Category: Bible (Page 249 of 361)

Pauls introduces his letter to those following the way of Jesus in Philippi with greetings and a prayer:

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…

As life goes on, I experience how love grows and deepens and matures. My wife and I took vows 35 years ago. We married and honeymooned in one type of love, but over the years that love deepened and matured into a different sort of love. It’s hard to explain, but there certainly exists a great deal more knowledge and insight today than all those years ago.

How does one grow love? Following this prayer, Paul describes his situation of imprisonment and chains—the same fate reserved for the believers reading his letter.

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear I that still have.

We abound in love when we struggle together, when we stand firm in the one Spirit, when we strive together as one in the faith, when we value humility over selfish ambition.

I don’t want to sound simplistic, because so much work goes into a healthy marriage and a healthy church. But let’s not forget that so much good comes to both from struggling together shoulder to shoulder.

Philippians 1 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Austin Kehmeier

Often Paul the Apostle got on a roll when corresponding with the various churches under his watch. I picture his scribe feverishly scribbling to keep up.

In one short section of his letter to the church in Ephesus Paul hit bullseye after bullseye:

Walk in the way of love.

Not even a hint of sexual immorality.

You are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

Make the most of every opportunity.

Be filled with the Spirit.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Every point deserves careful thought and study on its own. Indeed, sermons have been preached and books written on each. Paul popped them off one after another, like a vocal artist at top form.

The Lord’s ideas for living with each other clearly emerge: love, submit, don’t waste opportunities. But how can a weak individual like myself do any of this?

There’s the beauty of it all. Paul underscores the power source—be filled with (controlled by) the Holy Spirit.

Otherwise I cannot do any of this for very long. But the Lord provides a way to actually live such a life, and for that Paul reminds us to give thanks. The Lord gives us ways to best live with one another, and the Lord gives us a relationship with the Holy Spirit to do so.

Ephesians 5 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Thomas Bormans

Moses edged his way up a mountain quaking under his feet, smoke billowing above him while thunder jarred his senses. The Lord met with Moses in front of the entire nation of Israel on Mount Sinai. Moses hiked back down the mountain with a set of commandments, which start like this:

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.

These commandments, the basis for worship and life and laws, have guided our behavior for thousands of years. Whether you keep them—or struggle with them—they provide a sound strategy for investing your life.

I notice when I read articles on my phone (I’m sort of a news junky), that the stories are often followed by flashy ads for investment opportunities. Most feel sketchy, and I don’t want them bombarding me in my feed, so I resist the click. Still, fresh offers appear daily.

When considering my investment strategy, I hope for solid results. I save money for retirement, and invest in what I hope will serve me and my wife for the long-term. Most all of us invest in this way.

So as I read about the giving of the 10 Commandments, I’m reminded of the long, long, long term success of investing in God and his word. Not always flashy, but guaranteed for long-term success.

Exodus 19 & 20 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya

Moses found himself slammed day after day. From morning until evening, Moses served as a judge for all the disputes, major and minor, among the people of Israel. At this point, roughly one million people trekked from Egypt to the promised land. A lot of people makes for a lot of squabbles.

Fortunately for Moses, his father-in-law Jethro, arrived for a visit. Looking on the chaotic scene, and the weariness of Moses, Jethro proposed a solution. Create a series of other judges to hear the people, and bring only the most difficult cases to you. Simple and elegant.

What happened next? Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.

Moses, in his wisdom, jumped at this solution to lighten his load. Along with helping him, Jethro’s idea developed a cohort of wise judges to bless the nation. Most disputes could now be settle quickly, with less time to fester and grow worse.

Good advice is only good if you act upon it. Where might you need a Jethro to speak into some challenging aspect of your life? Pray for wise friends with elegant solutions, and pray for the wisdom to listen and act.

Exodus 18 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Levi Jones