Wednesday, June 17, 2015



Philippians 1:7-8
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.




Reflection
The second part of Paul’s thanksgiving speaks to the way God is working in their lives in the present: the blessing of sharing each other’s burdens in the gospel. Where have you seen God’s grace at work this week?


Tuesday, June 16, 2015



Philippians 1:3-6
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ
Jesus.






Reflection
In our scripture today, Paul begins a three part thanksgiving. In this thanksgiving he celebrates God’s grace in the life of the community of believers. This first part of the
thanksgiving celebrates the grace God has bestowed on them in the past. In what ways has God blessed you in the past?


Monday, June 15, 2015



Philippians 1:1-2
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, 
together with the overseers and deacons 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.




Reflection
Our verses today, like any letter, are Paul’s address to his audience. This begins to open a window into the
community Paul is talking to.  His address is quite clearly to the people “in Christ” and “in Philippi.” This address will become more significant as we read on. Paul is setting the stage for his argument that God has sent these ministers of the Gospel for this time and this place, right now in
Philippi. What do you think it means to you that God called you to be His minister of Jesus Christ in this time and this place? How does that look in your life?


Weekly Theme June 14-20



Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 1:1-2)

              How many of you have faced moments in life where the future was uncertain? The truth is that life itself is uncertain. None of us are psychics. We do not know what tomorrow holds. This becomes readily apparent in times of transition. This is what makes them hard. But like all change in our lives we need to celebrate the opportunity of a new chapter while acknowledging our grief and naming what we have lost.   
Many of us would rather live without change. We would just love to have life be the same today, tomorrow, and the next day. It would be great to be able to live without having to change our ways and without the pain of having to say goodbye. But the truth is whether we want it or not, transitions happen. Even more important is that transitions are necessary. Children need to grow up and live lives on their own. This is the same for the church as well. The church needs change. The church needs to continuously rethink how to reach the next generation and how to serve their communities. Now all that is scary and contains things that are uncertain, but there is good news. There is one thing that is unchanging and is as relevant today as it ever has been: the Good News of Jesus Christ.
This week we will look at how Paul prepared the church in Philippi for the transition of a world without him. This first
section of Paul’s letter to Philippi perfectly encapsulates how we should face the changes and transitions that happen in our lives and in the life of the church.

Saturday, June 13, 2015



Luke 18:18-23
“A certain ruler asked him, ‘Good teacher, what I must I do to inherit eternal life?’  ‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered.  ‘No one is good – except God alone.  You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’  ‘All these I have kept since I was a boy,’ he said.  When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing.  Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven,  Then come, follow me.’  When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.”




Reflection
The story in today’s scripture is in sharp contrast to several of the passages we have considered this past week.  Instead, of an individual responding immediately this individual decides that the price to follow Jesus is too high.  He can’t walk away from the one thing that is standing between him and Jesus. 
He can’t give up his wealth.  This story teaches us that there are things that can get in the way of us making the decision to follow Jesus completely and totally. 
We tend to think that we don’t have any of those blocking factors in our lives that stand between us
and Jesus.  Take time today to investigate whether there is something that is preventing you from following Jesus right now and in a full complete way.


Saturday, June 20, 2015



Philippians 1:18b-26
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.




Reflection
Paul begins now to talk about his own situation. He is torn because he does not know his fate. But through all of this because he has the faith that no matter what happens to him there is cause for rejoicing.  If he lives he will continue to preach the good news and if he dies he will return home to Christ. We get worked up about so many things in our lives. Worries and stress overwhelm us but the truth is that in every moment and every situation there is a reason to rejoice. What can you rejoice about today?


Friday, June 12, 2015



Luke 5:27-28
 “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth.  ‘Follow me,’ Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.



Reflection

Here is another example of Jesus calling one of his inner core of disciples.  Levi, whom we call Matthew, was a tax collector and Jesus called him to follow.   We can begin to see a pattern emerging here.  When Matthew received Jesus call to follow him we are told that he left everything and followed Jesus.  Matthew didn’t hesitate one iota.  He left everything and responded to Jesus.  When Matthew responded right at that moment what did he leave behind?  We can guess that he left considerable wealth and a fairly comfortable way of life.  He didn’t even think about it.  He responded immediately and left everything behind.  Reflect on what you have had to walk away from in order to follow Jesus.  Have we left anything behind or do we try to take it all with us?


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