Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
…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”
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”
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”
… as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
Summary: Understanding the difference between the law and love is not as simple as it sounds.
How can anyone say that they are “faultless?”
Really?
Faultless?!
Continue reading “Philippians 3:6b – Faultless”
Do everything without grumbling or arguing…
Summary: We begin our examination of this passage by focusing on the concept of arguing.
I try not to grumble. I really do! I especially try not to grumble in church or about church. After all, if churches were only for perfect people, I’d never be allowed in!
Continue reading “Philippians 2:14 – Without Arguing (Part I)”
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Summary: In this passage, Paul challenges us to see things as God sees them.
There is a theme that runs through the Bible that goes something like this:
Continue reading “Philippians 2:3b – Perspective”
[Therefore, if you ….make my joy complete by being like-minded]… being one in spirit…
Summary: This passage challenges us to explore the meaning of the word Paul used for “one in spirit.”
Nestled between the “same love” and being “of one mind,” Paul inserted today’s passage: “… being one in spirit.”
Have you ever wondered why the text reads “spirit,” and not “Spirit?”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2d – Spiritual Harmony”[Therefore, if you ….make my joy complete by being like-minded]… having the same love…
Summary: Having the “same love” as Christ is a challenge. Understanding why helps us to focus our efforts on serving God’s will.
Paul’s sentences are famously long and convoluted. In this passage, he begins with a series of “if’s,” and then, when he reaches his “then,” he asks his readers to “make my joy complete by being like-minded.”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2c – Two Kinds of Love”
[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.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:1b – Comfort”
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.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:1-2 – Paul’s Request”