Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
…by the command of God our Savior …
Summary: Being an apostle is not all it’s cracked up to be. The work is hard, and the pay is lousy — at least from a worldly perspective.
Why would anyone become an apostle of Jesus Christ?
Does being an apostle give you status? Are people impressed by you being an apostle?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:1c – God’s Command”
…an apostle of Christ Jesus …
Summary: As we begin our study of Paul’s letter to Timothy, we are immediately confronted by a word that people argue over, even today. Clarifying what we mean by the word we choose helps resolve conflict and restore unity.
It is always helpful, when embarking on a discussion of any serious nature, to define terms.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:1b – Apostle”
Paul …
Summary: As we begin to explore Paul’s first letter to Timothy, it is interesting to note the relationship between Paul and Timothy. Paul’s adoption of Timothy as a son colors everything we will read here.
Paul begins his letter to Timothy in the formal style of his day. If you squint your eyes when you look at his letter, it really isn’t much different from our letters today.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:1a – Father Paul”
Amen.
Summary: The word “Amen,” is handy to know for several reasons. In our closing meditation, we look at a few things Paul mentions in his letter.
As we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, it is worth taking a few minutes to look back over Paul’s words to us. (He is, after all, a messenger of God to you and me.)
Continue reading “Philippians 4:23b – The “Amen!” at the End”
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Summary: Paul continues to lay challenges before us, even in the last line of his letter.
Paul closes out his letter to the Philippians with these beautiful words:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
Continue reading “Philippians 4:23a – Spiritual Sight”
The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
Summary: When Paul sends greetings, it is like setting off fireworks! He doesn’t just send one, but instead sends a dazzling bouquet of them.
In the closing verses of Philippians, Paul extends greetings to his readers. “Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus,” he begins (Phil. 4:21a). It is a simple command that echoes the familial bond that binds believers everywhere.
Continue reading “Philippians 4:21b-22 – You Are Not Alone”
Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus.
Summary: This passage requires us to strap in for a linguistic roller coaster ride.
It would be easy to gloss over this sentence and instead look at the entire verse or even the next two verses. However, on close examination, there is a lot to chew on here.
Continue reading “Philippians 4:21a – Greetings”
Amen.
Summary: The word “amen,” is unusual in that it is common to many languages. It doesn’t matter much where you are; if you shout, “Amen!” people know what you mean.
The “Blue Letter Bible” website entry on Strong’s G281, “amen,” includes this quote from Dr. Henry M. Morris (1918–2006) about the word, “Amen:”
Continue reading “Philippians 4:20b – Amen”
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.
Summary: Our God and Father is worthy of all honor and glory — always.
It has been a long journey through Paul’s letter to the Philippians! Each meditation has explored only one facet of the passage or word it focuses on. God’s Word is amazing in its depth and breadth of meaning (Isaiah 55:9). I am reminded of John’s words at the end of his Gospel:
Continue reading “Philippians 4:20a – Glory and Honor”
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Summary: Christmas provides the perfect backdrop for this passage.
As I begin to write this meditation, it is the day after Christmas. The Christmas tree is still up in the living room, and the house is still decorated with garlands and lights. The happy sounds of conversation and laughter emanate from the dining room, where our son and his wife share memories with my wife, while I sit in the living room, keeping an eye on our two-year-old granddaughter.
Continue reading “Philippians 4:19 – Wants and Needs”