Abide Class Two - Philippians 2:1-11 - 11

This week we are offering the Abide Class Session 2. This is an online version of the Bible Study class we offer at Rise Up for the discipleship program but if you can attend one in person you will get so much more!

Jo Beth Ellis, Olivia Frazier, and Charity DeGonia sit down with Kim this week and lead you through this episode.

Chapters

• 0:09 Abide Class
• 9:42 Embracing the Jesus Way
• 18:30 Confession and Declaration
• 33:18 Speaking Life
• 42:33 Prayer for Humility and Blessings

Transcript

Kim Mcintire: 0:09

Hey everyone, welcome to the it's Time to Rise Up podcast. I'm your host, kim McIntyre. We know there are so many things you could be doing with your time, so thank you for choosing to spend your time with us today. We pray you are encouraged by what is shared. If you're not familiar with our show, please check out our website at itstimetoriseuporg, where you'll find our social media links and for our podcast platforms, you'll find us on YouTube, apple Podcasts and Spotify, and anywhere else you find your podcast. We would humbly ask you to subscribe, follow, leave a comment, a thumbs up or, even better, a five-star review on Apple Podcast. Thank you again for joining us today.

Kim Mcintire: 0:50

We are going to jump right into this episode. Today's episode is Abide Class 2, and I want to welcome into the studio some guests that have been here before Charity Degonia, olivia Frazier and Jo Beth Ellis. These three ladies are lead teachers for the Abide class. All of them have classes at capacity. We're super excited about this and, just as a reminder, abide is the discipleship piece of the Rise Up Conference, and so we are excited to be able to offer this to people who don't live locally to Joplin, missouri, and can't be in person at a class.

Kim Mcintire: 1:30

So we're going to jump in to some review from last time we were in Colossians, chapter three, and the last time we were here we introduced a couple of keywords. One was no, but it's the no for your heart, not just your mind, lord, what do you want me to know? And as we read chapter three of Colossians, we were asking ourselves that question and really responding to the Holy Spirit. And the second key word was obey, lord. What are you calling me to obey in the passage?

Kim Mcintire: 2:05

And so what we're going to do now, you guys have taken the class and you have read through and responded using the keywords through Colossians 3. And so hopefully, if you're listening today, you have already heard class one which would have aired a couple of weeks ago, and hopefully you jumped into Colossians 3 with a notebook and a pen ready to answer those two keywords, or two questions from the two keywords know and obey. So what we're going to do now is we're just going to share our thoughts from what we gleaned, really, from chapter three of Colossians. And, ladies, anyone who wants to lead out, feel free to just lead out now and share what the Lord wants you to know or what the Lord would like for you to obey who wants to start.

Charity DeGonia: 2:58

I'll start Okay, just because I feel like when we started this at the very beginning, I felt like it was a list of rules. It really was, and that's how I was still looking at the Bible at the time when I first started this and, sorry, it has truly become a call to holiness and when we look at a call to holiness and our relationship with Him, it's not a do and don't rule list.

Charity DeGonia: 3:26

You know, it's not a rule book. He's saying here are the boundaries for your life to follow me. And I love that relationship, that when we have that with him, it's such a tenderness, it's a sweetness of hey, remember when you did those things, we're going to go away from those and you're going to robe, and I love you know there's different versions, but it's like put it on, and this is such an action word that God says, hey, you have to actively put these things on. And that's what he wanted me to know. Like, truly, like every time I go through this it's a little bit more, but the first thing he said was don't, don't look this, this isn't our rule list on the wall. This is how you live for me.

Kim Mcintire: 4:11

Yeah, yeah, and that are you. Are you specifically referencing the verse 12? Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I'm assuming that's the point.

Charity DeGonia: 4:28

Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't get more specific.

Kim Mcintire: 4:30

No, that's okay, yeah, but I think it's important to understand that that's cooperating with the Lord. Right, we can't really do it on our own, but we can invite the Holy Spirit to do that work in us and through us. And it's definitely a putting on, it's an action word Clothe yourself, you got to do something right, put it on. Put it on Good words, anyone else on?

Jo Beth Ellis: 5:10

Is there a specific verse or thought you want to share? I will share. When I was reading through this again, the word that stuck out to me was above. I really landed on above and in my simple thinking, I wanted to know what the actual definition of above was. I mean, you think higher, you know whatever, but it's a higher level. But it's also an extended space over and not touching. And when I saw that not touching, I thought, okay, wait a minute.

Jo Beth Ellis: 5:37

Because when, as a believer, when we sin, heaven and earth are colliding, they are touching Because the Holy Spirit is convicting us. So in the above, of course, it's the Word, it's the light, it's His glory, it's the Creator, it's Jesus, it's love, it's joy, it's peace. But below is the sexual immorality, the hatred, the selfishness, the impurity, the evil desires, the covetousness, the sin. So God, in His goodness and grace, is above all of that Right. And when we, as believers, strive for that, we are above that. We are to live above that. We are to live holy and righteous. We are to live above that, we are to live holy and righteous. So when I saw the above, I'm thinking I need to live that way. I need to live above reproach.

Kim Mcintire: 6:34

I need to live as God has called me to live, and that goes back to the call of holiness, that Charity referenced at the very beginning. It's a different way of living and it doesn't look like the world. That's right. It is a different walk, it's a different talk and it's not because of legalism or rules, it's not because I have to, it's because I want to. I actually want to live different. Why? Because the Holy Spirit's speaking to me and challenging me and convicting me to live at a different level. Very good, okay, anyone else? Before we move to the obey word, Well, I'll share.

Olivia Frazier: 7:14

The part that really stood out to me was I have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge. So that brought me back to you know, he's renewing my mind to be more like him. That's good, but not only that. He is taking what I've known before and he's putting himself into the narrative. That's good. So what I knew before was anxiety. What I knew before was panic attacks. What I knew before was the selfishness, hatred. You know everything, but he's putting himself into each of those things, saying, no, you don't have to do that. No, you don't have to be afraid because I am God.

Charity DeGonia: 7:54

I am here.

Olivia Frazier: 7:56

No, you don't have to be angry, because I've taken everything that you need. I've done it all before. That's so good. So, yeah, that part kind of just stood out to me.

Kim Mcintire: 8:06

Oh, that's so good, all right, thank you guys, so good. So, keyword obey. What does God call us to obey in this passage? Because, wow, there was a lot in this chapter, wasn't there? So much, oh, my goodness, so much. I will tell you what mine was.

Kim Mcintire: 8:28

And, whatever you do, verse 17,. I'm actually going to read it. Whatever you do, that's a lot, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God, the Father, through Him. That's layers. So, basically, whatever I'm doing, wherever I'm going, whether I'm talking or I'm doing an action or reaction, this should all be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, which means it should honor Him, and also with a thankful attitude. I'm like, oh, wow, lord, help me, obey, that's my. It's just the flashing light in that chapter, not that there weren't other things, but that was just the one verse where I felt like, you know, that attitude of gratefulness, no matter what, no matter where I'm going or what I'm doing or what the situation is, do it in me, lord, because His Holy Spirit can, because he never asks us to do something. That's impossible without Him. He knows if we're asking Him and leaning in and believing he will do it, and that's the process of sanctification. Anyone else on the obey word?

Charity DeGonia: 9:42

Actually 16 and 17 really stuck out to me because there is so much to obey in that, but, like what you're talking about, um, everything we're doing. So god told me that I have to abide in him and that's part of obedience, because when we, when I abide, abide, my heart goes to overflowing right, and so then that teaching and encourages others, and so it's a flooding right. Our abiding is the Holy Spirit pouring into us and then it floods us and then, if you think about a flood, it's going to spill in to others and so I have to spill out Holy Spirit only. And so God just said you know all the wisdom that comes from living in Christ and all of my words and everything, like you're talking about all of my practices, which goes to earlier in this chapter. He was saying the practices we put on and off and my attitudes have to be drenched with only my Heavenly Father.

Kim Mcintire: 10:37

That's so good. That's so good. All right. Do we have other thoughts on Obey before we move on? We got a lot to cover today. Any other thoughts? Are we ready?

Olivia Frazier: 10:47

Yeah, I mean, I can share something before we move on, all right, let's do that. Mine's just over the whole process of it, of the sanctification process, how it's not easy but it's so worth it, amen. It's not easy but it's so worth it, and it's not something you have to do by yourself, because God is in every part of it and he's helping you to move through every part of it. That is something the Lord just kept going over and over on me. You don't have to do it by yourself, I'm here.

Kim Mcintire: 11:17

Just let me do it right. I feel like that's what he's saying, yes, okay. So that really kind of wraps up the discussion on Colossians 3 before we jump into lesson two. And lesson two is taken from Philippians, chapter two, and this lesson is really a call to humility, and we're going to enter in with a worship song before we start lesson two and we're going to just really listen to this song, the Jesus Way, and prepare our hearts and posture our hearts as we listen to this lyric, and then we will read Philippians 2 and talk about two more keywords that we want to use as we approach God's Word. Okay, so we're going to do that. So just settle yourself as you're listening right now. I would just ask you, just settle yourself before the Lord. Be ready for the Spirit to speak to you through this song.

Phil Wickham - The Jesus Way: 12:34

If you curse me, then I will bless you. If you hurt me, I will forgive. And if you hurt me, I will forgive. And if you hate me, then I will love you. I choose the Jesus way. If you're helpless, I will defend you, and if you're burdened, I'll share the weight. And if you're hopeless, then let me show you there's hope in the Jesus way.

Phil Wickham - The Jesus Way: 13:30

I follow Jesus. I follow Jesus. He won my sin. I gladly wear his name. He is the treasure, he is the answer.

Phil Wickham - The Jesus Way: 13:52

We'll be right back. If you strike me, I will embrace you, and if you chain me, I'll sing His praise. And if you kill me.

Phil Wickham - The Jesus Way: 14:16

My home is heaven. For I choose the Jesus way, for I choose the Jesus way. I follow Jesus. I follow Jesus. He won't my sin. I'm glad they wear His name. He is the treasure, he is the answer. He is the treasure, he is the answer. Oh, I choose the Jesus way. And I choose to render, I choose to love. Oh God, my Savior, your love is enough. I choose forgiveness, I choose grace, I choose the Word of God. No matter what I say, I choose the Jesus way, I choose the Jesus way. I'll choose the Jesus way. I'll choose the Jesus way. I'll choose the Jesus way. He won't my sin. I follow Jesus. I follow Jesus. He won my sin. Now I'll be well in His name. He is the treasure, he is the answer. Oh, I choose the Jesus way. Oh, I choose the Jesus way.

Kim Mcintire: 16:50

Philippians 2 is really a call to humility and this song is an invitation to live humble when you're offended, when you're hurt, when you're angry, when you feel like you've been cheated, when you're hurt, when you're angry, when you feel like you've been cheated. It's a call to humility and there's no better example than Jesus. It is the Jesus way if you choose to live humbly. So we're going to pray for our listeners right now. This is the introduction to Lesson 2, philippians 2, a Call to Humility, and before we open God's Word and read this text, we're just going to pray over our listeners. Father, god, thank you for this opportunity to open your Word. We ask, in the name of Jesus and through the power of your Holy Spirit, that for every listener who has their Bible, who's getting ready to read along with us and participate in responding to your Word, we pray your Spirit will speak clearly. Lord, grow a love and a passion for your word in the hearts of your people. And God, we pray blessing over this time together. Now May we hear from you, lord, through your sweet Holy Spirit. God, teach us humility, Help us walk in humility. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray Amen. Of Jesus, we pray Amen.

Kim Mcintire: 18:30

Philippians 2. I'm going to read from the NIV and we're going to talk about two key words, and these two words are confess and declare. The key word confess has this purpose Lord, search my heart. Is there anything in this chapter that would reveal sin that I need to confess? God's Word is living and active. It penetrates into the deepest part of our being. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of our heart. So we want to invite the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin, to challenge us. Right, the Holy Spirit is a comforter. It's so true. But I heard a quote once that said you can't expect the comfort of the Holy Spirit if you don't allow the conviction of the Holy Spirit, because he operates in both. So we want to really invite the conviction of the Holy Spirit because it's precious and sweet and many years of my life I ran from conviction because I didn't want to feel that tug but that can create a hardened heart. We don't want that right, but a softening of the heart and just a willingness to say Lord, show me, show me myself. In this text the other key word is declare, and that is just taking truth from this text and speaking it over our life, speaking it over our family or friends or whoever is in our circles. So let's open. We're going to read verse 1 through 11 for the purpose of this lesson and then I'll encourage readers to read on before next time.

Kim Mcintire: 20:03

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with His Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but, in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interest but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing. Taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness and found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore, god exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is, above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen.

Kim Mcintire: 21:39

This passage really taught me humility, and you cannot live in humility, walk in humility or grow in humility if you have a spirit of pride or offense, or grow in humility if you have a spirit of pride or offense. So this chapter, specifically these 11 verses, were verses the Lord used to break off pride and a spirit of offense. So that's what I was convicted of when I first began really meditating on these verses, specifically verse 3, do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but, in humility, consider others better than yourselves. You know, I can't honestly say that's the vein I was living in for a long time. My motives were often selfish and a lot of times focused on my benefit, not the benefit of others. But isn't it wonderful that if we confess that to the Lord, he is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and make us new? So that's the beautiful part of confession, is what the Lord does with it, right, when we repent and turn from it. What about confession for you guys? Were there specific things from this passage that just drew you to a place of confession? Okay, well, I'll share my testimony.

Kim Mcintire: 23:06

Then For a long time I had a spirit of offense and I didn't even realize that I did. And a spirit of offense is when someone says something or does something and you're offended and rather than just forgiving and dropping it, you allow it to kind of snowball within your spirit, becoming a bigger thing than it even is, which then creates a wall between you and the other person and an attitude. The other verse in this I love is my attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. If I'm offended with a brother or sister and I've got a snowball in my spirit of offense, very difficult to have the right attitude right.

Kim Mcintire: 23:55

So one day I was praying about this offense and this person asking God to change them. You know, this person just perpetually offended me and the Lord was like First of all, you have a spirit of offense you need to repent of. So he turned it right back around to me. Then I had to confess pride and offense and then the Lord said and then I'm like, how do I heal from this Lord? And he said this so clearly bless them, pray favor and blessing over them, and do it with a pure heart. So then I had to pray, create in me a pure heart, o Lord, my God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Kim Mcintire: 24:30

But the Lord knows what he's talking about when he says pray for your enemies, bless those who persecute you, and whether that person intentionally did that or not, that's between them and the Lord. All I know is I'm responsible for my end, and my end is to ask God to forgive me for the offense and then to bless that person with the purest heart that I can, and that comes through the Holy Spirit, because Kim doesn't have it in her to pray. Blessings and favor over someone that's offended me. But wow, I can sure do it when the Holy Spirit shows up. Amen, amen. Any thoughts that anyone wants to share on Philippians 2? I will.

Jo Beth Ellis: 25:11

The verse that really spoke to me on this right here was at the name of Jesus, the power in the beautiful name of Jesus. When Jesus is spoken, just the mention of his name shifts the atmosphere, changes the attitudes, demons flee, the load is lighter, darkness rescinds, fear is gone, comfort is felt, joy overflows. There's truly power in the name of Jesus and my confession is this Lord, please forgive me when I have not been in awe at the mention of your name. I never want to be in a mindset that Jesus is just a name like all other names. Forgive me when I have not shown the reverence and honor at the mention of your name. Father, at the mention of Jesus, may I fall to my knees and worship in awe of the one who gave his life for mine. That redeemed me and set me free. Cleanse my lips of the casual mention of your name ignites a fire deep within me that changes me from the inside out for your glory. Amen, so good.

Kim Mcintire: 26:38

Amen. I want to mention something JoBeth is reading from her journal, and so when I say, grab your Bible notebook and a pen, it's because my recommendation is you journal your thoughts and you pray them before the Lord, and that's not absolutely essential, but it's beneficial that you can go back and look at it and really remind yourself of some things the Lord's brought you from or taught you through different seasons. So thank you for sharing that journal entry, jo Beth, anyone else have anything to share about confession before we move on?

Olivia Frazier: 27:12

Yes, the one part of this that the Lord just really just stuck, just kept prodding me with, was adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus. I remember when you spoke your testimony, the first time that I'd heard that part of your testimony.

Olivia Frazier: 27:36

Yeah, I just remember saying, like, thinking to myself I'm exactly like that. I was so easy to take offense at somebody and see things that weren't even there. I mean, somebody could say something to me and I would completely spin it out, spin it. I would spin it in a way that was against me somehow, sure. And so I was writing down my notes and everything, and the Lord had just really brought that back up to me again and just not be so easy to be offended.

Olivia Frazier: 28:20

So that was really my confession was don't be easy to be offended, I mean.

Kim Mcintire: 28:25

Because can we be offended and be humble at the same time? We really can't. It's impossible. And I'll tell you something else I would say most people do struggle with this to a degree, but a lot of people aren't willing to admit it. So I want to encourage you, listeners, really allow the Lord to search your heart Because He'll reveal to you. Sometimes it's a friend, sometimes it's a family member, sometimes it's a coworker or a superior, maybe it's a boss or someone who works for you, an employee. But ask the Lord, lord, am I offended by someone? And help me to get that right, because, oh, it clears your heart and it makes the fellowship with Jesus so much sweeter and fellowship with other people, because the spirit of offense, everything in our heart, comes out of our mouth to someone right? So man, don't skip past that offense issue Like, really work through it and allow the Lord to do that in you, and I'll add to that too.

Olivia Frazier: 29:25

Sometimes I would be offended at what was happening around me, and it didn't have to like my circumstances, I would just be in that attitude of just. Life was unfair and you know, and that was offense at God. And why would I be offended at God? That's a great point, that is good.

Phil Wickham - The Jesus Way: 29:43

It's really good.

Kim Mcintire: 29:44

Because even worse than being offended with people is being offended with God right.

Charity DeGonia: 29:50

Let me just speak on that confess for just a second, because when we started with confess and we say search me God, but then when he does, we don't really, you know, oh, I don't like that conviction, it doesn't feel good and so I went to, you know, psalms 139, the rest of that and my favorite part, that it says lead me in the way everlasting. So we have to really focus on when it hurts and when we're saying, lord, this is really hard. It's hard to give up this spirit of offense or whatever it is. That we're giving up that humility. It's because our end goal is to be in His will, right His way, because ultimately that's what we desire.

Charity DeGonia: 30:28

And that can only happen with the fellowship of the Spirit, like it says in I think it's verse 3, 2, verse 2, one or two, anyway, it's right there. And it says if any fellowship with the Spirit, so that's where it comes from. But when I was trying to say, search me in this, what am I doing? You know, offense sometimes looks like judgment, and I am one that's like quick to, I can't believe they did that or whatever you know. And so that judgment is where God was really working with me, because that humility wasn't in judgment, you know. And so then you know God says, hey, you have to love them, no matter what you know, and I'm thinking not everybody's easy to love. God says, hey, you have to love them, no matter what you know, and I'm thinking not everybody's easy to love. And God says but our love from others comes from the fellowship with the Spirit, because God created them all, no matter how much that person had hurt me. That person doesn't care if he hurts me or not or whatever. God still calls me to love him.

Charity DeGonia: 31:21

And I know many of our listeners, I mean many people. In my life there's been somebody that hurt us and didn't really—we never get an apology, we never get an—or the hurt continues. But God says you know, fellowship with me and I'll show you how to love for him, love that person and, lastly on that, confess man. We have to look at what others need. And God has looked at our needs and he says you know you need compassion and mercy and grace. So who am I to hold that back for others as well? So with humility and our fellowship with the Spirit comes unity. Our hearts are then unified with his and then the love comes.

