From: September 29, 2020
From: September 29, 2020
From: September 29, 2019
From: September 29, 2018
From: September 29, 2017
The Lord promised that a “Redeemer” would come to Zion. In Hebrew, it is “Goel,” which is often translated “Kinsman-Redeemer,” as Boaz was to Ruth. Certainly, Jesus is our human “kinsman.” He is God with us, the Word made flesh, sharing all our condition, yet without sin. “Zion” is another name for Jerusalem or Israel, but points to the true spiritual Israel, which includes both Jew and Gentile, the latter being grafted in by faith. The apostle Paul interpreted this verse as taking place at the Second Coming of Christ, when the remnant of Israel would finally “turn from transgression” and turn to faith in Jesus as Messiah (Rom. 11:25-27). Jesus is our Redeemer. He has come and He is coming again.
From: September 29, 2016
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Lord as a heroic redeemer coming clothed for battle, not with iron and steel, but with righteousness, salvation, vengeance and zeal. The apostle Paul must have had this passage in view as the Spirit inspired him to expand upon it to describe the “armor of God” (Eph. 6:10-17). Isaiah’s prophecy spoke anthropomorphically, using the metaphor of ancient armor to describe the attributes of the Lord, who is Spirit. Yet, because of Christ, who has come to abide in those who believe, we have access to this real armor of God for the spiritual warfare waged against us. We put on Christ.
From: September 29, 2015
Writing while imprisoned in Rome, Paul expressed his readiness to die and be with Christ, while recognizing the need to remain for the sake of sharing the gospel. In chains or not, living or dying, the apostle wanted the believers at Philippi to know that he trusted Christ in all things and wanted Him to be glorified in all ways. The indomitable joy of Christ was his. He may have been in chains, but the gospel was unchained and so was his soul. Paul was not suicidal. He did not have a death wish. He was merely expressing the reality for one whose old life had already died with Christ and whose new life was risen with Christ. What could the Romans do to Paul? They could kill his body. But they couldn’t touch his soul. His life was already hidden in Christ.
From: September 29, 2014
Paul prayed that the Philippians would understand what “really matters.” He prayed that their priorities would focus on becoming more and more like Jesus until the Day of completion when Christ returns. What are you focused on today? Will today’s concerns matter tomorrow? Lord, help us to focus on what “really matters” today.
From: September 29, 2013
Paul told the Christians at Philippi that it was their “partnership in the gospel” that filled his prayers for them with thankfulness, joy and confidence. This seems a good definition for the church– a partnership (fellowship, communion, kononia) of persons who have heard, believed, been saved by and live to proclaim the gospel (good news about Jesus). Today’s church doesn’t need more church members. It needs more gospel partners! Are you a partner of the gospel?
From: September 29, 2012
The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers at Philippi with this word about God’s continuing work in our salvation. The work of God in us not only has justified us, it is sanctifying us and will one day bring us to glory with Christ. We lean on Christ not only for our salvation, but for our following and working. We depend on Him for all.
From: September 29, 2011
What will the 4th quarter of your life look like? Will you be more like Jesus? Will young people be attracted to you? Will you go out like a consuming spiritual flame or with a complaining whimper?