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

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s...

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only...

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and your mother” – which is the first commandment with a...

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife...

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of...

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all...

You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to...

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare...

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be...