Project: Philippians

(Phil 1:10a) Strap on your archaeologist hat and grab your pick ax, because we are going to be digging for treasures today! We are going to pull out every excavation tool in our treasure hunter's toolbox, and we'll be digging deep. But, trust me, I'm confident you will find that this dig is worth the effort and sweat. I believe today's episode contains one of the most important insights that I've ever shared -- an insight from Scripture into the connection between love and holiness. Let's start digging!

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Hey! I'd love to hear from you! Reach me at: [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

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 (Phil 1:9b) What if Jesus invited you on a backpacking trip, would you want to go? I know I sure would! But what if he said that this was going to be a 10-week excursion up the most challenging mountain range in the world? What if He told you it was going to be the hardest thing you've ever done, but then he assured you that the view from the top would make it all worthwhile? Would you be willing to load up your backpack, strap on your mountain boots, and set off with him? If you're anything like me, such an invitation might make you hesitate a bit. But after a few moments of reflection, I'm quite certain that I would conclude that the opportunity to go on a journey like that with the Savior sounds like the most exhilarating adventure I can imagine. My only question would be, What should I pack?

Today we're going to look at two or three of the essential items that we're going to need to pack in with us, on our mountaintop trek with Jesus.

I'd love to hear from you! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Phil 1:9a) Today I just want to take a seat on the bench next to Paul and listen in as he demonstrates that activity that I believe was the beating heart of his ministry and the real power behind his explosive apostolic influence: PRAYER.I believe it is critical for me to pay close attention to his prayers because, whatever was on Paul's heart and mind when he bent his knees and turned his soul toward heaven, should be the central aim of my heart as well. (And -- spoiler aleart: I've got a ways to go!)

I'd love to hear from you! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In honor of the Christmas holiday, I'm taking a break from our normal trek through Philippians to bring you something entirely different...

I'd like to share with you a play I wrote years ago, inspired by the extraordinary events in the hills outside Bethlehem on the original Christmas night. Although fictionalized, this account is drawn from my research into the story and background of the Bethlehem shepherds (as recorded in Luke 2), stirred together with some holy imaginiation of what it might have been like to experience that holy night, not to mention the years that followed...

Music by Julius H. from Pixabay

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I am convinced that one of the main differences between a thriving, flourishing, life-filled Christian, and one who is just barely surviving, comes down to the presence or absence of spiritual soul-mates. But where do friendships like that come from? They are forged in the fox-holes and battlefields of life. Today we will discover that one of the secrets of Paul's own power and effectiveness in ministry was the gut-level friendships he established on the front-lines.

Please, make my day -- send me a note! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Phil 1:7-8) Today I want to point out for you an element of Paul's character that you may never have seen in him before. And, my friend, it is critical that we get a very clear picture of it because it just may be the single-most important missing ingredient from the lives of Christians (and especially Christian men) in out country today. It is a character quality that is stunning and beautiful to read about, but it is even more important to actually experience, because I am convinded that it is crucial for sustaining mental, spiritual, and emotional health in our lives and our churches.

I'd love to hear from you! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 (Phil 1:6) Who are you, really? When most of us tend to think of ourselves and our "identity" -- who we truly are -- as the person that we are right now. "I just am who I am," we assume, "nothing more, nothing less." The problem with that mentality is that it is all too short-sighted. If you want to think of yourself from a biblical standpoint (i.e., from God's perspective), then you'll need to take a step back and look at the much grander picture. From God's viewpoint, your identity is not defined by who you are right now, but by who you will become. True artists don't see their empty canvas. They see the masterpiece that will one day (and forever) be displayed on it. And that is how God sees us.

You, my friend, are God's masterpiece; unfinished, of course, but only for a brief moment. In God's eyes He can already see the perfect work of art that you will one day be. And that, my friend, is your true identity. This profound truth was deeply embedded in Paul's own heart and mind, and it is what brought him unending Joy even as he sat in a Roman dungeon. Join with me today as we listen to Paul reminiscing and rejoicing in this breathtaking reality.

I'd love to hear from you! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Phil 1:6) Quiverring knees or quiet confidence -- which best describes your heart when the storms of life overtake you? One of the many things I admire about Paul is the way he had learned to exude quiescent trust in the middle of circumstances that would have me quaking in my boots. I'll be honest: I'm a long way off from attaining apostolic levels of confidence in my life. But I think I've at least found a trail that leads there. And it starts by just taking some time to really ponder and probe the triumphant example that Paul left behind.

I'd love to hear from you! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Phil 1:5) The greatest news ever reported is wrapped up in one of the greatest words ever spoken: "Euanggelion". This ancient greek word may not sound familiar to you, but I'm sure you know the English translation. It is a word that has a history that reaches back thousands of years and stretches all the way to the end of time. It's a word that brought life-changing joy both to Paul and to the Philippians. Please join me today and we will spend the next few minutes unravelling some of the gorgeous threads in the history of this spectacular word.

I'd love to hear from you! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An old man sits shackled, imprisoned in a Roman dungeon, with the very real possibility of execution in his near future. But what is bursting out of this man's heart is not grief and anxiety. Instead, he is filled with genuine, grateful Joy. What could he possibly be so thankful about? In today's episode, we will get a glimpse into one of the most priceless and valued things in Paul's life: his connection and partnership with the people he deeply loves. And, along the way, we will dust off a word that has grown far too dim and fuzzy in many of our lives. The word is: "Fellowship".

References from this episode:

Hebrews 2:14

Philemon 1:6 (Titus 1:4)

2 Peter 1:4 (1 John 1:3-7)

Acts 2:42,44

2Corinthians 11:9

Acts 18:5

2 Corinthians 8:1-4

Romans 15:26

I'd love to hear from you! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.