Philippians Bible Study Phili.1:1-5 God desires that our lives as His people be filled with joy. The world with all of its temporal pleasures has no corner on happiness. But while God has designed us to rejoice, that joy is a byproduct of our relationship with God. The church at Philippi appears to have had very few problems and Paul gratefully rejoiced over what God had done in the lives of these believers. God’s blessings, however, often bring Satan’s attack. If we are not moving forward, we are sliding backward. Consider your position in the local church. By taking inventory of your priorities, determine if you are an asset to your local church or a liability.