Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
…and receive eternal life.
Summary: Taking a closer look at Paul’s words, we take a moment to review what it means to have eternal life.
Jesus called Paul to be an Apostle — one who is “sent” to teach others about the kingdom of God. We might not ever be called to appear before a king in this life, but we will in the next, and we need to understand what is involved so that we can be prepared.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:16c – The Way Home”
… becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Summary: Paul’s words about “attaining to the resurrection from the dead” lead us to consider how we get to the point where we can actually understand what he is talking about.
For some reason, people don’t like to think about death.
People have different reactions to the topic. Some of us obsess about death, some ignore it or make jokes about it. Human psychology has a variety of ways to deal with the unthinkable.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:10c-11 – The Unthinkable”
… not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law…
Summary: Righteousness can mean a lot of different things depending on whose righteousness you are talking about.
What happens if we have a righteousness of our own?
Many years ago, I worked for a man who claimed there was “no right or wrong—only shades of gray.” It was frustrating because this meant he was always “right” and I was always “wrong.”
Continue reading “Philippians 3:9b – Going Home”
… as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Summary: Paul’s words about THE “word of life” lead us to wonder about our connection with Jesus and his Word, the Bible.
As Paul continues his thought, he finally brings us to the crux of the matter. In our passage for this meditation, he tells us to “hold firmly to the word of life.”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:16a – The Word of Life”
… without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage touch on a nerve that everyone has experience with: fear.
To get the context for this passage, let’s step back and take a look at Paul’s entire thought:
“… I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:26a – Fighting Fear”
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you…
Summary: As we read the words of the Bible, it is easy to jump to conclusions. Jesus’ disciples did the same thing. Yet, if we step back from the words it becomes easier to see the meaning.
Paul is convinced that it is necessary for him to remain “in the body.” In the passage for our meditation, he affirms this when he tells the Philippians, “I know that I will remain.”
Paul is smart. He understands that the timing of his “departure” is not his to choose (Matthew 25:13, Luke 12:13-21). When he says, “I know that I will remain,” he is most likely relaying his conviction that God wants him to remain.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:25 – What About Him?”
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Summary: Death and dying are subjects most people don’t like to talk about, yet each of us will have to confront death at some point. In this passage, Paul’s words give us a clue as to what is waiting for us on the other side of the doorway called death.
When is dying a “good” thing?
Paul seems to be wrestling with this question as he considers the pros and cons of life in the flesh compared to life in the spirit.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:21 – The Fish and the Camel”
… whether by life or by death.
Summary: This passage brings us to an interesting crossroads between one kind of “life and death” and another.
It is, perhaps, time to review Paul’s entire thought here:
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:20d – Choosing Life”We hold these truths to be self-evident …
Summary: The history of the United States is both fascinating and instructive.
Continue reading “Happy 4th of July!”For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.
Summary: Once again Paul points us to the truth that there are reasons we wait, have faith, and hope.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:5 – Waiting in Faith and Hope”