In Philippians 3, Paul tells us about the importance of knowing Christ. Just as there are different levels of intimacy with those around us, there are also different levels of intimacy with Christ. Paul reminds and encourages us that we should desire such a level of intimacy with Christ that knowing him is worth more than all other things/knowledge in the world.
Philippians 2 teaches how disunity comes from self-interest and how the church requires a deeper connection than just a social club. Paul uses two examples to describe what servants of Christ look like and reminds us of the importance of bringing others’ interests above our own.
In the books of Romans and Philippians, Paul admonishes the disciples to shine like stars in their warped and crooked generation. When it is dark, is when stars are seen the best. Disciples of Christ can shine like stars by holding onto the word of life, and by conducting themselves in a manner worthy of Christ.
Have you ever lost something important to you and spent hours searching for it? In Luke 15, Jesus shares 3 parables that reflect God’s attitude toward the lost and the extent he will go to find them. God was willing to become human and die just for us to have a chance at being found. How far will you go for the lost?
In Philippians, Paul reminds us of the importance of reflecting Jesus’ mindset in how we react to the world around us. The world’s mindset is peace through strength; Jesus’ mindset is peace through humility. Just as Jesus (though fully God) did not elevate himself, we too must humble ourselves so that God may be glorified in us.
Philippians 1 shares how we can be joyful in our partnership with the church and Christ. We see that the mark of the disciple is one who conducts themselves in a way worthy of the Gospel regardless of their situation. Paul’s faith was prison-proof. Is your faith pandemic proof?
“Today” is a word that reflects being in the moment or living in the present. There are opportunities and decisions we make each day or today that impact us and shape us into who we will be tomorrow. Hebrews 3 is both an encouragement and a warning for us to make the right decisions today so we can be who God wants us to be in the future.
How can our lives make a real impact in the world around us? Listen in as Mark and Connie Mancini explain why the message of the cross is so important for galvanizing faith. They remind us that, as Christians, we are not the center of our universe; Jesus is. Therefore, if we are truly going to follow Christ, we need to go ALL IN.
We cannot avoid the storms of life, so where is your safe place in the midst of it? In Matt. 14 (22-33), Peter learned that the safest place was not in the boat with the other disciples but rather on the water in the middle of the storm in the presence and connection of Jesus. He understood that, the moment of trial is the moment we NEED to connect with God and that hard times won’t last forever; the storm will end eventually.
How can we be safe in the COVID world? The Israelites wandering in the desert also worried about where the safest place would be. They were so worried that they took their eyes off God and wanted to return to slavery while rebelling against God. But God often uses the thing that is hurting us to actually bring about our salvation. Therefore, the safest place is when we are gazing upon God (no matter what is going on around us).