comfort – Three Minute Bible

July 8, 2025July 8, 2025

Philippians 2:1b – Comfort

Picture of an airplane pilot holding a checklist (Grok)

[Therefore] … if [you have] any comfort from his love…

Summary: As we continue through Paul’s checklist, we are reminded that being broken before God is a prerequisite for finding comfort in his love.

In this passage, Paul provides us with a kind of “pre-flight” checklist.

When I was young, my dad owned a small plane, but it was a very simple one. No electrical system or fancy-dancy navigational equipment. Just magnetos for electrical power and a good, swift pull on the prop for a starter.

June 28, 2025June 28, 2025

Philippians 2:1-2 – Paul’s Request

A graphic representation of a building (sky scraper) made from words. (Grok)

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Summary: Paul’s thoughts are sometimes complex. In this meditation, we take a 30,000-foot view of Paul’s thoughts in his passage in hopes of seeing the “bigger picture.”

If you have read this blog for any length of time, you are probably shocked to see a meditation that is based on two entire verses at once. Never fear! We will, no doubt, dissect this in future meditations. However, given the complexity of Paul’s thought here, I thought it best to begin with an overview.

August 16, 2024August 16, 2024

Galatians 6:5 – Jackson’s Burden

… for each one should carry their own load.

Summary: Just a few verses ago Paul told us to “carry each other’s burdens.” Now he says “each one should carry their own load.” We need to untangle his words to understand their meanings.

July 16, 2024July 16, 2024

Galatians 5:22a – A Special Kind of Giving

But the fruit of the Spirit is …

Summary: As Paul begins to teach us about the fruit of the Spirit, it is worth taking a moment to consider why God’s Spirit changes who we are and how others see us.

November 21, 2023November 21, 2023

Ephesians 6:22 – Comfort

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

Summary: Why is Tychicus going to Ephesus? Paul has given him a mission. Knowing his mission helps us understand what was on Paul’s mind when he wrote his letter to Ephesus.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Ephesians 2:14a – Peacemaker

For he himself is our peace,

Summary: Peace is something that many of us want but not everyone agrees. Peace has a cost and not everyone is willing to pay their share. In Christ, we find a peace that is life-changing.

February 13, 2019February 12, 2019

Assurance – John 10: 27 – 29

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

Life is a scary business. We are not always conscious of this truth, but in a moment something critical can change and suddenly we are no longer self-assured; instead, we are scared. And with good reason. There is so little we really know about this life. There is really very little we have control over.