Podcasts about Philippi

Noah Hagglund teaches from Philippians 3:12-21. The Apostle Paul speaks to the church in Philippi concerning the endurance needed to finish well in the Christian life.bfc4u.org, facebook.com/bfc4u

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Yesterday, Kyra reflected on the gifts the Philippians had given to Paul. Today's text is a promise that the young church in Philippi will be cared for; cared for by God. These two things belong together; they follow each other. The way Paul writes, it sounds like God will care for them because they have cared for Paul. But is that right? Yes and no. Because we believe so firmly in ‘saved by grace alone' we have a difficult time with certain texts in the New Testament. Jesus tells us to lay up treasures in heaven and Paul adds that we will receive a crown of glory. Are these rewards for good behaviour? Sort of. There are rewards for the life of Christian faith that go above and beyond just our salvation in Christ. Should we want these rewards? Of course, but why should we want them? It's a thing we should wrestle with. It's our desires that we need to wrestle with. Paul's reflections are helpful. Paul's desire was not for gifts, even though he is blessed by them and receives them gratefully. His desire is not stuff. His desire is the place from which these gifts come. These are gifts of love from the Philippians as a response of faith to God. These gifts mean that God's Word is bearing good fruit through the Philippians. And that is enough. There's abundance in the Kingdom of God even when he goes without, because he is strengthened not by the stuff of this world but by Christ. The economy of the kingdom is a gift economy. Its not one of balance sheets. The things that the Philippians give are “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice” given in response to all that God has given. The Philippians were living Romans 12. They are “living sacrifices,” giving all in the service of God—all that you have and all that you are. When we do that, we store up treasures for ourselves in heaven, a crown of reward. We do it, of course, not to get that reward per say, but as a response of faith—to be pleasing to God, recognizing as Paul had said already, that our contentment—our rest—is in Christ. We can say with Paul that “our God will meet all our needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Whether he does so in this world or the next, it does not change the calculus: God has given much. We are amply supplied in Christ and therefore we give as a response of faith.  It's a joyful storing up not in this life and according to the rules of this world, but rather according to the Kingdom principles of the world to come. As the Heidelberg Catechism says, true faith is a “also a deep-rooted assurance, created in me by the Holy Spirit through the gospel, that, out of sheer grace earned for us by Christ, I have had my sins forgiven, have been made forever right with God, and have been granted salvation” (A 21). But it opens with this, “Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him” (A 1). We don't live generous lives to get rewards. We do so to give him glory, to please him, believing that he is more than able to provide for us. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

Acts 16:6-15  View this week’s sermon outline

Through a study of the book of Acts, we're asking the Spirit to conform us to the patterns and practices of the early church — a people who love the lost like Jesus, give of themselves in rhythms of blessing and hospitality, and who seek to engage in curious, spiritual, and gospel conversations. We want the Spirit to do an Acts 3-4 kind of work this week, fulfilling Jesus' promise in Acts 1.8: You will receive power, and you will be my witnesses. This week, we zoom in on the work of the Spirit in Philippi to see him bring freedom and life to Lydia, an enslaved, demonized girl, and a jailer, along with his household.

Acts 20:1-16 English Standard VersionPaul in Macedonia and Greece20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.Eutychus Raised from the Dead7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 

TEXT: Philippians 2:1-4 Paul exhorts the church in Philippi to be united in true love This love: 1. Is based on the love of God 2. Leads to humility 3. Looks out for the interest of others

