The Secret of Contentment
As he concludes the book of Philippians, Paul gives us the secret to genuine satisfaction in life. It comes as we learn contentment with the circumstances God has placed us in and as we thank Him daily for all His gifts to us.
Killing the Serpent of Anxiety
Our passage today is an eminently practical one. The apostle Paul urges us to pursue harmony with one another, prayer and thanksgiving, and a renewed way of thinking. Over all of this is the admonition to keep rejoicing in the Lord. Doing these things is the answer to anxiety.
Coaching Advice from a Veteran Athlete
In the last half of Philippians 3, Paul gives us the key to finishing well in our Christian life: Do not get distracted from the goal, follow worthy examples, and maintain focus on the glory that lies ahead for all who are in Christ.
Treasures Worth Running After
Paul calls on us to abandon any confidence we might have in our own contributions to our standing with God and instead place all our reliance on the righteousness and sacrifice of Christ. He alone is worthy.
Demonstrating Christianity That Works
In our passage for today, Paul shows us how the example of selfless humility set by Jesus Christ works out in our everyday lives. By God's grace, we can live up to His ideal of true greatness.
Giving Up Our Rights
Today's passage gives us a window into the profound mystery of Jesus Christ's incarnation as a man who lived a fully human life among us, while still remaining God. It is the supreme example of humility--one that we are called to follow as we live for Him.
The Reason for Living
Paul's letter to the Philippians is often called "the epistle of joy." Joy and praise fill its pages, but not because Paul's life was trouble-free. He simply chose to concentrate on thanksgiving, prayer, and the hope of eternity with Jesus, as we see in the opening verses.
Dressed Up to Kneel Down
Whether we realize it or not, we are all engaged in an ongoing spiritual battle. Our only hope of standing firm against the attacks and temptations Satan throws at us is to look to God and appropriate the "armor" He has provided for our protection.
Under the Influence of the Spirit
What this world needs--what the church needs--is people of wisdom. And that means Christians who are obedient to God's Word and consistently applying its truths to every relationship in life. That is what this passage in Ephesians calls us all to be.
The Practice of Refusal and Renewal
As Christians we are "children of light" who are to shine forth the light of the gospel in this dark world. We do that by living pure lives that reflect the character of God. The apostle Paul offers some specific, practical steps by which we can accomplish that.