Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
I thank my God every time I remember you.
Summary: Paul’s thankfulness for the church at Philippi is a sign of his love for them and his memories of his time with the Philippians.
Do you know anybody you’d do that for?
Do you know someone, whom every time you think of them, you literally thank God for that person?
Continue reading “Philippians 1:3 – A Special Place”
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Summary: Paul’s introduction affirms that God’s grace extends to all who believe. In the same sentence, he describes the result of God’s grace; God’s peace.
When Paul offers us “grace and peace” from God, it helps if we understand how he is using those words. The grace and peace he is talking about are not just pleasantries. They are real things.
Let’s begin with “grace.”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:2 – Grace and Peace”
… together with the overseers and deacons:
Summary: This letter is unique because the introduction includes “overseers and deacons.” Their presence in the letter’s opening lines gives us an opportunity to explore who these people are.
In some ways, Paul’s letter to the Philippians is unique. Like his other letters, Paul expounds on the love of Christ and the heart of the Gospel. Unlike his other letters, he singles out “overseers and deacons” in his greeting.
Why is this important?
Continue reading “Philippians 1:1c – Church Leaders”
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi…
Summary: God’s people are special because they are family.
If you had to pick one person to act as the key spokesman for introducing Christianity to the Gentile world, it is hard to imagine someone better suited to the job than Paul.
Paul’s expertise as a Pharisee gives him extensive knowledge, not only of the history of Jewish traditions and laws, but the theology, or academic underpinnings, behind those laws. Paul understands the heart of Judaism.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:1b – Vine and Branch”
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus…
Summary: As we begin our meditations on Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we are prompted to reflect on God’s Word as his family album.
I often think of the Bible as God’s family album. Even without pictures, the Bible includes “portraits” of people who are important to God and who are part of his story.
Of course, we are all important to God! He loves us without a doubt! Yet, some people play a more prominent role than others (1 Corinthians 12:18-20).
Continue reading “Philippians 1:1a – One Voice”
Grace be with you.
Summary: Once again Paul packs a lot into a few words. Understanding God’s grace requires that we understand the penalty for sin that hangs over our heads.
Paul’s parting words are simple: “Grace be with you.”
It sounds nice, but … what does it mean?
Continue reading “Colossians 4:18c – Last Words”
Remember my chains.
Summary: When Paul asks us to remember his chains, he has something very specific in mind. When we realize what it is, we discover the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.
As we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he asks one last thing: “Remember my chains.”
Why?
Why does Paul want us to remember his chains?
Continue reading “Colossians 4:18b – When Paul Met Jesus”
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
Summary: Handwriting is as unique as our fingerprints — even in Paul’s day.
Several years ago my mother died and with her died the most beautiful handwriting in town. I know this because the person who processed water service payments for the city told me. He should know — he saw everyone’s handwriting when they paid their water bills.
Continue reading “Colossians 4:18a – Authenticity”
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
Summary: Paul’s admonition for Archippus is an encouragement for all of us.
Who is Archippus?
In fact, we don’t know. What we do know is hardly worth mentioning.
Continue reading “Colossians 4:17 – Ministry”
After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
Summary: Considering the scope of Paul’s letters helps us understand why God chose some and not others to be included in the Bible.
Apparently, Paul wrote a lot of letters.
Do you ever wonder how many of them didn’t make it into the Bible?
Continue reading “Colossians 4:16 – Letters”