Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
Summary: There is only one Christmas Day each calendar year, but we can live each day as if it were Christmas if we allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide.
Christmas has come and gone. It went fast, didn’t it? Yet, there is a feeling of Christmas Spirit that lingers on.
Continue reading “John 15:26 – Merry Day After”
For no word from God will ever fail.
Summary: Merry Christmas!
Today is the day Jesus Christ was born! Happy Birthday, Jesus!
When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple for the purification rites, Simeon, a devout man of God, took the baby Jesus in his arms and said:
Continue reading “Luke 1:37 – Merry Christmas, Part 3”
For no word from God will ever fail.
Summary: In Part 1, we looked at what it means to sin, and what it meant that Jesus was without sin (1 John 3:5). In this part, we look more closely at what that means for us today.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Shortly after that, he created mankind (Genesis 1:26).
Continue reading “Luke 1:37 – Merry Christmas, Part 2”
For no word from God will ever fail.
Summary: In this meditation, we look back on why Jesus had to become a man and what it means for us.
The Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, and John are all written from the perspective of a first or second-hand account of Jesus’ life on earth by people who knew him. Luke’s Gospel is different.
Continue reading “Luke 1:37 – Merry Christmas, Part 1”
They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
Summary: In this passage, Paul equates what the Philippians have given to an Old Testament sacrifice.
This verse fascinates because it poses the question, “What is pleasing to God?”
Continue reading “Philippians 4:18b – Giving It Up For God”
I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.
Summary: Once again, we find ourselves stepping into the role of Word Detective as we work to make sure we have a clear understanding of Paul’s meaning.
Maybe it is just me, but it seems weird that in the prior verse Paul says that he doesn’t desire gifts from the Philippians and then in this verse he starts talking about having received “full payment.”
Continue reading “Philippians 4:18a – Word Detective”
Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.
Summary: Paul’s statement in this verse reveals his heart for serving God and leads to a revealing study of God’s Word.
This passage touches on an important point: Paul is careful to separate his carnal self-interest from God’s will.
Continue reading “Philippians 4:17 – Treasure”
… for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.
Summary: The strongest bonds are formed when we are in our deepest need.
If you have ever been someplace where you don’t know the people and they don’t know you, you know what it is like to try to make friends. Paul, of course, wasn’t trying to make friends for himself, but for Jesus.
Continue reading “Philippians 4:16 – Care Package”… when I set out from, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only …
Summary: Paul’s mission to share the Gospel was unique in many ways. One of those ways was that Paul was directly accountable to the Lord. He knew Jesus, and that was enough. Yet, when the Philippians remembered Paul and sent help, he was deeply touched.
It is hard to imagine what Paul’s life must have been like after meeting Jesus.
Before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was a Pharisee. If he went somewhere, he had an entire organization behind him. The high priest, the Council, and their associates would give him letters of introduction and authority to carry out his missions (Acts 22:5). When Paul showed up as a Pharisee, people paid attention.
Continue reading “Philippians 4:15b – Only You”
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel…
Summary: Paul’s comment about the “early days” of the Philippians’ relationship with the Gospel of Jesus Christ points to a truth we can all relate to.
Paul’s reference to “early days” is a reference we can all relate to. Things change with the passage of time. No matter what we might talk about, the “early days” of something are always special.
Continue reading “Philippians 4:15a – Early Days”