In Philippians' concluding chapter Paul starts exhorting the believers to: "Stand firm in the Lord... and asks Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other... and help the women that have helped the cause of the gospel... rejoice in the Lord always!... and let your gentleness be evident to all... don't be anxious about anything... but pray with thanksgiving... and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds... so think about things which are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy... then Paul thanks for their gifts... though he has learnt to be content in all situations... he now says he is amply supplied having received through Epaphroditus their gifts... and God will meet all your needs according to his riches in glory... greetings to all the saints".
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Philippians 3 (résumé): No confidence in the flesh
In Philippians 3 Paul starts warning against the circumcizers who are "mutilators of the flesh... for we are the true circumcision who worship God in the Spirit and glory in Jesus... Paul adds that if anyone was to put confidence in the flesh it would be him... but I discard all this as loss compared with the greatness of knowing Christ... for I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection... not that I have obtained all I need, but I press on forgetting the past... and I press on for the goal in Christ Jesus... so let us live up to what we have already attained... and not live as enemies of the cross of Christ... whose glory is in their shame... and their mind is on earthly things... but our citizenship is in heaven!"
Philippians 2 (résumé): Imitating Christ's humility
Paul starts chapter 2 encouraging church unity "being like-minded, having the same love and being one in spirit and purpose... your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus... who made himself nothing... being made in human likeness... he humbled himself... was obedient to death on the cross... so God exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name above all so that every knee should bow before him and confess him as Lord". So, Paul continues, you must work out your own salvation... without complaining or arguing... so that you be blameless before God... so that you shine like stars in the universe... so let us rejoice in the Lord. Paul then says that he will soon send Timothy to them... as he has served very well with him... though he soon hopes to be with them himself... but will also send Epaphroditus who has been ill... so welcome him in the Lord... and honour him".
Philippians 1 (résumé): Thanksgiving & Prayer
The Book of Philippians was written by the apostle Paul to the church in Philippi and he wrote it while he was in prison. Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia and Paul founded the church there during his second missionary journey as related in Acts 16. Paul begins: "I thank God every time I pray for you with joy in my heart for your partnership in the Gospel... and I am sure God will complete his good work in you until the day of Jesus Christ... and I have you in my heart... and God knows how I long for you with the affection of Christ Jesus... and I pray that your love will abound more and more... so that you may discern what is best... and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ... to the glory and praise of God". Paul then goes on to relate how his imprisonment is in fact advancing the Gospel. He says that all the palace guard has heard the Gospel and the church has been encouraged, and that "the important thing is that whether from false motives or true, Christ is being preached". "Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death... for me to live is Christ and to die is gain... but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body... so that your joy in Christ will overflow on account of me... but make sure that you conduct yourself worthy of the gospel... standing firm in one spirit... though you suffer for Christ and not just believe in him".
Programme for the 88th EAB AGM
The programme for the EAB AGM on Saturday, October 24th, is all prepared with EAB chairman Roy Dyer leading the event and Dave Flowers, Russell Dyer and Philip Medcraft leading the praise and worship. Amy Gough will speak about her time with EAB in Brazil in January, Philip Medcraft will preach, and David Fiddy will also take part. Liz and I will take part through a short video clip and Hazel Flowers will serve everyone with tea at 6 pm prior to the celebration kick-off at 7pm. Sam Dyer will specially be there from Switzerland. So please make the effort to be there for this annual EAB event of praise to the Lord for 88 years of the EAB Mission to be held as always at the Lighthouse Community Church, Hardley, Southampton, SO45 3NZ.
Last night I finished my summaries chapter by chapter of the Book of Ephesians which means I have completed 49 books, 1,103 chapters and 93% of the Bible, leaving me 86 chapters to go. So it's now Philippians here we come!
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Ephesians 6 (résumé): Children obey your parents & slaves your masters
Paul now concludes his letter further instructing the church at Ephesus how to live Godly lives. "Children obey your parents... honour your father and mother... Father don't exasperate your children but teach them about Jesus... slaves obey your masters... doing the will of God from your heart... serving as if you were serving the Lord... and masters treat your slaves knowing God is watching". Finally Paul exhorts the church to be spiritually prepared for life. "Be strong in the Lord... put on the full armour of God... for our battle isn't just against flesh and blood... stand firm with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the gospel of peace... shield of faith... helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit... be alert praying always... peace, love, faith and grace to all".
Ephesians 5 (résumé): Be imitators of God
In Ephesians 5 Paul continues to apply Christian principles to Christian living saying: "Be imitators of God... and there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality... and no obscenity, foolish talk or jokes near the bone... and don't let anyone deceive you with empty words... for you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord... so live as children of light... and be very careful how you live... and be wise... don't get drunk but be filled with the Spirit... and sing and make music in your heart to the Lord". Paul closes the chapter applying Christian principles to marriage saying: "Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord... the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church... husbands love your wives as their own bodies... husband and wife are one flesh... and the husband must love his wife and the wife respect her husband".