I Believe What I Believe
Lesson 49
Joy - An Attitude For My Life

"Paul An Example of a Winning Attitude"
Philippians

Paul is a great example of a man who endured a lot of hard times and still maintained a great attitude even until he was executed in a Roman prison.
He had four secrets contained in the book of Philippians for us to grow from:

1. He had a single mind dedicated to Christ. (1:21)
A. This allowed him joy inspite of circumstances.
B. Paul realized that all that matters is Christ and that He alone deserves our attention.
C. This attitude allows us to make it when the world crumbles around us because Christ will never crumble.
"to me the only important thing about living is Christ,, and dying would be a profit for me."
2. He had a submitted mind dedicated to serving other people. (2:3)
A. This allowed him joy inspite of people.
B. Paul realized people could only effect his attitude if he let them.
C. This attitudes allows us not to worry about other people but instead serve them.
"When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves."
3. He had a spiritual mind dedicated to God's service. (3:19-20)
A. This allowed him joy inspite of things.
B. Paul realized things are only temporary while our attitude is eternal.
C. This attitude allows us not to give our lives to things but to God.
"In the end, they will be destroyed. They do whatever their bodies want, they are proud of their shameful acts, they think about earthly things. But our homeland
is in heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come f from heaven."
4. He had a secure mind dedicated to God's care. (4:6-7)
A. This allowed him joy inspite of worry.
B. Paul realized God controlled his life and that He would take care of him.
C. This attitude allows us not to worry about what is not ours to worry about.
"Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God's peace which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

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