Experiencing the good life? Caught in a dead end job; trapped in an abusive relationship; prisoner to a physical or mental handicap; or, it may be as simple as the current circumstances seem to be stacked against you. At one time or another, we all find ourselves behind prison bars, things over which we have no control

Paul finding himself in just such circumstances was able to write powerful, positive letters to individuals and to churches expounding the glory of being a Christian. What was the secret of Paul that enabled him to say,  “. . . I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content”(Phil. 4:11)

You, too, can be empowered by the grace of God to not let any circumstance master you. Nothing can harm you unless you first form the opinion in your mind that you have been harmed.  You can learn to withstand which will enable you to stand against any adverse condition that you might encounter.

Experiencing the good life does not hinge upon physical circumstances.

Paul was a prisoner in Rome, bound with chains, and facing the stigma of being a common criminal (2 Tim. 2:9). It seems that his life was a constant mixture of troubles, perplexities, persecutions, and humiliations (2. Cor. 11:23-27). If negative physical circumstances were to be the measure of his serenity and joy, he would have none. Yet, he wrote powerful, positive letters to individuals and to churches expounding the glory of being a Christian. Amazingly, although Paul was in prison, he experienced the good life from behind prison bars.

Is the contented life determined by the flesh and blood circumstances of the physical world–including the trying circumstances of the perils of Paul? Or, does the contented life originate in the spiritual, heavenly realm — regardless of the physical circumstances in which one might find oneself? Paul knew that the warfare for the good life was not in the circumstances in which he found himself, but it was in his mind (Eph. 4:17-20).

Experiencing the good life is a mystery that has been revealed.

Because Paul was made strong in the Lord being invested with the armor of God, he was not going to fall prey to the cunning devices of his own mind. Empowered by the grace of God, he was not going to let any circumstance have mastery over him. He knew bondage would come if he first let anything have the privilege to control his life other than Jesus. There is no mystery in spiritual warfare — the carnal mind is enmity against God (Rom. 8:9).

The mystery is in the gospel–how God can produce the good life regardless of the circumstances. In the current circumstances of which I find myself, am I an ambassador of the earthly domain (gloom, despair and agony from the circumstances).  Or, am I an ambassador of the heavenly domain (peace, joy, and a sense of justice from the Spirit controlled mind)?

Paul was in prison, yet he experienced the good life from behind prison bars. The secret of Paul being able to say, “. . . I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil. 4:11) is found in the simple truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Regardless of the physical circumstance, Jesus will come down to you to lift you up and make you more than you can be.

Experiencing the good life can be a reality for you.

If you desire to learn the secret of Experiencing the Good Life through a Bible study course (15 CD’s and a 151 page workbook), please click on the above Bible Study Course tab.

If you desire to learn the secret of Experiencing the Good Life through a Bible study immediately downloaded to your computer (15 Recordings), please click on the above Immediate Download tab.

If you desire to learn the secret of Experiencing the Good Life through a Bible study sent to you by regular mail (15 CD’s), please click on the above Regular Mail CD’s tab.

Preface

Reading the events of the last few years of Paul’s life staggers our imagination. In twelve days, in Jerusalem prior to being sent to Rome, Paul suffered many perils in life: while in the Temple, he was overtaken by an angry crowd and thrown out of the temple and the doors were slammed shut behind him; certain Jews attempted to beat him to death; rescued by the chief captain, he was bound with chains; he was believed to be the leader of a band of 4,000 murderers; he was scourged, bound with thongs, slapped on the mouth, and caught in a crowd who threatened to pull him to pieces. A band of forty Jews swore an oath that they would not eat until they had killed him.

Paul would have been killed by the Jews in Jerusalem had he not been a Roman citizen. The local leaders of Rome found that he had done nothing worthy of death or to be held in prison. Since he had appealed to Caesar, however, he was sent to Rome.

After having sailed many days and Paul’s warning of dangerous seas being ignored, the ship was caught in a tempestuous storm. For three days the ship was tossed by the winds and the waves. In desperation, the cargo was thrown overboard to lighten the ship. For days neither the sun nor the stars could be seen and all but Paul lost hope that they would be saved. Finally, fourteen days later the ship ran aground attempting to navigate a small inlet seeking relief from the storm. The ship was destroyed but those on board made it safely to shore by using the broken pieces of the ship to keep them afloat.

If the perils of the storm were not enough, Paul’s ordeal was not over. While gathering wood for a fire to warm himself, a poisonous snake bit his hand. The people of the island thought that Paul surely was a murderer having escaped the sea only to be bitten by a snake that meant certain death.

Although Paul was delivered from the effects of the venomous snake on the island of Melita, he was not spared the bonds of prison. When he finally arrived in Rome, he was securely chained to a Roman soldier. He would spend the remaining days of his life in prison. How could one man endure so much suffering and yet continuously share uplifting words of encouragement to others?

He was in prison, yet he experienced the good life from behind prison bars. The secret of Paul being able to say, “. . . I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil. 4:11) is found in the simple truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Regardless of the physical circumstance, Jesus will come down to you to lift you up and make you more that what you are.

Table of Contents

Session  1: Dilemma of Human Existence

Session  2: Making Known the Mystery of the Gospel

Session  3: Standing Against the Wiles of the Devil

Session  4: Withstand in the Evil Day to Stand

Session  5: Wrestling Not Against Flesh and Blood

Session  6: The Wiles of the Devil

Session  7: Stand Therefore

Session  8: Be Strong in the Lord

Session  9: Watching There Unto with all the Saints

Session 10: Take Unto You the Whole Armor of God

Session 11: The Ending of an Age

Session 12: The Beginning of a New Age

Session 13: The New Temple of God

Session 14: Heaven on Earth

Session 15: Pray Always

Bible Study Course

If you desire the Experiencing the Good Life Bible Study Course to be sent to your home by regular mail (15 CD’s and 151 pages work book), click on the above “Choose an option” and choose “Bible Study Course Regular Mail.” Then, click “Add to Cart.”

If you desire the Experiencing the Good Life Bible Study Course immediately downloaded to your computer (15 CD’s and 151 pages work book), click on the above “Choose an option” and choose “Instant Download Bible Study Course.” Then, click “Add to Cart.”

Immediate Download

If you desire the Experiencing the Good Life Bible study to be immediately downloaded to your computer (15 Recordings), click on the above “Choose an option” and click “Immediate Download.” Then, click “Add to Cart.”

If you desire the Experiencing the Good Life Bible Study Course immediately downloaded to your computer (15 CD’s and 151 pages work book), click on the above “Choose an option” and choose “Instant Download Bible Study Course.” Then, click “Add to Cart.”

Regular Mail CD's

If you desire Experiencing the Good Life Bible study to be sent to you by regular mail (15 CD’s), please click on the above “Choose an option” and choose “Regular Mail CD’s.” Then, click “Add to Cart.”