June 2025
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(Read Philippians 4:6-7) In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul gives the church another command. This isn’t like the first two in 4:4-5 (rejoice and be gentle). While they were a choice of something to do, this new command is a choice of something not to do. Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything.” Stop for a
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(Read Philippians 4:6) Have you ever encountered a rude person? They are usually harsh, ill-mannered, and impolite. Considerate, compassionate, and courteous are not words you would use to describe them. They are not gentle and kind. I encountered someone like this last week. In our brief encounter in the restaurant, he was short-tempered, insensitive, offensive,
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(Read Philippians 4:4) There are many reasons to have joy in the Lord, even during trouble. No situation is too challenging for the Lord to work through. Even when times seem dark and hopeless, there is joy to be found in Jesus. When I went through a tough time of ministry, I had an older
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(Read Philippians 4:2-3) It is right to teach and preach unity in the church. We need healthy doses of it to remind us of our gospel mission to carry out the will of the Lord. When specific altercations of disunity arise, they must be handled directly and promptly. As a pastor, I frequently preach unity
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(Read Philippians 4:1) Amos asked, “How can two walk together unless they agree?” (Amos 3:3). Agreeing in the Lord is not “agreeing to disagree.” It is surrendering self-desire and crucifying flesh to obey the truth of Christ’s Word to accomplish His will in the body of Christ. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul addressed moments of
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(Read Philippians 3:21) I recently started exercising…again. When I begin to establish a routine, it seems to be interrupted, mainly by fried foods and sweet desserts. Did you know stressed spelled backward is desserts? You can thank me later. I try to run, bike, exercise, and eat healthy. I’m not as disciplined as I need to be,
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(Read Philippians 3:20) I am a citizen of the United States of America. Perhaps you are as well. I have a good friend from another country who went through the legal process of becoming an American citizen. We both love our country. However, we both love something else even more – being citizens of heaven
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(Read Philippians 3:18-19) I vividly remember my parents telling me often to choose my friends wisely. They desired me to befriend other Christians and spend most of my time with them. It wasn’t that they didn’t want me hanging around or being friendly to those who weren’t believers. They knew “bad company corrupts good behavior”
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(Read Philippians 3:17) Mr. Tom was a great godly example when I was growing up. So was Gerald, Mark, Will, Bruce, my dad, the pastor, the youth pastor, and so many more. We all need examples in the faith to model after. They help us learn to pray, study our Bibles, walk out Christian disciplines,
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(Read Philippians 3:15-16) As a teenager, I thought I was mature for my age. Looking back, in some ways, I was, and in others, I wasn’t. My parents were examples of maturity I attempted to follow. They helped me see areas I needed to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually. As I have aged, my understanding
stephen R Harrison 