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Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day Seven
conclusion

• Slowly read Philippians 4:1-20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
• Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change ask him for help with that as well.)
• Now read just verses 14–20. Read them slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

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 again and again when I was in need.

17. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

18. I have received full payment and even more; 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 his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

20. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

• Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Today I’m not providing the question, I think you’ve got the idea.
• Prayerfully read the verses again and ask yourself which verse or phrase hit you as something that you should apply to your own life and pray about?
• Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.
• And finally, if you were previously racing through your devotional Bible readings don’t go back. Continue to allow God to transform you with his Word.

Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day six

• Slowly read Philippians 4:1-20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
• Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change ask him for help with that as well.)
• Now read just verses 10 – 13.. Read them slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

10. I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been 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 everything through him who gives me strength.

• Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Here are some that you can start with.
• Do I show concern, care and appreciation for my Spiritual leaders?
• Am I learning to be content no matter what my circumstances? What does that look like?
• Am I content with what I have?
• Am I content with my life?
• Does that mean we should never want more or just that we should be content at every point because God is faithful?
• Prayerfully read the verses again and ask yourself which of the questions did you answer in a way that you made you realize that a change needs to happen?
• Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.

Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day five

• Slowly read Philippians 4:1-20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
• Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change ask him for help with that as well.)
• Now read just verse 9. Read it slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

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.

• Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Here are some that you can start with.
• Am I putting into practice the things that I’ve learned from my spiritual leaders and God’s Word in the past?
• Are there things that I’ve let slide?
• Are there things in my life that I’m doing and/or not doing that I’ve never changed but I know that I need to?
• Have I read Paul’s letters with the purpose of putting all that he says into practice?
• I can’t be perfect overnight, but do I have a peace from God that I’m actively seeking him and letting him change me in all areas that he’s encouraging and/or convicting me in?
• Do I have peace from God that I’m cooperating with him daily as he’s changing me?
• Prayerfully read the verse again and ask yourself which of the questions did you answer in a way that you made you realize that a change needs to happen?
• Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.

Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day four

• Slowly read Philippians 4:1-20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
• Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change ask him for help with that as well.)
• Now read just verse 8. Read it slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

8. Finally, brothers, 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.

• Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Here are some that you can start with.
• Does this verse tie in with yesterday’s two verses? How?
• Am I letting my mind run away on tangents that don’t fit this verse’s description of good thoughts?
• If God tells me to choose my thoughts carefully, then isn’t he also willing to help me do that?
• Do I need to chat with God about an area of my thoughts.
• What good thoughts (about the areas I’m struggling in) could I use to replace the other thoughts?
• Prayerfully read the verse again and ask yourself which of the questions did you answer in a way that you made you realize that a change needs to happen?
• Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.

Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day three

• Slowly read Philippians 4:1-20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
• Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change ask him for help with that as well.)
• Now read just verses 6 and 7. Read them slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.

• Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Here are some that you can start with.
• Am I worried or being anxious about things in my life right now?
• Have I talked to God about these things and am I trusting that he’s heard me and helping?
• Am I thanking God for all he does and specifically for taking care of these situations?
• Am I experiencing God’s peace? If not, what do I need to talk to him and start trusting him with so that I can?
• What does it mean to have God’s peace guard my heart and mind?
• Am I doing my part, outlined in the previous verse so that I can experience this?
• Is this something I need to do just once or every time the stress and worry hit me?
• Prayerfully read the verses again and ask yourself which of the questions did you answer in a way that you made you realize that a change needs to happen?
• Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.