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Devotional from David Jeremiah

# Philippians 1:9-11 ## Opening — Paul’s Prayer This morning we conclude our look at the opening section of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In verses 1–2, we have the opening salutation which identifies the author, Paul, and with him Timothy—The young man he has mentored. It also identifies the recipients—all…

Some of us are always looking for a shortcut to physical fitness. Now there are some possible solutions on the horizon. Scientists are testing compounds that they can put into a pill to produce the same effects as exercise. One proposed pill would give us more endurance and weight control, without the…

In his book, Nurturing Silence in a Noisy Heart: Wayne Oates says, “We run from silence because we meet our real selves there.” —Jim L. Wilson --Nurturing Silence in a Noisy Heart, 12. Ecclesiastes 3:7 (HCSB) “a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak;”

# Philippians 1:3–8 ## Opening: Paul’s Thanksgiving As we move on this morning in our study of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we find Paul following his normal pattern of thanksgiving and prayer. This week we will look at his statement of thanksgiving about the Philippians, and next week we will look…

In his book, A Shared Christian Life, Ben Witherington III wrote, “At the Billy Graham Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, there is a little garden with the tombstone of Ruth Bell Graham. The stone reads: ‘End of Construction—Thank you for your patience.’ To a real extent, we do need to see ourselves…

Ross Douthat insists that the internet and its electronic devices have become a modern-day addiction comparable to opioids, alcohol, and drugs. While it is not likely to kill you, it does require you to focus your life around a screen and be perpetually distracted from time with your spouse and children…

In his book, Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation, M. Robert Mulholland, Jr., writes, “If you want a good litmus test of your spiritual growth simply examine the nature and quality of your relationships with others.” —Jim L. Wilson Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual…

The latest survey by the American Time Use Survey shows that Americans spend an average of two hours and 46 minutes each day watching TV. It is our most frequent past time. Americans over the age of 14 also spend eight hours and 44 minutes a night sleeping 10 minutes more per night than we did a decade…

Naples, Italy is a city on the verge of bankruptcy. So what are they spending money on? They have begun to DNA-test dog feces so they can prosecute residents who do not pick up after their dogs. In a city with so many problems, especially financial, it is strange to spend money on dog droppings. Many…

In “Restraint in Relationships,” Mike Clements writes, “Mustering restraint in hostile relationships can feel like walking through a minefield. Our footing will seem unsure as we meet hostility with restraint. God’s character and resurrection power help Christians rise above the hostility of this world.…

The pastor of one of the largest and fastest growing churches in the U.S. says believers should be more careful about what they put into their minds. Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv says many believers will go to the latest movie which contains bad language, violence, and a sex scene, and not worry…

A study conducted by Lifeway Research found that a majority of people who attend church regularly say they have significant relationships with others at church, but less than half of them say they are intentionally helping other believers grow in their faith The survey identified “building relationships”…

Gordon MacDonald spoke of this in his chapter in the book, Mastering Personal Growth. He wrote that the older he became the more he realized his condition as a barbarian loved by his Father. He said that this may be the most important insight that comes with aging. Almost all old people who are growing…

Doug Tilley is a North Carolina pastor suffering the beginning stages of Lou Gehrig’s disease. Known officially as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis the disease with no cure slowly eats away at healthy bodies, eventually leaving them unable to survive. A few years ago, Tilley was looking at a large, beautiful…

Brad Pitt.says he suffers from a “psychological defect” that won’t let him go backward. He says that if “he is leaving his home and realizes he’s forgotten something, he is incapable of going back to get it.” He added, “if I’m driving down the road and I miss a turn, I have to keep going forward. I can’t…

Now, I’ll be the first one to admit that confrontation isn’t pleasant. I don’t like it because I want to be liked. I want people to accept me and consider me their friend. But, right after I moved to Wilson, I discovered that being liked was not the same as being effective in ministry. It happened in…

What you see here is a picture of a church. I know it looks like a chart, but it really shows a picture of Peace Church. In 1966, this church averaged 146 in attendance. By 1969, it was at 188. In ten years, by 1979, it had grown to 487. After a little plateau in the ‘80's, we took off again in the 90's,…

December 13, 2010 Change usually happens slowly in the Church. But a review of the past year's research conducted by the Barna Group provides a time-lapse portrayal of how the religious environment in the U.S. is morphing into something new. Analyzing insights drawn from more than 5,000 non-proprietary…

SEEDS OF CONTEMPLATION for PENTECOSTAL PASTORS Joseph S. Girdler District Superintendent, KYAG August 26, 2008 *Some people have said, “I’d rather have wild fire, than no fire.” … Or, would we? *What do you do when someone gives a message in tongues and there’s no interpretation? Music worshipfully,…

I heard a funny story of an ancient monastery charged with copying old books and scrolls for the faith. One day, Father Florian, who headed the work of the scriptorium, was asked by a new monk: "Does not the copying by hand of other copies allow for chances of error? How do we know we are not copying…

Getting Your Life Back Books: The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a Kempis The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John climacus Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila The Ascent of Mount Carmel by John of the Cross Spiritual formation is rooted in the virtues. Choosing virtue is choosing to submit our will to God and…

Erwin McManus says the church must to change the way it thinks or risk losing the opportunity to shape culture in the future. Speaking at The National Leadership Forum, McManus challenged Christians to stop ignoring the innovators and early adopters. He says recently the church has been lead by late…

THREE TOOLS GOD USES Subject: GROWTH God uses three primary catalysts for changing us and conforming us to Christlikeness. The first is PEOPLE. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Sometimes God uses our friends to sharpen us into more Christlike living. The second…