Kim Mcintire: 32:04

Yeah with his, and then the love comes. Yeah, most of the relationships in my life that I've lost or have gone badly, I'm just going to confess here the Lord told me to today were mostly because of my pride and spirit of offense. And once a relationship's gone it may never come back. But I want to acknowledge that, not just before the Lord but before others, because the Lord says confess your sins one to another that you may be healed. I'll take that, lord. I'm happy to confess that I have failed in relationships. I've allowed pride and offense to take a higher position than humility and forgiveness. And wow, the Lord knows so much better how to walk it out in true love.

Kim Mcintire: 32:57

And you know who's ever been more offended than Jesus, like treated with more contempt or ridicule than Jesus? Yeah, but yet he did not respond. Isaiah 53 says he didn't even open his mouth. Like a sheep before her shearers is silent. He did not open his mouth. So just some heart checks, really, in Philippians 2. All right, we're going to move from the keyword confess to the keyword declare. Declare is taking truths from God's Word and speaking them out over our life, and so this is full of declaration, isn't it? Especially even more, even as you go on through Philippians 2 for the rest of the chapter. So whoever would like to share one of their declarations, let's do it. It's one of my favorite key words, this declaration.

Charity DeGonia: 33:54

It has become my favorite and I love to go back through my old notes and go oh man, that declare is so simple compared to what God has given me. Now. You know like he really grows us, it really builds. So for my declare and this was really talking about what is humility and how did Jesus show His humility? And what stood out to me is that he emptied Himself.

Charity DeGonia: 34:18

And part of this came from Bill Johnson made a statement. It said never miss an opportunity to die emptying ourselves. And I was like Lord, what does that I mean? What does that look like right and why? You know, not just to be a servant, as it says. You know, jesus did it so that he could become a servant all the way. He served us all the way to the death. But God told me and my declare was I will let Jesus's mindset become my motivation, my motivation to selfless and possess a greater concern for what matters for others and becoming the servant that he wants me to become. And then I went on to say I will die to myself and empty myself to become a vessel and a conduit of living water. And that went further, where God was telling me that I cannot pour out to others what he's given me until I empty myself you know I don't want to pour anything other than Him out.

Charity DeGonia: 35:20

I want to be a vessel and I have to empty myself in order to do that.

Kim Mcintire: 35:25

And the truth is we're all pouring something out. I hope and pray it's Jesus, because for so many years of my life it wasn't so like. Thank you, lord, for just giving me that awareness that whatever is coming out, it's either from you or the enemy, because there's no in the middle. There's really not. If you think there's a neutral ground, there's not. You're either speaking life or you're speaking death, and it's true and so thank you, lord, for teaching us right. Okay, declaration. Jo Beth, do you have a declaration?

Jo Beth Ellis: 36:03

I do. I declare in faith I will surrender. I am his masterpiece. He is creating a masterpiece of me that does not grumble or complain. This masterpiece will be blameless, will be innocent, will shine for Jesus in this world of darkness. I declare I will shine Jesus wherever I go. I declare I will hold fast to the word of life. I will not run this race of life in vain and I will be used for his glory and purpose.

Kim Mcintire: 36:25

That's so good. Yep, that's from verse 12. So if you look on through, it just talks about shining for Jesus. So good. My declaration is my favorite part of that whole chapter is at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow. So my declaration is Lord, there is a day coming that every one of us will bow. Every knee, every tongue will confess you are Lord. Let it be today, let it not just be when you return, but let my knee bow now, let my tongue confess now that you are Lord to anyone who will listen. So I just want to live that kind of faith where, when people encounter me, they don't have any doubt who I serve, that it's the Lord Jesus and it's not the world.

Kim Mcintire: 37:08

And it's not the world and it's not the enemy. So that's my declaration. Olivia, did you have one?

Olivia Frazier: 37:13

Oh yeah, All right, let's go, girl. A couple of mine I have a couple here, yeah, one of them is I declare that I will walk in humility as Jesus did, and I will adopt the same attitude as he did did, and I will adopt the same attitude as he did. And another one was I declare I will be obedient to whatever the Lord has called me to do, because that's a hard one for me. You know, in the moment when you know God is like do this, I want you to do this. Right now, I get stuck in the fear and like okay, lord, what are they thinking? What are they? You know everything, but if I declare that over myself, you know boldness and you know just do it, yeah.

