Source: http://bit.ly/2TevOBq Today: [1 Thessalonians 1:] What is the Wrath to Come? In this first chapter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul offers strong consolation to the church in that city that is suffering harsh persecution from both the pagan and Jewish populations. In commending their faith under fire he makes an ambiguous reference to a “wrath […]
READ MORE Source: http://bit.ly/2ESK53C Today: [Colossians 4:] Equity, Prayer and Persecution: In concluding the letter to the Colossians Paul instructs those who rule over others to do so with fairness in the sight of God. He further admonishes the people to continue in prayer and to pray for him as well. Persecution is on the rise in […]
READ MORE Source: http://bit.ly/2LAJRyn Today: [Colossians 3:] Christ Who is Our Life. In chapter 3 of Colossians Paul calls upon us to anchor our sense of self-referral and wellbeing in who God is in our lives and not any other thing. Our intimate connections to one another are to be on the basis of the indwelling Christ […]
READ MORE Source: http://bit.ly/2EF9jlX Today: [Colossians 2:] Christ and Christ Alone! In chapter 2 of Colossians Paul calls upon the Colossian believers to identify the contaminating influence of religious culture and the pagan society around them that is toxic to faith in Christ. He insists that we are complete in Christ and that Christ in us is […]
READ MORE Source: https://ift.tt/2EyfF5v Today: [Colossians 1:] The Supremacy of Christ: Do you have a little dashboard Jesus? Or perhaps just a quaint figurine in a ceramic manger? In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he finds this congregation with notions about Jesus that fell far short of who He actually is as Lord of the Universe. In […]
READ MORE Source: https://ift.tt/2A3x1UH Today: [Philippians 4:] Gems of Admonition: In the final chapter of Philippians there are several statements Paul makes that constitute some of the most often quoted verses in the scripture. We find promises and admonitions given that once incorporated into our thinking and our faith will make a radical difference in our daily […]
READ MORE Source: https://ift.tt/2UQkkpn Today: [Philippians 3:] Forgetting Those Things that are Behind: Do you have a past? Have you suffered much and experienced loss? Paul declares in this chapter that we are to forget those things that are behind and press into the mark of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. We are […]
READ MORE Source: https://ift.tt/2BsxgZk Today: [Philippians 2:] Humility and the Mind of Christ. In our chapter, Paul exhorts the believers to adopt the mind of Christ in their regard for themselves and the heart of Christ in their concern for one another. It is difficult to be in one accord with other believers when we are struggling […]
READ MORE Source: https://ift.tt/2EifeMu Today: [Philippians 1:] Faith Under Fire: Have you ever been criticized or persecuted for the cause of Christ? Paul writes the book of Philippians from prison encouraging the believers in that city to stand fast in the face of persecution. Are you a threat to the enemies of the cross? Then you can […]
READ MORE Source: https://ift.tt/2BeuFCl Today: [Ephesians 6:] Family Relationships and Spiritual Warfare: In chapter six Paul cautions us to be circumspect in our family relationships. Many believers embrace this chapter for its lofty concepts of spiritual warfare but leave out the practical demands made upon them in their relationship to their families. God calls upon us not […]
READ MORE