On this Freedom Friday, we concluded our weekly theme of “Family Relationships” with discussions about how data can help improve marriage and intimacy, as well as how the radical transformation of others can impact our walk with Christ. We turned to Acts 16, where we saw how Paul and Silas witnessed for Christ while in prison in Philippi, and how it transformed the life of a prison guard. We also heard a radical transformation story about the late Hulk Hogan, former professional wrestler, and how he turned to Christ and publicly declared it before his passing. We then turned to the phone lines to hear a freedom story from one of our listeners, Prestina, and we asked her, “Who in your family or circle of friends had such a radical transformation that caused you to repent and turn to God completely?” Then one of our special guests, Shaunti Feldhahn, shared data that can help married couples understand their partners more. Shaunti is a best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and popular speaker. She received a graduate degree from Harvard University. She was formerly an analyst on Wall Street, so she applies her analytical skills when investigating truths in the home and the workplace. She has also written groundbreaking research books such as “For Women Only” and “For Men Only.” Then Luke Smallbone from For KING + COUNTRY, a musical duo consisting of two brothers, Luke and Joel Smallbone, joined us to discuss the importance of intimacy with God in private. He also shared with us information about the musical duo's upcoming Little Drummer Boy Christmas tour. For more information about For KING + COUNTRY and the tour, visit their website. The duo has been awarded four Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, 10 GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and has garnered over 16,000 streams. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: Hulk Hogan Interview and Salvation Teaching [00:09-14:01 ] Listener Freedom Story (Prestina) [14:02- 18:30] Acts 16 Teaching (Paul and Silas in Philippi) [18:40-26:45 ] Shaunti Feldhahn Interview (Data in Marriage and Intimacy) [26:55-43:19] Luke Smallbone ( Private time with God and Drummer Boy tour ) [43:29- 52:52]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Freedom Friday, we concluded our weekly theme of “Family Relationships” with discussions about how data can help improve marriage and intimacy, as well as how the radical transformation of others can impact our walk with Christ. We turned to Acts 16, where we saw how Paul and Silas witnessed for Christ while in prison in Philippi, and how it transformed the life of a prison guard. We also heard a radical transformation story about the late Hulk Hogan, former professional wrestler, and how he turned to Christ and publicly declared it before his passing. We then turned to the phone lines to hear a freedom story from one of our listeners, Prestina, and we asked her, “Who in your family or circle of friends had such a radical transformation that caused you to repent and turn to God completely?” Then one of our special guests, Shaunti Feldhahn, shared data that can help married couples understand their partners more. Shaunti is a best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and popular speaker. She received a graduate degree from Harvard University. She was formerly an analyst on Wall Street, so she applies her analytical skills when investigating truths in the home and the workplace. She has also written groundbreaking research books such as “For Women Only” and “For Men Only.” Then Luke Smallbone from For KING + COUNTRY, a musical duo consisting of two brothers, Luke and Joel Smallbone, joined us to discuss the importance of intimacy with God in private. He also shared with us information about the musical duo's upcoming Little Drummer Boy Christmas tour. For more information about For KING + COUNTRY and the tour, visit their website. The duo has been awarded four Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, 10 GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and has garnered over 16,000 streams. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: Hulk Hogan Interview and Salvation Teaching [00:09-14:01 ] Listener Freedom Story (Prestina) [14:02- 18:30] Acts 16 Teaching (Paul and Silas in Philippi) [18:40-26:45 ] Shaunti Feldhahn Interview (Data in Marriage and Intimacy) [26:55-43:19] Luke Smallbone ( Private time with God and Drummer Boy tour ) [43:29- 52:52]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Freedom Friday, we concluded our weekly theme of “Family Relationships” with discussions about how data can help improve marriage and intimacy, as well as how the radical transformation of others can impact our walk with Christ. We turned to Acts 16, where we saw how Paul and Silas witnessed for Christ while in prison in Philippi, and how it transformed the life of a prison guard. We also heard a radical transformation story about the late Hulk Hogan, former professional wrestler, and how he turned to Christ and publicly declared it before his passing. We then turned to the phone lines to hear a freedom story from one of our listeners, Prestina, and we asked her, “Who in your family or circle of friends had such a radical transformation that caused you to repent and turn to God completely?” Then one of our special guests, Shaunti Feldhahn, shared data that can help married couples understand their partners more. Shaunti is a best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and popular speaker. She received a graduate degree from Harvard University. She was formerly an analyst on Wall Street, so she applies her analytical skills when investigating truths in the home and the workplace. She has also written groundbreaking research books such as “For Women Only” and “For Men Only.” Then Luke Smallbone from For KING + COUNTRY, a musical duo consisting of two brothers, Luke and Joel Smallbone, joined us to discuss the importance of intimacy with God in private. He also shared with us information about the musical duo's upcoming Little Drummer Boy Christmas tour. For more information about For KING + COUNTRY and the tour, visit their website. The duo has been awarded four Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, 10 GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and has garnered over 16,000 streams. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: Hulk Hogan Interview and Salvation Teaching [00:09-14:01 ] Listener Freedom Story (Prestina) [14:02- 18:30] Acts 16 Teaching (Paul and Silas in Philippi) [18:40-26:45 ] Shaunti Feldhahn Interview (Data in Marriage and Intimacy) [26:55-43:19] Luke Smallbone ( Private time with God and Drummer Boy tour ) [43:29- 52:52]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Freedom Friday, we concluded our weekly theme of “Family Relationships” with discussions about how data can help improve marriage and intimacy, as well as how the radical transformation of others can impact our walk with Christ. We turned to Acts 16, where we saw how Paul and Silas witnessed for Christ while in prison in Philippi, and how it transformed the life of a prison guard. We also heard a radical transformation story about the late Hulk Hogan, former professional wrestler, and how he turned to Christ and publicly declared it before his passing. We then turned to the phone lines to hear a freedom story from one of our listeners, Prestina, and we asked her, “Who in your family or circle of friends had such a radical transformation that caused you to repent and turn to God completely?” Then one of our special guests, Shaunti Feldhahn, shared data that can help married couples understand their partners more. Shaunti is a best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and popular speaker. She received a graduate degree from Harvard University. She was formerly an analyst on Wall Street, so she applies her analytical skills when investigating truths in the home and the workplace. She has also written groundbreaking research books such as “For Women Only” and “For Men Only.” Then Luke Smallbone from For KING + COUNTRY, a musical duo consisting of two brothers, Luke and Joel Smallbone, joined us to discuss the importance of intimacy with God in private. He also shared with us information about the musical duo's upcoming Little Drummer Boy Christmas tour. For more information about For KING + COUNTRY and the tour, visit their website. The duo has been awarded four Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, 10 GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and has garnered over 16,000 streams. