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Drifting into godliness
On Wednesday nights our adult Bible study group is going through a video series on Philippians led by Matt Chandler. It is simply good stuff. Reflecting on Philippians 3:12-15, Chandler said this at one point: No one has ever drifted into godliness. We need a hunger. We need a striving. We need to keep asking, “HOW do I know God…
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Stirring our passions
Our Wednesday night Bible study has been going through a series on Philippians, listening to a teaching from Matt Chandler. It is an incredible series. Last night was on Philippians 3 and the issue of what stirs our affections. Our hearts were so stirred as we thought of the things that God uses in our lives to stir our deep…
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It’s hard to kill a dead man
I’ve met several missionaries who are part of the “Live Dead” teams being raised up to go into the hardest places of the world. They have been to my church. I’ve sat with them at lunch. They are incredibly determined people. Meeting one in context is somehow a very different story. Sitting in another country, listening to them almost casually…
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To rejoice in the Lord
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Phil 4:4) Rejoicing is not always a frantic shout-fest, trying to spin up frothing emotion. It is a state of deep content. Deep joy doesn’t have to shout. Last night I took my wife to one of our favorite restaurants and we shared a fabulous steak, along with some amazing…
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The Elusive Position of Contentment
12 I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. 13 I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:12-13, CEB) In a culture that…
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You are a model
And so am I. Isn’t that good news? When do I get my photo shoot? While we may not have “model looks,” we do have a higher calling. Our high calling isn’t about making the cover of a magazine. Our high calling is to live out the Kingdom in front of others so they can see the beauty of Christ.…
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Live Up to What You Have
Phil. 3:16 — Live up to what we have already attained. Early thoughts on this week’s reading: build on what you have, not what you wish you had, or bemoaning what you don’t have. Take what you have in Christ and build on it. Take up the passionate pursuit with what is already in you.
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The Challenge of Servanthood in an Age of Self-Branding
The text for next Sunday is Philippians 2:1-13. I find these words incredibly challenging in an age where self-branding and marketing is so dominant. 1 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, 2 then make my joy complete…
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Apprehended by God
My teaching has focused on the Book of Acts and Philippians due to my teaching schedule at college and my ministry at the church. This week I brought together Saul’s conversion and the beautiful passage out of Philippians 3 where Paul cries out: “I want to know Christ!” I will not do justice to the Philippians 3 passage in my…
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The Holy Pursuit
One of the great privileges of teaching the Word is my need to be immersed in the Word. Currently I am teaching classes on Prison Epistles and Acts, along with a New Testament survey. Acts and the Prison Epistles keep me constantly immersed in the Word for class teaching. Through that immersion I find my life undone at times. Part…
Tag: Philippians
