In writing these devotions through the book of Philippians, it’s felt at times as if I were skipping a rock right across the surface of the text. There are so many depths we’ve had to sail…
Read More
One of the themes of Philippians is the attitude of our minds—are we operating from the mindset of the world or the mindset…
Read More
Today’s Treasure is one of the reasons Philippians is beloved by so many. The encouragement of the Lord’s presence to calm our anxieties and turn to Him in prayer, trusting…
Read More
What a joy it is to contemplate and sing about the day we will join our Lord in heaven. This rollicking hymn and others like it are a balm to my weary soul, especially when singing it with…
Read More
Effort. Striving. Pressing on. It seems contrary to the grace that those who are saved by faith should still be expected to give effort—or does it…
Read More
For a first-century Jew living in Palestine, Saul of Tarsus (who we know as Paul) had it all. He counted among his blessings that he’d been circumcised when he…
Read More
When reading through Philippians, it’s not difficult to find that one of the main themes is joy. As I’ve dug deeper, there are many other…
Read More
As we have worked our way through Paul’s letter to his beloved friends in Philippi, we’ve observed not only his genuine affection for these believers, but also an…
Read More
Today’s Treasure passage begins with “Therefore.” Say it with me: “What’s it there for?” I’m tempted to look back at the verses immediately prior and conclude, “Wow! After all that Jesus has…
Read More
Yesterday we considered Philippians 2:5–8 in light of the implications of Christ’s humility for our own call to follow in His steps and…
Read More
Yesterday we saw that humility is defined, in part, as “a readiness to forget oneself and to exalt others.” Frankly, I’m pretty forgetful, but one thing I rarely…
Read More
We ended last week with the double gift of faith and persecution. Though we found that there truly is encouragement to be found in suffering for…
Read More
Yesterday we saw that Paul calls us to regard our heavenly citizenship in Christ as our first and highest allegiance. This isn’t to say that our…
Read More
Up until this point in his letter to the Philippian believers, Paul has been giving them an update of his own activities and welfare. But he’s not simply…
Read More
What do you eagerly aspire to? I don’t need to think very long or hard to bring to mind several of my own hopes, dreams, and goals. We moved…
Read More
When the world came to a halt last year and the lockdowns and quarantines began, how did you expect to spend your time? Did you see an opportunity…
Read More
We’ve all been there. The question coming unexpectedly: “How can I pray for you?” I don’t know about you, but I need to prepare to answer…
Read More
Joyful remembrance. Longing for those we love. Separation from our family. After a year of enforced separation from loved ones…
Read More
When I began to study Hosea, I knew that I would discover treasures of God’s love and mercy in this portion of his holy, inspired, inerrant, and all-sufficient word. But…
Read More
We arrive at last to the final chapter of Hosea. In chapter 14 we find a model of true, mindful, heartfelt repentance and the Lord’s turning from his anger as a result…
Read More