For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously givi

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (verse 23) - As Paul began this letter, so now he ends. Like all his letters, he’d begun by bestowing grace (together with peace) on those to whom he was writing. So, now, in closing, he speaks that same grace over his Philippian friends yet again. I love the simplicity of this blessing. It’s clear that Paul is not drawing from his own resources to bless them, as if in his own power he had such capacity, but rathe

… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (verses 11-13) - Contentment. What a settling word. It takes the wind out of the sails of jealousy and envy, greed and avarice, gluttony and more. It puts an end

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (verses 4-7) - We were filming some testimonies several years ago for our Live Stream church service. It was inspiring to hear t

For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his g

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (verses 12-14) - My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (verses 10-11) - “I want to know Christ.” What a simple, powerful statement of yearning and commitment. It’s not just about intellectual knowledge. Paul would certainly run circles around most of us in that department. But he’s got his sights on something more. His interest is rel

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel … But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life … (verses 14-16) - Oh, how easy it is to fall into a pattern of “complaining” and “arguing,” murmuring and grumbling. We can do it in the church. We can do it in the world. We can do it in marriages and families and close communities of all k

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (verses 12-13) - “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Really? I thought Jesus paid it all, that his was the finished sacrifice, offered for all time – one sacrifice for sins – after which he sat down forever

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (verses 9-11) - I love the name of Jesus. It stirs my heart. His name is so deeply ingrained, having been with me for years and years, indeed for a lifetime. It draws me near. I lift my sights to the heights

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross. (verses 5-8) - There are two places this passage causes us to focus our eyes. First and foremost, we focus on our Lord. This p

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, 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 … (verses 27-28) - When we were kids, and company was coming, Mom and Dad often needed to give us a pep talk beforehand, confirming their expectation that we behave

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (verse 21) - I remember visiting a dear, elderly woman from our congregation who was in hospital with severe heart issues. She was full of faith, having lived a lifetime in relationship with her Lord Jesus. Before I visited, I’d heard the doctors had told her there wasn’t much they could do, that in fact she was dying. I wondered how she was taking it. Standing at the bedside, I was greeted by her sweet, warm smile, weaker than

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly … The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. (verses 9-11) - Don’t you love it when someone with spiritual maturity and insight prays over you?  I can think of many moments when a prayer like that has touched me deeply, t

… being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (verse 6) - When we moved into our previous home, the backyard had a steep, sloping garden running the full length of the house, completely dominated by unruly and overgrown juniper. For those of you who have yet to encounter it, juniper is a low-lying evergreen shrub, with rather prickly boughs. To my own eye, it’s pleasing enough while small, low to

Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord...

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet...

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1) - Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash