Phil 3 says we should rejoice in the Lord, put no confidence in the flesh, and "press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me". Paul says there is nothing that compares to the "greatness of knowing Christ" and the "righteousness that comes from God". Remember that "we are citizens of heaven, where our Lord Jesus Christ lives" and He will one day "take our mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own". Be encouraged that though we will not reach perfection on earth, we will receive the "heavenly prize" for which God has called us. We can be glad that it's His race and we don't have to run by our own strength. Our confidence is in His promise that we will indeed "win the race".

Philipians 2 Paul instructs us to be like Christ , united in spirit and love, intent on one purpose. We are told not to be selfish, but to act with humility, being concerned more about others. "Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."

The book of Philipians explains that true joy comes only from Jesus. In chapter 1, Paul discusses the joy of suffering for Christ that comes with the privilege of believing on Him. Paul says in v.4 that his heart is full of joy for those who have labored and suffered along with him from the beginning and he is "confident that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus". Paul prays with affection and love for those who are his partners in the gospel, encouraging them to continue to speak the word of God courageously and fearlessly. Paul rejoices that they are preaching Christ and doing so with good motives. He says he will continue to rejoice through their prayers and the help of the Holy Spirit, for "to live is Christ and to die is gain". Suffering for God will be fruitful labor and will cause them to overflow in joy from Christ Jesus. He encourages them , saying " whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...in one spirit and as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you".
Let us have the same ambition as Paul, to live in eager expectation and hope that we will never do anything that causes shame, but will always be bold for Christ and that our lives and our service will always honor Christ.

Ephesians 6 (New International Version)

Ephesians 6

Children and Parents

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."[a] 4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Slaves and Masters

5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
23Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Ephesians 5 first gives some life instructions to all believers and then gives some more specific life instructions for wives and husbands. First, Paul says we all should live godly lives of thanksgiving, sacrifice, and love, doing whatever we can to please the Lord. We need to be careful how we live , always acting wisely and seeking to live in accordance with the Lord's will, being filled with the Spirit, continually encouraging and submitting to one another, and giving thanks to God for everything. Next, Paul specifically addresses wives and husbands. Wives are instructed to reverence their husband, be in subjection to him, respecting the husband's headship position over the wife. "Wives should submit to their husbands in everything". Paul then instructs husbands to be united with their wives, considering them with tremendous care and love, like as their own bodies, feeding , caring, washing them through the word to encourage them towards holiness, presenting them blameless before the Lord. Husbands are to love their wives sacrificially, "just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her".

Ephesians 4 is a call to live the life God has prepared for us --- that is to live a life "worthy of the calling" we have received. In this way, the body of Christ will be built up in unity of faith and mature in the knowledge of God and "attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ". As each part does its work, the whole body grows and builds up in love "into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ". We have been made new in the attitude of our minds and put on our new self, speaking the truth to our neighbors as members of one body. Paul says God gave a variety of gifts to us, some as teachers, some as evangelists, etc. to prepare us for works of service. Paul concludes by encouraging us to be kind and compassionate to one another, speaking only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.

In Ephesians 3, Paul explains God's "secret plan", which was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. The revealed mystery was that "the Gentiles would have an equal share with the Jews in all the riches inherited by God's children". Paul says this was His plan from all eternity, to show his wisdom in joining together the nations together in His church. All who have faith in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, can now come boldly before God, assured of His welcome. "By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope."