This episode looks at Haggai 1:2, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.”

This episode looks at Haggai 1:1, “In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest:” This verse sets the stage for the book of Haggai, and it also gives us a picture of the various roles God gives to his people, all of which are fulfilled by Christ Jesus.

This episode looks at Colossians 4:18, “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” May we remember, pray for, send help to, and advocate on behalf of those who are suffering for the sake of Christ’s name. And may God give us undeserved help to do this and to live life in a way that honors him.

This episode looks at Colossians 4:17, “And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” May we hold one another accountable to do the ministry that God has set before us, and may he give us clarity as to what exactly our ministry should be in a world where we cannot do everything.

This episode looks at Colossians 4:16, “And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.” This verse continues on the theme of interdependence between churches. We also discuss the sufficiency of Scripture even without the letter to the Laodiceans contained in it.

This episode looks at Colossians 4:15, “Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.” Paul encourages the Colossians to warmly greet two nearby churches. Though we should have independent church identities, we should live with a spirit of humility and interdependence between churches.

This episode looks at Colossians 4:14, “Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.” May we love one another on to the finish line of faith like Luke, and may we watch one another so that we do not lose brothers and sisters along the way like Demas.

This episode looks at Colossians 4:13, “For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.” Paul praises Epaphras for the prayers and ministry he has done for the Colossians and others. May we not get caught up in the urgency of problems, but instead may we remember to lift up and celebrate faithful ministers of God’s word among us.

This episode looks at Colossians 4:12, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” This passage helps us understand group identity in healthy proportion, with servant hood to God as our primary identity. With this identity in place, we should eagerly desire in our prayers for all of our brothers and sisters to be brought to full maturity and assurance in God.

This episode looks at Colossians 4:11, “and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.” These Jewish believers comforted Paul in his great struggles among the Jews for evangelism (cf. Rom. 9:1–5). May we look for opportunities to by example be a comfort to others struggling in the faith.