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: Hulk Hogan Interview and Salvation Teaching [00:09-14:01 ] Listener Freedom Story (Prestina) [14:02- 18:30] Acts 16 Teaching (Paul and Silas in Philippi) [18:40-26:45 ] Shaunti Feldhahn Interview (Data in Marriage and Intimacy) [26:55-43:19] Luke Smallbone ( Private time with God and Drummer Boy tour ) [43:29- 52:52]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Freedom Friday, we concluded our weekly theme of “Family Relationships” with discussions about how data can help improve marriage and intimacy, as well as how the radical transformation of others can impact our walk with Christ. We turned to Acts 16, where we saw how Paul and Silas witnessed for Christ while in prison in Philippi, and how it transformed the life of a prison guard. We also heard a radical transformation story about the late Hulk Hogan, former professional wrestler, and how he turned to Christ and publicly declared it before his passing. We then turned to the phone lines to hear a freedom story from one of our listeners, Prestina, and we asked her, “Who in your family or circle of friends had such a radical transformation that caused you to repent and turn to God completely?” Then one of our special guests, Shaunti Feldhahn, shared data that can help married couples understand their partners more. Shaunti is a best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and popular speaker. She received a graduate degree from Harvard University. She was formerly an analyst on Wall Street, so she applies her analytical skills when investigating truths in the home and the workplace. She has also written groundbreaking research books such as “For Women Only” and “For Men Only.” Then Luke Smallbone from For KING + COUNTRY, a musical duo consisting of two brothers, Luke and Joel Smallbone, joined us to discuss the importance of intimacy with God in private. He also shared with us information about the musical duo's upcoming Little Drummer Boy Christmas tour. For more information about For KING + COUNTRY and the tour, visit their website. The duo has been awarded four Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, 10 GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and has garnered over 16,000 streams. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: Hulk Hogan Interview and Salvation Teaching [00:09-14:01 ] Listener Freedom Story (Prestina) [14:02- 18:30] Acts 16 Teaching (Paul and Silas in Philippi) [18:40-26:45 ] Shaunti Feldhahn Interview (Data in Marriage and Intimacy) [26:55-43:19] Luke Smallbone ( Private time with God and Drummer Boy tour ) [43:29- 52:52]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Freedom Friday, we concluded our weekly theme of “Family Relationships” with discussions about how data can help improve marriage and intimacy, as well as how the radical transformation of others can impact our walk with Christ. We turned to Acts 16, where we saw how Paul and Silas witnessed for Christ while in prison in Philippi, and how it transformed the life of a prison guard. We also heard a radical transformation story about the late Hulk Hogan, former professional wrestler, and how he turned to Christ and publicly declared it before his passing. We then turned to the phone lines to hear a freedom story from one of our listeners, Prestina, and we asked her, “Who in your family or circle of friends had such a radical transformation that caused you to repent and turn to God completely?” Then one of our special guests, Shaunti Feldhahn, shared data that can help married couples understand their partners more. Shaunti is a best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and popular speaker. She received a graduate degree from Harvard University. She was formerly an analyst on Wall Street, so she applies her analytical skills when investigating truths in the home and the workplace. She has also written groundbreaking research books such as “For Women Only” and “For Men Only.” Then Luke Smallbone from For KING + COUNTRY, a musical duo consisting of two brothers, Luke and Joel Smallbone, joined us to discuss the importance of intimacy with God in private. He also shared with us information about the musical duo's upcoming Little Drummer Boy Christmas tour. For more information about For KING + COUNTRY and the tour, visit their website. The duo has been awarded four Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, 10 GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and has garnered over 16,000 streams. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: Hulk Hogan Interview and Salvation Teaching [00:09-14:01 ] Listener Freedom Story (Prestina) [14:02- 18:30] Acts 16 Teaching (Paul and Silas in Philippi) [18:40-26:45 ] Shaunti Feldhahn Interview (Data in Marriage and Intimacy) [26:55-43:19] Luke Smallbone ( Private time with God and Drummer Boy tour ) [43:29- 52:52]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Freedom Friday, we concluded our weekly theme of “Family Relationships” with discussions about how data can help improve marriage and intimacy, as well as how the radical transformation of others can impact our walk with Christ. We turned to Acts 16, where we saw how Paul and Silas witnessed for Christ while in prison in Philippi, and how it transformed the life of a prison guard. We also heard a radical transformation story about the late Hulk Hogan, former professional wrestler, and how he turned to Christ and publicly declared it before his passing. We then turned to the phone lines to hear a freedom story from one of our listeners, Prestina, and we asked her, “Who in your family or circle of friends had such a radical transformation that caused you to repent and turn to God completely?” Then one of our special guests, Shaunti Feldhahn, shared data that can help married couples understand their partners more. Shaunti is a best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and popular speaker. She received a graduate degree from Harvard University. She was formerly an analyst on Wall Street, so she applies her analytical skills when investigating truths in the home and the workplace. She has also written groundbreaking research books such as “For Women Only” and “For Men Only.” Then Luke Smallbone from For KING + COUNTRY, a musical duo consisting of two brothers, Luke and Joel Smallbone, joined us to discuss the importance of intimacy with God in private. He also shared with us information about the musical duo's upcoming Little Drummer Boy Christmas tour. For more information about For KING + COUNTRY and the tour, visit their website. The duo has been awarded four Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, 10 GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and has garnered over 16,000 streams. You can hear the highlights of today's program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: Hulk Hogan Interview and Salvation Teaching [00:09-14:01 ] Listener Freedom Story (Prestina) [14:02- 18:30] Acts 16 Teaching (Paul and Silas in Philippi) [18:40-26:45 ] Shaunti Feldhahn Interview (Data in Marriage and Intimacy) [26:55-43:19] Luke Smallbone ( Private time with God and Drummer Boy tour ) [43:29- 52:52]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Church Street Podcast: The Bullpen Where every voice gets a turn at the mic. At First Grapevine, we are blessed with three gifted preachers—but not every voice gets the chance to speak each Sunday. That's where The Bullpen comes in. This space amplifies the voices waiting in the wings, offering fresh perspectives and deeper spiritual insight. In this episode, Pastor Zach Stiefel and Dr. Keva Green continue their exploration of The Letters of Paul, focusing on the book of Philippians. As the first European church planted by Paul, Philippi was a Roman city turned retirement haven for Roman soldiers. It was also a city caught in a spiritual crossroads: Who will you worship—God or Caesar? This powerful conversation centers on the enduring joy found in the Lord. As Paul writes in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" The episode invites listeners to see God at work in all things—if only we take the time to look. Expect real conversations, honest reflections, and shared wisdom from three distinct voices. Follow us on social media to stay connected with The Bullpen, The Church Street Podcast, and everything happening at First Grapevine. Let's keep growing together in truth and grace. We're so glad you're here.

