Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
… along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Summary: Paul points us to the idea that Jesus needed faith, too.
In addition to God’s grace, or perhaps part of it, is the “faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:14b – A Gem Called Jesus”
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man …
Summary: The change in Paul that occurred on the road to Damascus is not all that different than what we commonly call a “wake up call.”
How does a person go from seeing himself as a virtuous defender of “All That Is Right” one day, and the next, find themselves believing that their whole life has been a horrible mistake?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:13a – A Single Blast of Light”
[I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,] … that he considered me trustworthy…
Summary: Wondering why God considered Paul trustworthy leads us down an interesting and fruitful rabbit-trail.
What if Paul had not been trustworthy? How would God know?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:12c – Uncompromising”
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord…
Summary: We don’t always know how dark it is until someone turns on the light.
With these six words, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,” Paul is about to launch into a self-portrait of his own shortcomings and the power of Christ to forgive and restore us to his kingdom.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:12a – Twice Owned”
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 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”
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”