Paul is dealing with our joy and warning about those areas that can steal our joy. We must watch for circumstances, people, things and in the last chapter worry. Paul will describe how we must find our peace and trust in Christ. Satan wants to cause worry to rob of us of the tranquility we can have in Christ. 

Paul would not allow anything to rob himself of his joy. In our passage today we find that he understood that he had to keep his focus. There is always room for growth when it comes to the life of the believer. Paul understood that fact and he wanted all to move forward in their         understanding of salvation.

The Bible describes for us heroes. These heroes are greatly different from the type of hero we focus on today. As Paul was looking for someone who would exhibit the mind of Christ, he uses a priceless pair. We want to examine the qualities Paul points out of someone who has the mind of Christ.

Paul continues to describe how we can maintain joy.  Circumstances should not stand between us and our joy and neither should people. The way to accomplish this very important feat is to allow humility to reign in our lives. Paul will give to us the ultimate example of humility in Christ.

Paul will explain his value to the church at Philippi. He finds himself in prison probably in Rome. He explains how circumstances do not determine our lives, but how we handle these circumstances. It is easy to allow events and places to cause us to lose our joy. Paul is praising God no matter where he finds himself. Are you a person of joy today?