Kim Mcintire: 37:51

Does anyone want to share about how declaring has changed just their life with the Lord? Like, because I feel like it's one of the most powerful key words. Like if I'm speaking things from God's word, things do change, whether I see them or not?

Kim Mcintire: 38:11

Because you can't speak God's Word or God's truth without something happening in the spirit realm. And so I feel like declaring is empowering it is. I feel more bold and more confident when what's coming out of my mouth is from God and not my own thoughts or opinions. You know, when I say there's a day coming, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord. Let it be today. That's not Kim's thoughts, those are God's thoughts. I'm speaking out over the atmosphere. So I just want to encourage people as you work your way through Philippians 2, and you use these keywords confess and declare, ask the Lord to help you, because these are really simple truths but they have profound results and those are the testimonies that are coming. Just simple words with profound thoughts and profound effects on your life. It will affect your marriage, your children, your family, your grandchildren, your workplace, your ministry. It will. What's coming out of your mouth is powerful. The power of life is on the tongue right. So life or death, that's with our words. So let's keep that in mind. Any other thoughts before we move into prayer? Okay, so before next time, if you're listening, I would like to say if you have questions about the lesson, feel free to leave comments on any of the podcast platforms. I will try and get back to those questions and respond to those in a timely manner, because we definitely want to be able to answer your questions. So feel free to interact in that way.

Kim Mcintire: 40:00

But between now and the next class, class three, just read through Philippians 2.

Kim Mcintire: 40:07

Use those two key words, record your thoughts into journals, pray to the Lord about that, and every abide lesson ends with a prayer practice, and the prayer practice I'm sharing that the Lord has taught me is bless those who offend you, and so so spend some time with the Lord.

Kim Mcintire: 40:30

Ask the Lord do I have a spirit of offense in me, father? And if I do, would you reveal it to me? Would you reveal to me who has offended me? And it may take you some time. If you have a lot of offense in your heart, you may have to work through this over a period of days or maybe even weeks. But believe these two things that the Lord can create in you a pure heart, so that when you're asking Him to bless those who offend you, you can truly believe that the Lord is going to do that and he's going to honor the prayer Like he will honor. If you're willing to get on your knees and pray blessings over people who hurt you, I promise you the Lord's going to honor it, because that's what the Lord does he prays for people who offend Him.

Kim Mcintire: 41:20

You know, he prays for us. So that's what we're going to do. We're going to do that now. So we're not going to use names, of course. We're just going to pray about our hearts today. So let's settle ourselves before the Lord.

Kim Mcintire: 41:38

Father, god, thank you for your kindness that leads us to repentance. Thank you for the gift of confession. Thank you for the gift of conviction from your Holy Spirit, for grace and mercy and forgiveness and restoration. Thank you, lord, for your example of humility. Jesus, no one was rejected more offended more was rejected, more offended, more condemned, to the degree that you were. And yet you loved and you forgave and you showed mercy. Reveal to our hearts, father, anyone who has offended us. Reveal to us if we have pride that needs to be crucified so that we can truly walk in a spirit of humility. Lord, we want to bless those who hurt us. We want to pray for those who persecute us. We want to follow your example, lord, and your example is humility.

Kim Mcintire: 42:49

So, father, we are believing that you're going to do a mighty work through the power of your Holy Spirit in every listener today, god, that you're going to meet them in your word, that you're going to speak through the pages of Philippians 2 in a mighty way, as hearts confess before you, as hearts declare your truth. God, let it be that our attitude reflects Jesus to everyone in our path. God, we thank you for your goodness and your mercy and your grace. We ask all of these things for the purpose of your name being glorified, and we ask this in the mighty and holy and powerful name of Jesus, the name at which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. It is in the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Be sure to check us out on our website at signtoriseuporg, our Facebook page or Instagram at the underscore official underscore rise, underscore up. May God's grace and peace be with you in Jesus' name.