#3 – Philippians 4:8 Finally, Brothers and Sisters

On January 21, 2021 by Amy Burgin

Joy:
Episode#3 Philippians 4:8

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin

Amy:
This podcast is for those of us who long for God’s presence and holy direction in the midst of every day life. It’s also for you if you don’t really know who Jesus is. We make room for you to put aside what the world or religion has taught you so you might see for yourself.

Here, we create space for Christgazing, the act of gazing upon the beauty of the Lord. Each week we focus on one biblical passage as Joy reads it several times and creates stillness after each reading to consider what it is God wants us to know. In this, we make room for a living conversation with God under the great expectation that together, we will see him, hear his voice and know him more.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before Joy brings us today’s Word, take the next 30 seconds to pour out your heart to God, whether it be joy or sorrow, thanksgiving or heartache, worry or peace. Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next 30 seconds.

[Pause and pour out]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
I’m going to ready today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, “What does this passage say about God?” What is his heart, What does he want? What is he doing? What does he value?

Philippians 4:8 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.

Again? Philippians 4:8 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.

Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about God?”

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I read the scripture again, consider the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?” What do people think? What do people need?

Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?”

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?

Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me do today in response to this passage?” Remember, he is a good shepherd and he desires to lead and guide you to green pastures and living waters. God wants you to know him better. He is a good, gentle and kind shepherd. He never condemns or belittles but rather, he is the lifter of our heads.

Take a few moments to listen for his voice as you ask him, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May he cause his face to shine upon you and may you feel and see his shining face so that you find yourself thinking about him and who he is – true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

One Response

Amy:
A friend asked me, “What if I don’t hear anything in these moments of silence? What if nothing stands out? What if it’s only darkness? What should I do?”

I think of what Jesus said in Mark 4:26-29, This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether the farmer sleeps or gets up, the seed spouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.

Think about that. Whether the farmer who sows seeds sleeps or gets up, it’s God who makes the seed grow underground, in the dark, and in due time, it produces a harvest. And isn’t that lovely?

Closing

Amy:
We will be back next week and again, I leave you again with the amazing truth paraphrasing James Bryan Smith, When you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a very child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails and so do you.