God's Word for Today25 Jul, 20254 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.-Prov 28:4,5 ESV WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE LAW?God gave the law to Moses to expose sin and encourage righteous living among God's people. Shortly before Moses died, he challenged the people of Israel to choose between life and good, death and evil. It is by obeying the Lord's commandments, loving the Lord, walking in His ways, and keeping His commandments and statutes, the people would live, multiply, and enjoy God's blessing. But, disobedience would bring God's punishment. The people would be banished out of the Promised Land. Thus, Moses urged the people to choose life (see Deut 30:15-19).Solomon reiterates that same idea. Breaking moral laws is absolutely wrong. Thus, applauding those who are immoral is absolutely wrong (Rom 1:32). Forsaking the law is to side with and affirm the wicked. Hence, to obey the law is to oppose the wicked. Godly people should be speaking truth [the law] in love against sin (Eph 4:15, Luke 5:32). And, they should not endorse sin or celebrate those who defy God (Isa 5:20). Thus, the apostle Paul has urged the believers at Philippi to lead a righteous life and thereby shine as lights in a crooked and twisted generation (Phil 2:15). Does not light dispel darkness?Wicked people don't recognize that God is the ultimate basis for goodness and righteousness, do they? Thus, they don't understand God's justice to obey it. They despise it instead. In contrast, to follow God is to pursue the highest possible standard for such things. (Prov 1:7; 8:33–36) And when the opposite happens, when evil becomes comfortable, it blinds us to God's truth. Cultures that embrace evil do become indifferent to God and His law (Eze 20:18–19; Exo 20:5). It's possible that a wicked is aware of his own sin and refuses to repent. He is hardened and controlled by sin that he doesn't recognize it anymore (Rom 1:28; 2 Cor 4:4). When something other than God becomes our authority, justice is denied.This describes the period during the rule of Judges when the nation of Israel cycled between obedience and disobedience. They frequently rejected God's law and embraced lawlessness. Judges 2:11–13 reports that the people did what was evil in the Lord's sight. They followed false gods and abandoned the Lord. Judges 21:25 says, "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." As a result of Israel's rebellion, God sent foreign nations against her until she repented and turned back to Him. However, the cycle of moral decline, opposition, punishment, and repentance occurred repeatedly. Sin clouds the mind to justice. Nevertheless, in every generation, there is a remnant of believers who understand justice and seek to obey the Lord (Rom 11:5).Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPuuvKVODmgListen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audibleFollow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio#gospellightfilipino#godswordfortoday

