in this 40DITW.
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Posted by Wayne Widdowson
2/21/2014 1:46:00 PM A good message to start the day with. Thanks Pastor John.
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Posted by Laura K
10/13/2014 6:26:00 PM I sometimes forget that the true power I posses is in my relationship with the God of the Universe. I forget that He is with me in every thought and deed. It is my greatest desire to have a Jesus kind of relationship with my Heavenly Father.
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Posted by sheila
2/5/2015 10:02:00 AM Great devotion for today just a reminder god is with me always and I must remain in him having a constant conversation with him
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Posted by Gillian
2/22/2015 6:25:00 AM This is powerful teaching. On day 1 the Holy Spirit fell on me
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Posted by Chibamba
4/12/2015 4:49:00 AM It’s profound teaching. Two way relationship through which our prayers get answered. I abide in Him, He abides in me by retaining His Word. Are we daily aware of Jesus’ presence 24/7.
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Posted by Loretta Goff
1/13/2016 11:27:00 AM I move toward the mark set for me in Christ and want to do/act/believe those things He want for me!
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Pastor John Ortberg’s message is so very relevant to our lives. Keeping God right with me, with every word I say puts a huge responsibility on me. Yes, He does hear every word I say. Thank-You, Pastor John Ortberg for explaining John 15:7 so clearly.