What do Christians living in 1st century Philippi and Christians living in the 21st century have in common? Both belong to increasingly marginalized minorities in countries where the culture espouses beliefs and values that contradict a Christian’s deepest commitment. How should we respond? Paul explains how in Philippians 1:27-30. Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

We’re called to know the message of the gospel, keep to this message, share this message and invest this message in others. Very simply: we’re called to be faithful to what God has said in His Word. The measure of whether we’re being faithful to defend and pass on the gospel message is in investing the […]

What’s your center, your north star, the principle or truth that helps you navigate your life and lets you know when you’re off center? In this passage, we read one of the better known statements by Paul where he says, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” What does that mean? […]

Paul, writing from prison, wants to remind fellow Christians that though his circumstances aren’t ideal they’re being used by God as a platform to tell others about Jesus. We need to be reminded that if God wants the gospel to get to someone it will indeed get there and that circumstances are not arbitrary or […]

The love that God wants us to have and show in our lives is a heart and life-stretching love; this is a love that is counter to most “loves” as most “loves” implicitly teach, “be committed to what you want rather than the needs and cares of others.” The love we see in the Book […]

What brings people to a church? For almost every person it’s a place, program, personality or a pastor. What keeps a person at a church? Relationships—every time. Paul’s words highlight: the relationship he had with the Philippians and the joy they brought him. Scripture: Philippians 1:3-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

One author said, “God has designed us to be together and He’s created us for community but indifference, isolation and competition has seduced us into thinking we need to look out for number one.” Paul and Timothy challenge that mindset and invite all the saints in Jesus at Philippi and all the saints at Foothills […]

Confession is a powerful tool that God has given to us to retool or recalibrate our relationship regarding our thoughts, attitudes and affections so that we’re walking in a right relationship with God and others. David is writing about an experience that he wants to pass onto God’s people about what happens when sin is […]

When we believe in Jesus and the victory he made through his cross/resurrection, we, despite having dirty hands, an impure heart and continually lifting up our lives to ideas and/or persons that are false and empty, we enter into God’s presence with clean hands and a pure heart. Not on account of what we’ve done […]

A fool is someone who lives their life without the direction or acknowledgment of God. In their heart they say “there is no God” even if they simultaneously confess the contrary with their mouth. Psalm 14 calls us to move from practical atheism and empty forms of religion and lip service to joy in Christ. […]