Confidence in the Gospel (Philippians 1: 6-8)
Confidence in the Gospel (1:6-8) Paul’s joy and gratitude in prayer are explained and defended in verses 6-8 before he prays for their ongoing spiritual maturity. Verse 6 is a pivotal verse that really establishes his gratitude and prayer for the saints in Philippi. Pray and Read Philippians 1:6-8. Many pastors have an entrepreneurial spirit. They like to cast a vision and develop a plan to fulfill that vision. But, so often, the strategy that underlies the vision and the plan…
Partnership in the Gospel (Philippians 1:3-5)
Paul opens with a brief greeting and benediction. He refers to himself and Timothy as servants. He had no need to defend his apostolic authority with the saints in Philippi (Acts 16). In this next section he includes his usual thanksgiving. Pray and Read Philippians 1:3-5. It has never been easy to develop the kind of community that lasts. Just as companies open and close, so groups form and dissolve frequently. It is rare to be a part of something that…
Children of the Living God (Hosea 1:10-2:1)
God has called Hosea to warn Israel both verbally and visually. Hosea was calledto marry a wife of whoredom and to have children of whoredom as an expressionof God’s judgment. But the chapter concludes with a word of hope.Pray and Read Hosea 1:10-2:1.Remember 2020? Murder hornets. Firenadoes. Killer asteroids. Millions ofCicadas. And there was one other thing…Every week brought another warning.Eventually we stopped reacting. We just shrugged and said, “What’s next?”Israel had done the same thing. Hosea had been warning…
Children of Whoredom (Hosea 1:3b-9)
God warns the unfaithful nation of Israel through Hosea’s marriage, children, andmessage.Pray and Read Hosea 1:2-9.Introductions of the family would have been super awkward: “This is my wifeGomer, you’ve probably seen her around town…anyways. This is our sonBloodshed, he’s just turned 7 and we can’t get him to stop playing with knives!The little tyrant. This is Unloved, honestly, we hardly notice her really. What isshe now…5? Last (and certainly least—wink, wink) is our son, Rejected. He’sjust entering the terrible twos—you…