In this special episode, Shane Willard brings a powerful, practical, and perspective-shifting message from Philippians 2. What does it really mean to “do all things without grumbling”? And how does our attitude impact the way the world sees Jesus in us?With historical insights, psychological wisdom, and classic Shane humor, this sermon challenges us to stop complaining, regain perspective, and become people who shine like stars in a dark world.00:00 - Intro & July Update  00:50 - "Enough Already" Book Shoutout  01:32 - Why Shane Willard Sermons This Month  03:18 - Shane's Intro & Mission  06:11 - Opening the Bible: Philippians 2  07:13 - Do All Things Without Grumbling  10:35 - Historical Backdrop of Philippi  13:49 - Paul's Arrest & Final Words  20:11 - Don't Be Like the Grumbling Israelites  21:05 - Grumbling as a Clanging Gong  23:59 - Hope Requires Perspective  25:56 - Be Part of the Song, Not the Gong  27:26 - Why We Grumble  30:53 - Perspective: Then vs. Now  33:41 - Don't Miss the Water for the Mud  35:36 - Comparison & Sacred Object Syndrome  39:00 - Freezing the Present  42:57 - Final Summary: No Grumbling, Shine Like Stars  43:50 - What This Means for Us

In celebration of CRC's 35th anniversary, Pastor Richard Hilton delivered a heartfelt and powerful message titled “I Have You in My Heart,” centered on Philippians 1:3–7. Reflecting on the deep bond Paul shared with the church at Philippi, Pastor Hilton reminded us that ministry is more than moments—it's about meaningful relationships built through financial support, friendship, and fellowship. He emphasized that we're called to do life together: remembering each other with gratitude, praying with joy, and walking in deep, limitless love. When someone is in your heart, you set your affection on them, you share vision with them, and you sacrifice for their destiny. With joy woven throughout the message—just as it flows through Philippians—Pastor Hilton closed with the reminder that God is a Finisher, faithful to complete the good work He began in us. This message marked not just an anniversary but a reaffirmation of our calling to love deeply, dream boldly, and serve one another wholeheartedly.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4-5). Paul begins to wind down his letter to the Christians in Philippi by returning to his opening theme. In the first few chapters, he has told us of the mindset of Jesus (i.e. humbling himself to the cross and submitting himself to the Father alone rather than his own recourse). Paul wrote how he sought to live out of this mindset of Jesus. He also included how the Philippian church and those within it experiencing fights and division (like Euodia and Syntyche) should live out that Jesus-mindset, as Kyra elaborated on yesterday. Having said all this, Paul returns to the theme of joy. This is where he began by mentioning his joyful prayers for the Philippian Christians. He was thankful for their partnership in the Gospel and for God's work in them that God would see to completion. Now he invites the Philippians into the same prayer saturated with joy. Today let's reflect on the joy. An antidote to the mistrust of fellow Christians that breeds division like that between Euodia and Syntyche is a healthy joy in the Lord. In the angel's Christmas announcement to the shepherds, they said, the Gospel is “good news of great joy for all people”. When our joy evaporates or is replaced by fear, doubts, or suspicions, it is an indicator that our own heart needs tending in the presence of God. Only then can we engage fruitfully again with fellow Christians.  We need to receive again the good news of great joy in our hearts. Then, as we encounter others, what spills out of us is a joyful, Gospel word. How do we do that? Let me suggest a few ways. One is simply by practicing. If we don't feel joyful, we should rejoice and giving thanks to God anyway. It's often the case that working a habit like rejoicing, even when we aren't in the mood for it, can serve to usher our emotions gently along until we do begin to feel it. We can use the last few Psalms to get started. Another way to find joy in the Lord is to remember that “the Lord is near.” Even when everything else might feel like its coming undone or when it feels like there are enemies all around—a recognition of the presence of God in that place can change things.  Even valleys of death's shadow can be transformed into an experience of God's care and provision when we remember that he is there, too. Meditation on Psalms 23 or 121 are helpful here. A third way to renew our joy is simply by talking to God.  We call that prayer. But that's for tomorrow. This kind of joy in Christ enables us to make known the mind of Christ to those around us. The Greek word translated as gentleness can also mean forbearance or tolerance. A willingness to let things go or to delay our reaction or desire for retribution. Doing so offers a gracious, merciful forbearance as God has done for us.  Again, we can do this because the Lord, who has displayed his gentle forbearance with us, is near.  It's a cause of joy. A cause for taking on the same mindset. So, rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

The first question was asked by Nicodemus, a religious ruler "How can a man be born again?" John 3:4 The answer… Jesus John 3:16 The second question was asked by the prison warden at Philippi "What must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30 The answer... Jesus Acts 16:31 The third question was asked by The Lord's faithful servant, The Apostle Paul "Who shall deliver me?" Romans 7:24 The answer... Jesus Romans 7:25 Jesus is the answer to our questions and our needs!

On Paul's road trip to Philippi, we see how the gospel changes lives—from a wealthy businesswoman to a desperate jailer. Whether we're facing open doors or hard days, God still nudges us toward people, places, and purpose.

see link below: https://pastorsteverhodes.com/2025/07/20/paul-witnesses-in-philippi-acts-1611-40-the-gospel-is-for-everyone/

In today's sermon, Pastor Rich Jensen delves into the early missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas, focusing on the establishment of the church in Philippi. He examines the context of Philippians within the framework of the Great Commission, highlighting God's guidance through visions and the apostles' decision-making process. The sermon contrasts the apostolic age with the modern church, emphasizing the importance of Scripture as the primary guide for believers, rather than seeking mystical guidance. Pastor Jensen highlights the example of Lydia's conversion in Philippi to illustrate the necessity of gospel preaching and God's role in opening hearts to the message of salvation. The episode concludes by urging listeners to focus on God's revealed will in Scripture, prioritizing obedience and faithfulness to His calling, rather than seeking to discern His secret will.Podcast: www.ReformedRookie.comPodcast: https://anchor.fm/reformedrookieFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReformedRookie Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYapologistSemper Reformanda!

Famous theologian Thomas Cranmer said, ‘What the heart loves, the will chooses, and the mind justifies.' In other words our ambitions in life, our everyday choices and priorities are driven largely by the things that our hearts desire. In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul encourages us to let Jesus be our heart's desire. Let Him be the one that we long for, our goal in life, our treasured possession. Because when he is, Jesus will drive our life's ambitions, our everyday choices in life and our priorities. And to top it off, if we make Jesus our heart's desire, then we're guaranteed to have our hearts satisfied on the day he is revealed in all his glory.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). As we conclude this chapter, we build on Kyra's reflections from yesterday. Paul writes with tears. Was some of the ink blotched because those tears had fallen while he wrote? His heart is grieved for all those who insist on opposing the cross of Christ. Recall also that he does not name them ‘my enemies'. We do well to diligently follow his example. People are not the enemy. No matter how deep our disagreements, our struggle is against powers and principalities, not people. Regarding these ‘enemies of the cross', he says, ‘their god is their stomach'. Stomach stands in for all the desires of the body, the lusts of the flesh. Their chief concern is personal satisfaction. Their appetites dictate their lives; their minds focussed solely on this earth and this life; their vision to please the self in the moment. His warning is not against specific sins, but against the underlying sin of pandering to self. On that score, are any of us innocent? Which of us Christ followers do not, at least on occasion, fall to a temptation of the ‘stomach', pandering to self? Paul is reminding his readers that they themselves must remain vigilant. We do well to heed his warning; his tears fall for us as well. We must test our desires. In themselves, they are not necessarily bad. Desires for food, for friendship, for a healthy marriage or for rest are normally good. However, we can overindulge in food. Sometimes we can use friends to climb the ladder. Sometimes our desire for rest is just laziness. Thus, Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven. Our treasures, our desires, our goals for life are determined not by the desires of our bodies, but by the values of God himself. Philippi was a Roman colony, ruled by Roman law not by its own customs; its citizens were Roman citizens. Likewise, Christians live in this world, among human cultures and value systems, but our citizenship is in heaven. We derive our values from the cross. When the truths of the cross and the return of Christ are grasped, a certain way of life naturally follows. What we believe changes our behaviour. We imitate Christ while longing for full redemption. When he returns, our Saviour will transform us so that our lowly bodies, often difficult to control, will then be subject to Christ giving glory to God. Ours are lowly bodies because they are subject to sin. The body itself, as God's creation, is good. But because of sin, we are frail and weak, easily seduced to engage in selfish activity. While our bodies remain ‘lowly', we have not arrived at our goal. But one day, our lowly bodies will give way to the new spiritual body. Eagerly we await Christ's appearance and full conformity to his resurrection body, forever in union with our God. We live in this world pressing on towards that day. At that final day he will, from his exalted position where all things are subject to him, draw our lowly bodies up into his glorious existence. He identified with our humility so that we might in turn be identified with his resurrected body. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

