Digging in Deeper: Philippians 1:20

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“…as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Here, Paul is talking about his current physical situation and how some folks are responding to it.  Just before v. 20 here, he talks about people who are sharing the Gospel out of both pure and selfish motives.  Either way, Paul says, the Gospel is proclaimed, which brings him joy.  Verse 20 is followed by his much more famous declaration that to live is Christ, but to die is gain. Read the rest…

Morning Musings: Psalm 139:4

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“Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Have you ever struggled with feeling known?  One of the challenges of social media today is that a person can have hundreds, even thousands of followers, but no one who really knows them.  We need to be known.  This desire isn’t just a symptom of an unhealthy ego, it is a fundamental need as humans. Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: Revelation 20:7-8

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“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Hell is hard.  Perhaps no orthodox Christian doctrine is as difficult for folks to get their hearts and minds around as is the notion that those who finally reject God will, upon final judgment, spend an eternity separated from Him in Hell.  And, I’ll say this as gently as I can: If the doctrine doesn’t give you at least a bit of unease, you may not be paying very much attention to it. Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: Proverbs 31:3-4; 8-9

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“Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink. . .Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Do you want to live like a king?  Who doesn’t?  And yet, what exactly does it mean to live like a king?  Most cultures certainly have an answer to that question.  It means getting to be wealthy.  It mean getting to have whatever–or whomever–you want.  It means getting to do whatever you want.  It means getting to go to neat places and meet amazing people.  It means getting to live like…well…a king. Read the rest…