Studies in Philippians and Colossians
The posts listed here are studies in the letters to the Philippian and Colossian churches.
- Philippians - Studies from Paul's letter to the Philippian church
- Thanking God for You – Philippians 1:3-6 - March 24, 2018 - I have been a believer for 50 years now. God has brought many fellow believers into my life. And I thank God for each of…
- God’s Not Finished With Me Yet – Philippians 1:6 - April 20, 2014 - Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet. I am a work in progress. Not by my own efforts. But by the one…
- Love Abounding In Knowledge – Philippians 1:9-11 - February 17, 2020 - Is your love abounding in knowledge that would give you insight into discerning God's will for your day-to-day life? That is Paul's prayer.
- Responding to Challenging Circumstances – Philippians 1:12 - May 20, 2019 - How do you respond to the challenging circumstance that you might find yourself in? Paul tells us that God can use us even then.
- To Live Is Christ and to Die Is Gain – Philippians 1:20-24 - February 25, 2014 - How many of us look forward to our physical death? I suspect not many. But, as Paul said, to die is gain. Because then we…
- Conduct Yourselves in a Worthy Manner – Philippians 1:27 - March 30, 2021 - Regardless of the circumstances that you might find yourself in, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
- The Privilege of Suffering for Christ – Philippians 1:29 - July 22, 2019 - Who likes to suffer? No one! But we have been given the privilege of suffering for Christ. Rather than complain about it, we should rejoice…
- Value Others Above Yourself – Philippians 2:3-4 - June 23, 2021 - How do we build up the body of Christ? One way is let go of selfishness and value other people within the body above yourself.
- The Exaltation of Jesus – Philippians 2:5-11 - July 30, 2012 - This early hymn is one of exaltation for Jesus, one who was fully God, who became fully man, and who died as a sacrifice for…
- Work Out Your Salvation – Philippians 2:12-13 - June 17, 2019 - How do you work out your salvation? With fear and trembling. Recognize that God is at work in you to accomplish his purpose. Work with…
- Rejoicing Is a Safeguard for the Believer – Philippians 3:1 - September 15, 2021 - Paul repeatedly instructs us to rejoice in the Lord. This is a safeguard that can keep discouragement at bay and keep our focus on him.
- The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ – Philippians 3:7-8 - April 6, 2021 - What do you have in this life that compares to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord? Nothing in this life can compare.
- Forgetting the Past and Looking Ahead – Philippians 3:12-14 - August 22, 2014 - As believers we should follow Paul's example. Forgetting our past failures and successes, and looking forward to what lies ahead.
- Live Up To What You Have Attained – Philippians 3:16 - April 7, 2021 - I find value in learning from the Scripture. But I have discovered that I need to live up to what I have attained in that…
- Living As Enemies of the Cross of Christ – Philippians 3:17-21 - December 23, 2013 - It is sad that many who call themselves Christians actually live as enemies of the cross of Christ, failing to honor him with their lives.
- Why Can’t We Get Along – Philippians 4:2 - June 22, 2020 - Whenever two or more people get together, we can find conflict. But as believers, we should be of one mind in Christ. And able to…
- Rejoice in the Lord Always – Philippians 4:4 - September 6, 2021 - When we look at the world around us, and our own lives, it might seem there is little to rejoice in. But we can always…
- Do Not Be Anxious About Anything – Philippians 4:6-7 - June 29, 2022 - There are many challenging things happening today. But Paul tells us not to be anxious about anything. Let God's peace rule in our hearts.
- What Do You Think About? – Philippians 4:8 - September 23, 2019 - What do you think about during your day? Think about godly things. Because those things that fill your mind will be reflected in your life.
- I Can Do All Things Through Christ – Philippians 4:13 - April 20, 2020 - Paul had learned the secret to contentment. A secret available to all of God's people. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
- A Fragrant Offering and Acceptable Sacrifice – Philippians 4:17-18 - January 15, 2023 - Never grow weary of helping others. God considers the help we provide to other people as a fragrant offering and an acceptable sacrifice.
- Colossians - Studies of Paul's letter the the church at Colossi
- Faith and Love that Spring from Hope – Colossians 1:4-5 - March 3, 2021 - The church at Colossae was known for their faith in Christ and love for other believers. And those had sprung from their gospel hope.
- Living Worthy of the Lord – Colossians 1:9-10 - April 13, 2021 - Can you live a life that is worthy of the Lord? We can with the knowledge and wisdom that the Holy Spirit gives. And that…
- A Divine Rescue Mission – Colossians 1:13 - March 24, 2021 - We delight in hearing about successful hostage rescues. But the greatest of all time was the divine rescue mission launched by God to free us.
- Reconciling All Things on Earth and in Heaven – Col. 1:19-20 - November 17, 2021 - Through the blood of Christ, shed on the cross, God is working to reconcile to himself all things. Both on the earth and in heaven
- Continue in your Faith – Colossians 1:22-23 - October 28, 2013 - You are not saved just by walking the aisle and saying the sinner's prayer. Salvation is for those who continue in their faith to the…
- Deceived by Fine-Sounding Arguments – Colossians 2:2-4 - April 8, 2014 - There are many teachers who will lead the unwary astray. Do not be deceived by fine-sounding arguments. Compare everything against Christ.
- Don’t Be Taken in by Deceptive Philosophy – Colossians 2:8 - April 20, 2021 - Paul warns us against being taken in by deceptive philosophies that abound in our world. Instead, keep your eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus.
- The Cross: A Look From the Other Side – Colossians 2:13-15 - October 14, 2013 - We most often see the physical side of the cross. But at the cross, Jesus defeated his enemies, and ours. The cross was his greatest…
- The Futility of Legalism – Colossians 2:20-23 - October 16, 2013 - The futility of legalism should be obvious to anyone who has attempted to live by a strict code of conduct. It never changes a person's…
- Set Your Mind on Things Above – Colossians3:1-4 - June 10, 2019 - As believers, we have died with Christ and are seated with him in heaven. So, we should set our minds on things above, on the…
- Being Renewed in God’s Image – Colossians 3:9-10 - December 30, 2011 - Take off your old self with its practices and put on the new self. A self that is being renewed in God's image.
- Christ Is All and In All – Colossians 3:11 - May 19, 2021 - There are many ways that our world divides us. But Christ's indwelling presence unites us together and tears down the dividing wall.
- Clothe Yourselves with Compassion – Colossians 3:12-14 - July 3, 2022 - As follows of Jesus, we should clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Topped off with love.
- Over All These Virtues, Put on Love – Colossians 3:14 - May 11, 2020 - There are many attributes that should characterize the life of the believer. But over all of these, we are told to put on love. Love…
- Do Everything in Jesus Name – Colossians 3:17 - November 1, 2013 - As believers in our Lord Jesus, we represent him to the world around us. So be careful that everything you say or do is in…
- Devote Yourself to Prayer – Colossians 4:2 - April 27, 2021 - How much time do you spend in the presence of God? Paul tells us here to devote yourself to prayer. Spend quality time with your…
- Let Your Conversation Be Full of Grace – Colossians 4:6 - July 4, 2022 - The words we use when talking to others, and the way we use them are so important. Let your conversation always be gracious and uplifting,
- Epaphras: Prayer Warrior Extraordinaire- Colossians 4:12 - July 8, 2019 - I have hear the term prayer warrior most of my life. But what does the term mean? I believe that the brief glimpse we get…