Paul had been beaten, ridiculed, and now imprisoned, but it was over this that he wept. Paul, who had tasted the goodness of living for the cause of Christ, passionately pled for fellow believers to do the same. (Phil 3:15-17). And then, others seem to come to his mind. You can almost feel the heartbreakContinue reading “What do enemies of the Cross have in common?”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Why I didn’t post yesterday
I couldn’t post a devotional yesterday because the Lord was pressing the words so firmly on my heart. He graciously opened my eyes to my own sin, lest I forget, just how very far I have to go and how very, very much I need Him. I confess I’ve been down over this world aroundContinue reading “Why I didn’t post yesterday”
Ancient words of encouragement for our hard days.
Tender words. Paul had lived them. “What was gain to me, these things I have counted loss for Christ” (Phil 3:7) As he sat in a Roman prison writing this letter, Paul looked back at all he had before he had radically encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. He recounts these things in PhilippiansContinue reading “Ancient words of encouragement for our hard days.”
Warning! Don’t be seduced by false teachers of our day!
Paul seems to abruptly shift gears as he talks of rejoicing in the Lord (Phil 3:1) and then, BOOM!, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of mutilation!” (Phil 3:2) Paul is warning the believers to be on guard and to flee dangerous false teachers who put confidence in the flesh. If anyone hadContinue reading “Warning! Don’t be seduced by false teachers of our day!”
For years, I had told no one.
The evil one is masterful at convincing us we will always be defined by what we have done in the past. The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor 5:17). But the enemy doesn’t want us toContinue reading “For years, I had told no one.”
Joe Biden, Holy Communion, the Pope (and a passage many like to ignore)
In our world, it is often tempting to skip past certain Scriptures. Especially this one I wrote about a few years ago. It’s controversial.Many churches refuse to do it. For those of you watching the news, this passage is at the heart of the controversy with Joe Biden, the Pope and some Catholics who sayContinue reading “Joe Biden, Holy Communion, the Pope (and a passage many like to ignore)”
If it’s true, tell it.
Paul says,”hold such men in esteem” (Phil 2:29) Hold such men in esteem. What kind of men? Well, men and women like Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus didn’t only have a strange name, he was a rare one. He’s only mentioned once in the Bible (Phil 2:25). But this much is clear from the text, Epaphroditus was rare,Continue reading “If it’s true, tell it.”
We have to understand our battle is not against flesh and blood.
Paul knew he could confidently send Timothy because Timothy had that rare trait of not just focusing on his own needs but looking to the interests of others and the things which are of Christ. (Phil 2:21-22) But this rare trait, Timothy possessed, is a trait we should all strive to have. Timothy saw theContinue reading “We have to understand our battle is not against flesh and blood.”
Don’t be a LONE RANGER!
I just need a Timothy sometimes.Paul did. (Phil 2:19) I love that God gives us a peek into Paul’s need to be encouraged. You know it’s okay, it’s even God-ordained for us to give and receive encouragement from others? God tells us to continue to meet together and to encourage one another (Heb 10:25). HeContinue reading “Don’t be a LONE RANGER!”
I wondered if they were all on Prozac!
They were going through hard things—cancer, abandonment by a spouse, job loss, and wayward children. There they sat in my Women’s Bible study, all those years ago, and each of them had a peace despite their circumstances, that caught my attention. Oh, I confess, I wondered if they were all on Prozac because I couldContinue reading “I wondered if they were all on Prozac!”
This passage confused me for years.
This passage confused me for years. Paul says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you to will and to do for His good pleasure.”Continue reading “This passage confused me for years.”
Blessed to be the Coach’s daughter
My brother and I had the great honor of accepting a character award for my father at the Oak Ridge football game last night. My dad and his little brother had been football phenomenons there, going on to both play college ball and coach. I was always proud to mention my maiden name was “Pope”Continue reading “Blessed to be the Coach’s daughter”
Biblical Prophecies Fulfilled. Doesn’t this make you wonder…
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know this world is CRAZY! And, even if you’re not very “religious”, you probably know the Bible has predicted many of the things that have happened in our world. Truly, things seem to be lining right up with Biblical prophecy. This has to make you wonder aboutContinue reading “Biblical Prophecies Fulfilled. Doesn’t this make you wonder…”
Let’s do this hard thing and give Jesus some GLORY!
This passage, Phil 2:6-11, is a deep theological statement, foundational to the Christian faith, but also has practical application. This application is especially helpful as we seek to live out our faith as Christ followers around others. Let’s remember, this letter to the Philippians was initially sent to a young church Paul had started aboutContinue reading “Let’s do this hard thing and give Jesus some GLORY!”
Want to Walk in TRUTH? Watch out for wrong thinking.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Phil 2:5) And with that, STOP. As Christians, our goal is to increasingly think like Christ. We are to replace our worldly, flesh-filled, self-centered, thoughts with the mindset of Christ. And here’s the thing, God has given us the mind of Christ (1Continue reading “Want to Walk in TRUTH? Watch out for wrong thinking.”
Need a little refreshing today? DO THIS
If you really believe what you say you believe about Jesus, then live it like this; and when you do, you’ll find yourself refreshed— “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, havingContinue reading “Need a little refreshing today? DO THIS”
Are you walking in fear or faith?
When Christians lose hope, it’s a sign to the lost world that we don’t really believe what we say we believe. (See Phil 1:28-29) People who have lost hope are driven by fear. But what does fear look like in the day to day? It’s not that we often see fellow Christians running around screamingContinue reading “Are you walking in fear or faith?”
When your struggle is with other people.
We don’t have to look too far to see the struggles around us. We are a divided country. Christians are not immune from these struggles—political and beyond. We experience strife in our business and personal relationships and are daily tested to live our lives differently as Christ followers. Especially during people conflicts, we have toContinue reading “When your struggle is with other people.”
You know Jesus is offensive, right?
Jesus. The real Jesus, as defined in the Bible, is offensive to a lost world. “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toContinue reading “You know Jesus is offensive, right?”
How can we find CALM in our CRAZY WORLD?
The Apostle Paul has just written those famous words, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21) He goes to say, he wasn’t sure which he would choose. He knew being with Christ would be far better, but he also knew serving out his purpose on earth, shepherding the flock, would reapContinue reading “How can we find CALM in our CRAZY WORLD?”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 