praying effectively: Rejoice in the Lord (Phil.3:1-21)

(Philippians 3:1-21)  Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. 

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we are wary of people promoting false doctrines and empty religions (3:2)

- that we do not rely on our own strength and efforts (3:3)

- that we completely rely on the Lord (3:3)

- that we realize our righteousness is found only through faith in Christ (3:9)

- that we press on, realizing that we are not perfect yet, we should forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead (3:12-15)

- that we should ask God to reveal to us any attitude which is not positively moving us forward towards living out Christ's righteousness (3:15)

- that we continue to live by the same standard which we have received (3:16)

- that we observe and follow those who are living obediently in God's will (3:17)

- that we rejoice in the Lord (3:1)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being our righteousness, which begins right at the moment we put our faith in You.  Thank You for Your saving grace, so that we do not have to worry about being perfect!  Help us to seek after Your perfection, not because we have to, but because we want to live out Your will in confidence and steadfastness.

Protect us from false teachings.  And protect us from our own self-defeating attitudes.  Surround us with godly people who will mentor and encourage us.  Guide us in knowing and understanding Your truth and Your will.  Help us to rejoice in You always, to bring You praise and glory!  Amen.