On Good Friday, we remember Jesus' death on the cross. What did that act accomplish? Why did he have to die? At the foundation of Christianity is the fact that Jesus died our death so that we can have a restored relationship with our Heavenly Father. That is why we can call the event of Jesus' death good and why it is worthy to be remembered and celebrated.

In one of the most famous verses of the Bible, Paul says that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. What does he mean? Does he mean we can fly? Remembering that Paul is chained in prison as he writes this, we unpack what it is that Paul is saying. In it, we find the key to contentment that is not based on our circumstances, but is based on our Savior.

For some people, anxiety is an occassional issue and for others, it is a day to day battle. As a culture, we have all sorts of ways that we deal with stress and anxiety, but does the Bible give any answers. Paul, chained in prison and facing possible death, tells the Philippians not to be anxious but instead, to do something else. Could this be the key? May we be challenged and encouraged by the promise made in Philippians 4.

Salvation is only the beginning of the Christian life. Paul urges us not to become content with our faith, but to press forward toward Christ.

Peter's faith was not without it's faults, yet God was able to use him in powerful and mighty ways. His life should remind us that despite our many failures and feelings of inadequacy, God can still use us as long as we are willing to step out in faith.

Compared to other men, Paul had every reason to be confident in his resume. But in looking at his own accomplishments and pedigree, he proclaims them garbage. Paul's point is that our only hope of justification is in Jesus and not in our accomplishments. Where does your hope lie?

Timothy and Epaphroditus are two of Paul's greatest helpers. In this passage, Paul holds these two men up as good examples of the humility and selflessness he has been talking about and because of that, they are to be honored. Who do we honor? Are we living honorable lives? May we be challenged by what Paul says is honorable in a person.

When Paul says to "work out your salvation",he seems to be contradicting the important notion of salvation coming through faith and not works. What does he mean with this short phrase? As we discuss working out our salvation, we are challenged to live each day focused and devoted to Jesus.

Moses was one of the greatest leaders to ever live. So when he died, a huge void was left and the pressure on the next leader would be huge. Enter Joshua, Moses' right hand man. How could Joshua follow Moses and not be paralyzed by fear? He ends up becoming a great leader not because of him, but because God was faithful to his promise to be with him always. Because of this, Joshua could boldly lead the Israelites and take them into the Promised Land. Joshua's story is not about how great Joshua was, but about how powerful and faithful God was to Him and promises to be in each of his followers. With this knowledge, we can boldly live out who He has called us to be.

Throughout the Bible, there is a call to not be "of this world." What does that mean? In Philippians 2, Paul gives a glimpse of how the life of a Christian is to look differently from the lives of non-believers. Paul says to the church to care more about the interests of others, to live with an attitude of humility. And the example of humility is Jesus. And as we treat people that way, they understand the gospel because they are seeing it in action. How do we treat one another in the church and outside the church? Is there a difference? Do we treat people like Jesus would or like the world teaches?