Our Blog

Read Philippians 1:8-11.
“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (v. 11).

“May you always be doing those good, kind things that show you are a child of God,” one author paraphrases the first words of today’s text – filled to overflowing with the actions and attitudes that bring glory to our Heavenly Father.
How can we overflow like that? Paul gives us the key in the preceding two verses. First, our love is to abound more and more. This is God’s agape love, the chief characteristic of His presence in us. He gave it to us when He saved us (Romans 5:5) and wants it to grow and bless others. Second, we are to “approve things that are excellent” – not just good things or better things, but excellent things. The Greek here indicates approval after testing; God wants us to compare ideas, doctrines, actions, and choose those that best exemplify His Person and teaching.
Perhaps we could paraphrase the paraphrase and say: May you always be growing in divine love, always testing, approving, and practicing the most excellent graces and doctrines, so that by them you may portray to others the righteousness that God places in our hearts; and thus, you will glorify and honor Him.
Our fruitfulness should be a picture of love and of a high quality of spiritual life. It will honor God and attract others to Him. (Steven Hight)

Loving excellently – what greater thing could we do?

Read John 14:1-6.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again,
and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (v. 3).

The disciples of Jesus were having a bad day! Jesus was still with them; they could see and touch him. He had just washed their feet. But all that good news had been negated by the bad news of 13:32: Jesus was soon going to leave them. And worse yet, Jesus had predicted that one of them would betray Him. It all made no sense to their worldview, and their confidence about the future disappeared like the morning dew. Like the psalmist in our verse yesterday, their spirits were “cast down within them.”
Jesus immediately begins the process of building their confidence on a firmer foundation. It is as though Jesus is saying in these opening verses of John 14, “Can you only trust me when you can see me?” It is a question he is asking to each of us!
Jesus wanted His disciples, including us, to understand that His Word should be a greater source of confidence than His presence. For Jesus, absence does not make the heart to wander. He is working just as much for us in His absence as in His presence! It is far better to be present with Him “there” than for Him to be present with us here. It was not until after Pentecost that the disciples were able to grasp what Jesus was saying. May the Holy Spirit also help us place more confidence in His Word than in His presence. (Gordon Snider)
“Time is filled with swift transition.
Naught of earth unmoved can stand.
Build your hopes on things eternal.
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.”
--- Jennie Wilson

Read John 20:19-23.

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you” (v. 19).

“Look, see who’s coming!” You and I know people whose entrance into a room changes the atmosphere. Some bring negativity with them – they look like they are about to fire the first shot into an otherwise tranquil crowd. Others bring in optimism – their first words upon entering bring hope. We hope that through the power of the resurrected Lord, we will be ambassadors of peace.
Exhausted by the emotions associated with Christ’s death and the haunting question, “What now?” the disciples huddled together in fear and uncertainty. Into that setting came the One who was the focus of their emotions. The transformative entrance of Christ can hardly be imagined.
Several things of significance happened in that room. They received proof of who Jesus was – He showed them His hands and side, v. 20. They received His purpose for them – “So send I you,” v. 21. They received power – “He breathed on them,” v. 22. They received principles for preaching reconciliation (Only God can forgive sins.), v.23. They received what was likely their greatest and immediate need – peace, vs. 19 and 21. Without peace, the things mentioned above are devalued. We must have His peace. The peace of Christ is the foundation upon which we can fabricate Christian character and ministry. (Lonnie Witt)
What a treasure I have In this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
so secure that no power Can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
--- Warren Cornell

Don’t huddle privately. Proclaim publically!