Chris Tomlin – Be Still…

Philippians 4:4-7 – When to Pray

This wisdom from the apostle Paul to the Philippians closes out our theme of “The Holy Spirit & Prayer.” The message that rings out for me is, don’t worry, simply pray. Trust that Jesus will bring his joy and peace. It sounds like it should be easy, but it’s not.

People worry. We can’t help it. Whether it’s something simple like figuring out what to have for dinner that will make everyone happy, to the crazy thoughts that fill your head as you wait up for your child who is way past curfew, to wondering how your family will ever survive after you’re gone. Sometimes our thoughts just get the best of us, and that’s when we should bring this text to mind and cling to its truth. Continue reading “Philippians 4:4-7 – When to Pray”

Ephesians 2:8-10 – Grace

Read Ephesians 2:8-10

Since we’re talking about salvation, we must mention grace. If you’ve been around a church for even a minute, you’ve probably heard that word bounced around. Don’t mistake God’s grace with how we act when we’re being “graceful.” It’s not about how delicately we walk. Grace is what God freely gives.

Grace is another way to think about forgiveness. When you think of all the sinful things you’ve done and will do, the “secret sauce” that God uses to forgive us, redeem us, and save us is called grace. We don’t deserve such a gift, and yet God stands ready to shower us with this amazing grace. There’s a poem by that name, “Amazing Grace,” written by John Newton in the 1700s and then put to music in the 1800s, and we still sing it in church today. Chris Tomlin recorded my favorite version by adding a powerful chorus. Be moved as you listen here. Continue reading “Ephesians 2:8-10 – Grace”

Ephesians 6:12 – Who is Your Enemy?

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Have you ever wondered where you actual enemies were? It’s not the backstabbing coworker or the troublemaker on the playground. This memory verse reminds us that our true enemies are unseen, evil spirits. How does that make you feel? We’re likely to feel uneasy, to the say the least, when we realize that we’re powerless over something we cannot see.

Context: Paul wrote to the Ephesians about these invisible enemies to make a point about God’s power. Again we look at the armor of God as our protection, and this verse explains why it is so important that we allow God to be our defender. For foes such as are described in our verse, we definitely need more than our own power. Continue reading “Ephesians 6:12 – Who is Your Enemy?”

Colossians 2:8 – Knowing Jesus

^“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)

The rise of social media and fake news continues to capture our attention, so this verse may be reassuring and affirm our need for Jesus. We are also reminded that Christ-like thinking is what we should strive for, avoiding all other nonsense. Knowing Jesus, then, is crucial for us to be able to have such discernment.

Context: Paul speaks to the Colossians in this whole chapter about the dangers of the world, the corruption of sin, and how Jesus is the answer to all of it. Paul is encouraging the new believers of the freedom our new lives in Christ will bring. Knowing Jesus is key, and this verse helps us remember that. Continue reading “Colossians 2:8 – Knowing Jesus”

Leviticus 7:22-38 – Final Words

Read Leviticus 7:22-38

For now, our discussion about the sacrificial system has come to a close. I, for one, am breathing a sigh of relief. The book of Leviticus challenges readers today to whom these laws don’t seem relevant. Yet God still speaks to us through his word, even when we don’t understand how it can possibly apply to us.

These final two directions focus on fat consumption and the meat portions for priests. We’ve heard before how God wants us to avoid eating animal fat and how he cares for his servants, the priests. Through these practices, we see how much God cared for his people and wanted to be a good Father. Continue reading “Leviticus 7:22-38 – Final Words”