Division in the church is nothing new. It has been present since the fall and is the exact thing Paul is pleading with the Church in Philippi to avoid.

Protesters blocked roads in Philippi to demand construction jobs on the MyCiti bus project; Cape Town shelters filling up as homeless seek refuge from winter storms; a Durban scientist is aiming to inspire the next generation by creating trading cards based on real-life African scientist. Lester Kiewit speaks to Barbara October of GroundUp News about these stories. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily. Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/xGkqLbT or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/f9Eeb7i Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a demon-possessed girl disrupts Paul and Silas' ministry in Philippi, their compassion and authority lead to her deliverance—but at a high cost, as they are beaten and imprisoned, trusting God's greater purpose in their suffering.Paul and Silas, after days of being followed by a possessed slave girl, command the demon to leave her in the name of Jesus. This act of liberation angers the girl's owners, leading to a violent confrontation, false accusations, and a brutal flogging for Paul and Silas, who endure the suffering with unwavering faith.Today's Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 14:33, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Acts 16:16-40

Join Rev. Dr. George Payton as he delivers an inspiring message about the transformative power of the Gospel using the biblical account of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail. Drawing from Acts 16:25-40, Dr. Payton explores how God can create "gospel explosions" in our lives - moments when His power shakes us to our core and moves us from where we are to where He wants us to be. Through the story of the midnight earthquake that freed the prisoners, converted the jailer and his family, and shook the entire city of Philippi, this sermon challenges us to be vessels of God's transformative power in our own communities. Dr. Payton calls for the church to walk their talk, spread the Gospel actively, and work together across all divisions to help turn the world right side up for Jesus Christ.

Who do you follow? Who is following you? Paul says the people of Philippi should practice what they have learned, received, heard, and seen in him. The good news is, when we follow Paul to Jesus, the God of peace is with us! Find out what makes someone followable to Jesus!

What's the most valuable thing you have? What or who do you love the most? The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the early Christians in Philippi to encourage them to follow the way of Jesus. In it, he said… Everything good he had was a loss compared to one thing—knowing Jesus. Not just serving Jesus, but knowing Him. When he wrote these words, he was in prison—everything was stripped away. How challenging for him! The truth is that everything we have, we will lose. And the people we love, they will go. But you will one day face Jesus at the end of your life. Nothing matters more than this, when all is said and done. Will He know you as a friend and welcome you home? Always remember, there is hope with God. "I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done." Philippians 3:7 radio.hopewithgod.com

Ben Chally preaches from Philippians 1:3-11. Paul's introductory prayer for the church in Philippi highlights three marks of a church that has begun and remained in Christ: assurance that God completes the work He begins, affection rooted in Christ-centered fellowship, and ongoing growth in godliness through love shaped by truth and discernment. This passage serves as a call to examine our hearts in light of God's promises, to turn from anything that hinders fellowship with Christ and His church, and to continue steadfastly in Him, trusting His promises, treasuring His people, and seeking His glory. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God's grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

06.07.2025//Acts. What's Next? In and out of prison in Philippi_Acts 16:6-40//Church Hill//Justin Moffatt by Church Hill Anglican

Send us a textActs 16:11-15So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.Support the show

Horace, born Quintus Horatius Flaccus in 65 BCE in Venusia, was one of ancient Rome's most celebrated lyric poets. He lived through the turbulent transition from Republic to Empire and became closely associated with Emperor Augustus's regime. Though he once fought on the losing side at the Battle of Philippi against Caesar, he later gained favour through the patronage of Maecenas, a key advisor to Augustus. Horace is best known for his Odes, Satires, Epistles, and the Ars Poetica—works that blend wit, philosophical reflection, and poetic elegance, and so naturally he is a perfect subject for Peter Stothard, historian and author. Looking for something to do at the end of June? You could do worse than head to the Chalke History Festival. Peter Stothard Links Horace: Poet on a Volcano Chalke Chalke History Festival Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Ollie on X Aspects of History on Instagram Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever had a before-and-after moment that changed everything? In this message, we explore how the gospel first arrived in Europe through a group of unlikely people—a businesswoman, a slave girl, and a Roman jailer—and how their encounters with Jesus sparked a church in Philippi. As we begin our journey through Philippians, we're invited to know Christ in a deeper, more personal way—beyond information and into transformation. Discover how knowing Jesus reshapes our mindset, reframes our stories, and grows joy in every circumstance.

