-
“A Clean Heart” “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” –Psalm 51:10 If there was one phrase I often heard as a kid, it was “Clean your room”. Having a clean room was one of my mom’s most required chores. I learned “shortcuts” to finish this task faster.…
-
“To The Lord” “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” –Joel 2:12 If someone asked you to list the top three words associated with Easter, would repentance make the list? It is likely to not even be in the top ten. Words like Jesus, crucifixion, and resurrection…
-
Lent is a 40-day (47 if you count the Sundays, including Easter) religious observance that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on the Saturday before Easter Sunday. It is a season used to prepare our hearts, deepen worship, create reflection, encourage submission, promote self-denial, induce self-examination, invite repentance, and produce remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days…
-
(Read Philippians 1:7) Early in life, my mom taught me to share. Maybe I should have said “told” me to share. This usually happened after I was being selfish with something. In return for her correction, I would reluctantly share what I had with others (if you can call that sharing). Paul told the Philippians…
-
(Read Philippians 1:7a, 8) As expressed in earlier verses, Paul believed he was justified to feel confidence, thankfulness, and joy. He says, “Since I have you in my heart.” What does this mean? Paul wasn’t merely thankful for their generous gift. They had become endeared to him, and he had a sincere emotional and spiritual attachment. He loved them!…
-
(Read Philippians 1:6) In only a few verses, Paul mentioned critical components of Christian fellowship, such as prayer, thankfulness, and the gospel. He moves to the ongoing daily growth God wants to accomplish in every believer – discipleship. He is “confident” God’s beginning work in the Philippian believers will be “completed” at the second coming of Christ…
-
(Read Philippians 1:5, 7b) Paul was thankful for the Philippians foremost for their partnership in the gospel (v. 5). The word “partnership” is the word koinonia or “fellowship.” Christian fellowship hinges on sharing the gospel. Paul said the gospel was “the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are…
-
(Read Philippians 1:4, 9-11) How often do you pray for others? It’s easy to begin our prayers with “God help me” and “Here’s what I need.” Fellowship with other believers includes praying for them. Paul said this brings him joy (v. 4), a significant theme in this epistle. To pray for other believers, you must be in fellowship with…
-
(Read Philippians 1:3) One of the ways we grow in fellowship with other believers is through being thankful for them. Thankfulness is typically done in response to something done for you. It’s primarily reactive. While that’s necessary, what if our thankfulness was proactive? What if it was based more on what Christ has done for and…
-
(Read Philippians 1:1-2) There’s nothing like being with God’s people. I look forward to it every Sunday morning, small group, church function, and encounter with another believer. If I can fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, I’ll be encouraged and challenged in the Word, prayed for, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Christians cannot do…
stephen R Harrison 