Philippians 3 - "I consider them rubbish"

Paul had qualifications.  He had skills.  He was brilliant and born into a position of privilege.  But whatever was to his profit he considers loss.  He considers all the good things in his former life 'rubbish' as compared with the greatness of knowing Jesus and being His. 
It's reminiscent of the verse from chapter 1, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain".  There is nothing this world has to offer that can begin to compare with the "surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord".

Paul isn't perfect.  He explains that he has not yet obtained all this.  He has not yet been made perfect.  But he is pursuing one goal and one goal only.  He presses on "toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 2 -- Walk Humbly

"In humility consider others better than yourselves."  This attitude mirrors that of Christ Jesus, who was willing to make himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.  He did not demand fair treatment for himself.  He allowed himself to be abused for our sake.

Later in the chapter..."it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose".

God is in control, He is the One responsible for making things happen.  My job is to believe, trust, obey and cooperate with my effort.

We see Paul speaking joyfully about being poured out like a drink offering.  He is giving everything he has to see the Gospel advanced and he shares generously of all he has been given.  And he offers respect and esteem to men like Timothy and Epaprhoditus, men who serve selflessly alongside him.

Philippians 1 -- Joy From Prison

About a year after he wrote to the Ephesians, Paul composes another letter from his prison in Rome.  He begins chapter one with a tone of gratitude for his friends in Philippi and their "partnership in the gospel".  He encourages them with the idea that "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus".  It's good to know that even when we don't feel like we're not getting anywhere in life that God will never stop working to complete what He's begun in us.  That's really good to know.

The last portion of the chapter focuses on Paul's mission and the joy he experiences as a result.  He understands God's call on his life, and he rejoices in that call and in those who join him in his mission (regardless of their motivation, as seen in v. 15-18).

Paul writes about his readiness to die and be present with Jesus, and yet he knows there is more for him to do before he dies.  He is "torn between the two". (v. 23).  He tells us that "to live is Christ and to die is gain" (v. 21).

In the final few verses, he acknowledges opposition and speaks of the need for courage.  And he concludes with a reminder that he knows what he's talking about, as they are going through "the same struggle" that he's had, and that he still has.

Ephesians 6 - Armor of God

After finishing up his discussion of family life in verses 1-4 (with some important advice for dads in verse 4), and offering some words to employees and bosses (I've heard people talk about the master/slave language Paul uses, and how the world of slavery was different in that culture, but it still makes me squirm a little), Paul   paints an incredible picture of the spiritual battle that is going on all around us.

I've told many people that I'm no expert on spiritual warfare, but that I can read Ephesians 6 and understand that there's a whole lot happening that I can't begin to imagine.  And I can read how Paul encourages us to engage in that battle with weapons and armor made of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and God's Word.  After all, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (v. 12).