THE GATES OF HELL is a real place. Jesus took his disciples on a 14-hour hike to declare his divinity there, which suggests there was something important about the place. The Iron and Myth crew joins us this month to discuss Sharon and Derek Gilbert's new book, The Gates of Hell: Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview with the Giant; Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods; and Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of the theological thriller Cruel Logic, and the new novels Judah Maccabee Parts 1 & 2.We delve into the concept of the ‘Gates of Hell,' exploring its literal and metaphorical implications. We discuss the historical and spiritual significance of various locations, including Caesarea Philippi and Babel, and how these relate to ancient practices of necromancy and communication with the spirit realm.  Our conversation also touches on the connections between Jesus' baptism and cosmic geography, as well as the relevance of ancient cultures like the Hurrians in understanding these themes. We focus on the place of Jesus' baptism, the land of Bashan, and the implications of megalithic structures exploring the legacy of the Nephilim and their connection to modern spiritual practices, including the role of artificial intelligence in shaping contemporary beliefs. 

We live in a world that tells us we need more, and we need to be more. So what does true spiritual contentment look like for people who love God and trust Him no matter what? In Paul's final words to the church in Philippi he talks about how God taught Him to be content in every circumstance which remains as a powerful example for us today! Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon Scripture: Philippians 4:10-23 Series: Philippians: Joy in a Jail Cell For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

Welcome to the kickoff of our summer series, Belonged All Along: Stories of Women Who Became Unexpected Vessels of Purpose. In this first episode, we're stepping into the story of Lydia, a woman of influence, leadership, and hospitality who used what she already had to make room for God's mission.Though her story is short, Lydia's obedience helped launch the early church in Philippi. She didn't preach from a pulpit or hold a religious title, but she opened her heart, her home, and her hands—and through her yes, a movement was born.If you've ever wondered whether your gifts, your leadership, or your presence really matter in the Kingdom… this episode is for you.

     The Christian life is often won or lost in the arena of the mind. The believer's greatest spiritual battles frequently take place in the quiet chambers of inner thought—unseen by others, yet intensely real. Satan, the world, and the flesh conspire to assault the believer's thinking, seeking to distort reality, generate fear, inflame lusts, sow bitterness, and cultivate pride or despair. This is why Scripture emphasizes the mind as a primary battleground in the spiritual life. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5), recognizing that unchecked thoughts can quickly become footholds for spiritual defeat. Victory in the spiritual life requires that we not only reject lies but also proactively fill our minds with God's truth.      Learning and meditating on Scripture is central to maintaining psychological and emotional stability (Psa 1:2-3). The mind, left untethered from truth, is vulnerable to deception and emotional volatility. But God's Word anchors our thinking, offering divine perspective amid life's ever-changing circumstances. David testified, “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul” (Psa 19:7). His soul—his inner life—was stabilized and refreshed by God's truth. Likewise, Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). The Spirit uses the Word to shape our thinking and reorient our perspective (Rom 12:2; Col 3:16; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2). When our thoughts are governed by Scripture, our emotions tend to follow suit. Fear gives way to courage, confusion to clarity, and anxiety to peace (Isa 26:3; Phil 4:6-7).      Biblical self-talk is a practical way believers apply God's truth internally. We all engage in self-talk—an ongoing internal dialogue—but the content of that dialogue determines whether we spiral into discouragement or rise in spiritual strength. The psalmist modeled healthy self-talk when he asked, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?” (Psa 42:5a). Then he exhorted himself, saying, “Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence” (Psa 42:5b). Rather than allowing his feelings to dictate his thinking, he took command of his thoughts and focused them on God, repeating the process three times (Psa 42:5, 11; 43:5; cf. Psa 131:1-2).      Paul understood the transforming power of focused thinking. He instructed believers, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2). The Greek word for “transformed” (μεταμορφόω, metamorphoō) refers to an inner change that manifests in outward conduct, and it begins by replacing worldly thought patterns with divine truth. Paul instructed the Christians at Philippi, saying, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil 4:6). If they did this, Paul said, “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). And he gave them further, ongoing instruction, saying, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Phil 4:8). By shifting their focus from anxiety to intentional prayer, thanksgiving, and biblical thinking, believers would experience peace and maintain mental stability.      Jeremiah, when dealing with disparaging thoughts because of the destruction of Jerusalem (Lam 3:17-20), forced his thoughts onto the Lord, saying, “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lam 3:21-23). The verb translated “recall” in verse 21 is ashiv (אָשִׁיב), from the Hebrew root shuv (שׁוּב), meaning “to turn back, return.” In the hiphil imperfect form, it carries the causative sense, “I cause to return to my mind.” Jeremiah wasn't passively remembering; he was actively and intentionally forcing truth back into focus, dragging his thoughts from despair and anchoring them in the character of God.      Joseph framed his brothers' betrayal through the lens of God's providence, saying, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen 50:20; cf. Gen 45:5, 7; Rom 8:28). Rather than allow bitterness or victimhood to dominate his thoughts, Joseph chose to interpret his painful past through the divine perspective of God's sovereign hand. Though deeply wounded by those closest to him, he refused to let their evil define his outlook or determine his response. Instead, he elevated his thinking above the horizontal plane of human injustice and aligned it vertically with God's greater purposes. Joseph recognized that behind the malice of men was the mastery of God, who sovereignly orchestrated his circumstances to preserve life.      Spiritual maturity demands mental discipline. The believer who neglects the Word of God leaves his mind exposed and his emotions vulnerable to the assaults of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Without a steady intake of Scripture and the practice of biblical thinking, the mind can quickly become a playground for fear, doubt, anger, or despair. But the one who saturates his thinking with God's Word, meditates on it day and night (Psa 1:2), and leans into the Spirit's guidance (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:16) will find strength, stability, and clarity—even in the fiercest spiritual storms. As Paul told Timothy, “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Tim 1:7); the word discipline (σωφρονισμός, sōphronismos) refers to a sound, self-controlled mind.      In the chaos of a fallen world, believers must choose to take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5), renew their minds daily (Rom 12:2), and set their minds “on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col 3:2). This is a deliberate, Spirit-enabled mindset grounded in the truth of God's Word. Through this mental discipline, we maintain spiritual composure, emotional balance, and unwavering hope in the faithfulness of our God. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div., B.Sc.  

