Bible Commentary & Daily Devotional

 Philippians 4 - Growth Mindset           This passage exemplifies the Christian growth mindset.  You and all members of your team have incredible potential.  You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.  It’s the mindset of the leader that is transformed by the Holy Spirit.  Daily.  The servant leader is full of joy.  Renewed every morning.  We are content in every situation.  For God our Father is the only source of joy.           When should we pray again?  Always and in everything.           When should we be filled with the fruit of our salvation - the righteous character produced in us by Christ Jesus?  Always.           When and in what things should we look out for the interests of others, the needy, the poor, the helpless?  Always and in everything.           The Christian leader sees the explosive potential in every person.  He creatively develops the team.  We inspire others because God has promised us that His Kingdom is forcefully advancing and that we can

 Philippians 4:1-3 - Settle Disputes           It is good and pleasing to God when we settle disputes.  Coworkers in Christ, like Eudia and Syntyche mentioned in this passage, may need help to resolve their disputes.  Alas, the world needs lawyers.  If God so chooses, He can give any person a discerning mind (Psalm 119:169).  The prayer of every young lawyer should be for such a gift from God.  Lord Jesus, please give all your saints discerning minds.  Help us to understand right from wrong and as Paul encourages here help us to keep our minds focused on what matters to God.           I conceive that this is important to God on the micro level.  That is, it is an affront to God to have brothers and sisters feuding.  It’s scandalous and burdensome to the Holy Spirit.  We have all we need to live godly lives.  We have the Spirit of Christ living in us.  Paul tells us that if we put into practice what we learn in the New Testament the “God of peace will be with you” (3:9).  Yes, it is ess

 Philippians 3:8-21 - Model Core Values           I like how Paul says here that we are a work in progress (8:12-14).  Ain’t that the truth.           Every organization has honesty listed as one of its core values.  Good, great actually.  But the reality is there are a lot of spin artists out there.  They say they stand on the inerrancy of Scripture as they flagrantly disobey the law of Christ and the way of Christ.  Embarrassing to say the least.           Let’s be honest (Proverbs 28:6).  Flattery and backslapping are boring.  Let’s be done with that approach.  Let’s listen to what Paul has to say here.  He says that being a Hebrew of Hebrews, a pure-blooded citizen of Israel, and a member of the tribe of Benjamin with strict obedience to the Jewish law is - wait for it - worthless.   Say that today and you risk being canceled.           Yet the truth is that God judged Israel and showed it irrevocably on the cross of Jesus Christ, in the resurrection, and in the complete destructio

 Philippians 3:1-7 - Whatever Happens           We simply don’t know what will happen.  Who will win the war, who will be the next president, will we make a profit, will the market go up, or will there be another pandemic, etc.  We don’t know if we’ll live long lives, or, like so many, have a life cut short.           But we do know a lot.  We know enough.  And have enough understanding to live good, godly lives.  We know that Jesus will return (2 Peter 3) and we know that God’s chosen people are those who put their faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:7-9).           So what?  Well, it’s a great day to live for Jesus.  I have no clue what the future holds, but I trust God.  Oh, what a long and winding road we’ve traveled to get this far.  And yet the journey has only begun.           Thank you Lord Jesus for your creativity; you are showing people our need for you.           May Christians offer something good to God.  Real and genuine.  Father God, we grieve for how we have so burdened

 Philippians 2:29 - Stones and Slingshots           God has a deadly sense of humor.  Humor is often hilarious because we see in it reality, tragic truth.  I think God uses similes to get our attention.  To show us how ridiculous we can be and the need for common sense amid foolishness.           We hear in this passage a stern call for genuine care for peoples’ welfare.  And a call not to turn away like so many do.  Do we genuinely care for what matters to Jesus Christ?  Christians.  We must prove ourselves worthy by the way we live.  We must work hard to show the results of our salvation.             Be like Timothy.  And Paul.  And Epaphroditus - who risked his life for the work of Christ.           Help us Lord God to work hard for you today without complaining or arguing.  And help us to live clean, innocent, and good lives.  May we give God honor.  We know that God protects those of childlike faith (Psalm 116:6).  May our faith be innocent and pure and childlike as we trust God.

 Philippians 2 - Against the Grain           This passage is tough.  It shouldn’t be.  But because of our human nature, it is.  It goes against the grain.  Against what society expects of us.  People are wired to want to impress others and to look after their interests.  We dress for success, fake it until we make it, and have a strong desire for honor and recognition.  The human condition.  The American way.  And yet the passage is clear, we are to have the same attitude that Jesus had (2:3).          G od’s way is different.  Citizens of heaven are different.  Different good.  God softens our hearts with the realization that He loves us - tenderly and compassionately.  In Saskatchewan farmer terms, God is the great cultivator of hearts - the Good Shepard, the Wise Farmer.  Simultaneously we realize that God is the One who brings justice and judgment with omnipotence.  That is a place of reverence and holy good fear.           What is the benefit of being a man or woman of Christ?  Re

 Philippians 1 - Fight Together           Paul is encouraging the Philippians to grow.  And to remember that it is Jesus Christ who will return to earth and judge every person (Romans 2:16).  The Bible says that, “there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good - for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.  For God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:10-11).           God’s standard of responsibility has been consistent from day one, “He will repay all people as their actions deserve” (Proverbs 24:12).  Sounds kinda ominous, and it is.  But it is good news.  People who trust God, people of faith in Jesus Christ, have all the resources they need to live as citizens of heaven.  And in this passage, Paul encourages us to live that way and to take the assignment seriously.  Let’s do that.  Why not!           The world has incredible turmoil right now (as it has for millennia).  There is a refusal to call out evil.  Ethics, and moral standards, are God’s domain.  He mad