Join us in this thought-provoking episode of our "Road Trip" series as we explore the journey of life and the unexpected detours we often face. Bradley Hamilton, our Family Engagement Pastor, shares personal anecdotes about family road trips, highlighting the importance of planning while acknowledging that things rarely go as expected. We dive deep into the struggles faced by the early Christians in Philippi, who found themselves in a challenging environment after the resurrection of Jesus. Despite their hardships, the Apostle Paul encourages them—and us—to find joy in the midst of adversity. Discover how joy is rooted not in our circumstances but in our relationship with Christ. In this episode, we discuss: • The difference between joy and happiness • The power of humility in finding true joy • How to stand out in a world filled with complaining and arguing • Practical steps to become a light in a dark world We also reflect on two important questions: 1. Where am I complaining that I need to change? 2. What argument or divisive issue do I need to stay out of? Tune in for an inspiring message that challenges us to hold firm to the hope we have in Jesus and to shine brightly in our communities. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We are an alternative to church as usual. Our Sunday worship service is approximately a 75-minute experience designed to introduce people to the message of Jesus and equip believers to live their lives in response to the Gospel while their kids enjoy one of our safe children's environments. Centerpoint is designed to meet you wherever you are on the journey whether you are just checking out the "church thing" or you are a committed Christ follower. Centerpoint is a casual environment that combines today's music with creative media and relevant teaching. We hope you will visit us at Centerpoint Church regardless of what your past church experience has looked like.

For this episode, there's no food portion, no cafe, diner, nor dive. Just an audience that loves cryptids and weird stuff along for the ride with us. Kelsey and Matt present this beast live at this year's Mythic Realms Convention in Philippi, WV where we interview James L. Rickard, author of several adventure and science fiction novels, such as My Pet Zombie, and The Windmill Portal. He joins us for the entire recording of the panel, as Matt delves into history and sightings of several mysterious creatures and cryptids around our state, as Kelsey plays a guessing game. We covered black panthers (black mountain lions of WV), freshwater octopus, flying manta rays, and Veggie Man.The Creeps also talk about UFO's, nerds, ghosts, jabbering, trees, and everything in-between!

We continue to learn from Paul's letter to Philippi, as we dive into chapter two. Seeing Paul's request to make his joy complete in verse two, Pastor Brandon leads us in understanding what that means and the aspects of living out that charge by Paul. Teaching us that as a body of believers living this life together we should cultivate a spirit of unity, express humility and selflessness, and choose to serve one another diligently; just as in Christ came to serve and not be served. Through chapter two we ultimately learn that joy is worth fighting for! - Key Verses // Philippians 2 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians might be one of his earliest. Full of hints about the wrath to come, he throws Philippi under the bus. Some strange insertions leave us wondering about a few verses, and Paul shares another important life motto with us: A reminder never hurts.If you want MORE drinking and bible-ing, including bonus episodes, interviews with experts, fun mini series', and more, consider becoming a ‘parishioner' at Patreon.com/DrunkBibleStudyOur theme music is Book Club by Josh and Anand.

New research suggests that tokay geckos can distinguish between different people, shedding further light on the intelligence of lizards. We delve into this study and voice warranted concerns about the intelligence of these little maniacs. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Damas-Moreira I, Bégué L, Ringler E, Szabo B. 2025. Tokay geckos adjust their behaviour based on handler familiarity but according to context. Scientific Reports 15:11364. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-95936-5. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Correa, C., Riveros-Riffo, E., & Donoso, J. P. (2025). Lost for more than a century: the rediscovery of Alsodes vittatus (Philippi, 1902)(Anura, Alsodidae), one of the rarest and most elusive amphibians from Chile. ZooKeys, 1230, 195. Other Links/Mentions: Pensoft Publishers. 2025.Ghost Frog Found: Scientists Stumble Upon Species Missing Since 1902. Available at https://scitechdaily.com/ghost-frog-found-scientists-stumble-upon-species-missing-since-1902/ (accessed May 1, 2025). Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” (Philippians 4:11–12 NLT) Paul urged the believers in Philippi to embrace a spirit of contentment. And we should point out that Paul wasn’t a do-as-I-say-and-not-as-I-do type of guy. He talked the talk and walked the walk when it came to being content. Paul had more opportunities to be discontent than most people ever will. “I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm” (2 Corinthians 11:23–27 NLT). Someone who learned to be content under those circumstances deserves to be heard. Paul’s words in Philippians 4 align with Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25–27. “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (NLT). It’s a matter of focus. If your eyes are on the things of this world, you won’t be content. There’s always a new toy, a nicer car, and a bigger house to aim for. It’s only after you acquire those things that you discover the stinging truth of Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 2:11: “But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere” (NLT). If, on the other hand, your eyes are on God and His will for your life, contentment is always within reach. The apostle James wrote, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow” (James 1:17 NLT). To be content is to recognize the goodness and generosity of God that put you where you are. To be content is to continuously take an inventory of the amazing things He’s done for you and given you. To be content is to remember where all good and perfect gifts come from. Reflection Question: What obstacles might keep you from being truly content? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul travels in the region of Macedonia to Philippi, successfully preaching the Gospel for the first time in Europe.  (Lectionary #291) May 26, 2025 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com