Author: Michael Smith

The world and life in it are ridiculously difficult. The longer I am here, the more convinced I become that Heaven is going to be infinitely better. Nevertheless, we know we are on a mission for the Lord. We are called to be His witnesses throughout the entire journey He has planned for us.

I want you to know that I would not trade a second of my life here. One only needs to meet my family to understand how blessed I have been in so many ways. Still, the goal for anyone who has accepted Christ is to be in Heaven with the Lord.

Paul expressed his frustration in choosing to carry on. He knew that God called him to build the church across Europe and Asia. He felt that he was where God wanted him to be. However, as he lived chained between two guards in a palace cell, he had to long for those days when journied from church to church, witnessing lives being changed, and participating in the establishment and thriving of new churches. Paul was blunt when he said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Paul had let go of the life he had lived. He was fully committed. Whether he was in a cell or traveling to a Macedonian city, Paul knew he would never again feel at home on this earth.

As God’s chosen ones, we also need to release our hold on this life. We should live each day as if we are journeying toward home from a distant land. In this journey, we should cherish the gifts He gives us—family, purpose, friends, food, shelter, and any other form of wealth that the Lord entrusts to us.

However, like Paul, we must keep our eyes and hearts focused on the ultimate prize. We cannot allow the world and our love for it to disqualify or nullify the many gifts and ministries we have at our disposal.

Like Paul, we need to view life through a lens that reminds us that to live is Christ and to die is gain. If we do so, fears will dissipate, times spent with friends and family will become even richer, and our perspective on each and every aspect of our life will draw us closer to the reality that we are one day closer to being home.

God Bless You.

¹⁹ for I know that this will turn out for my ^[q]deliverance through your ^[r]prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ^22 [s]But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know ^[t]which to choose. ²³ But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; ²⁴ yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy ^[u]in the faith, ²⁶ so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one ^[v]mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. ²⁹ For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

If I’m being honest, I really, really would love to avoid suffering. I have never woken up from a night’s rest hoping that my day would be filled with trials and suffering. I’m quite certain that Paul didn’t wake up relishing the idea of beatings, shipwrecks, stoning, prison, or death either.

However, the truth is that the greatest spiritual growth and refinement in my walk with God have come in the midst of trials and suffering. Those events in my life drive me closer to the Lord. I feel compelled to pray, to prepare for challenges, and to seek God’s guidance as I navigate daily battles.

Paul was encouraging the precious community to not be discouraged by reports of his circumstances. What the people couldn’t see was the daily impact Paul was making.  His guards were the palace guards acting as Caesar’s personal bodyguards and were assigned to his confinement. They heard the Gospel and Jesus’ message of inclusion every day and it was making a difference. 

The Christians outside the palace were inspired by Paul’s fearlessness and, in turn, became bolder in spreading the gospel! Furthermore, these guards held positions of influence and assisted in Paul’s plan to spread the gospel to the far reaches of the empire through this amazing Roman Cohort!

Even Paul’s enemies were becoming bold in order to prove they were as courageous as Paul. So, as he sat chained between two soldiers day in and day out, he essentially became the hub of the 1st-century Worldwide Web!

It’s easy to become discouraged when facing trials. The world hates God and has little sympathy for those who follow Him. If we remain faithful even in the midst of difficult battles, God will not only walk through those battles with us, but He will also use us to spread His message to many who would otherwise never hear.

If God uses our struggles to further His kingdom, then we, like Paul, ought to not only rejoice, but continue rejoicing! 

God Bless You.

¹² Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, ¹³ so that my ^[i]imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole ^[j]praetorian guard and to everyone else, ¹⁴ and that most of the ^[k]brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my ^[l]imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. ¹⁵ Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even ^[m]from envy and strife, but some also ^[n]from goodwill; ¹⁶ the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; ¹⁷ the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition ^[o]rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my ^[p]imprisonment. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that this will turn out for my ^[q]deliverance through your ^[r]prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

There are certain people who deeply touch your heart. As you walk with the Lord throughout the years, you occasionally encounter people in whom you can invest your life, and they, in turn, utilize that energy to spread the gospel. Barnabas had that kind of relationship with Paul and felt great joy as he read Paul’s instructions on the grace to the churches, knowing that he had played a part in shaping Paul’s spiritual journey. 

God has graciously blessed me on my journey with several people I hold close to my heart, as Paul did the Philippians. One such person is my friend, Jeff. After numerous discussions about his need to have a relationship with Christ, he remained ambivalent. One afternoon as we sat across the table from one another, I grew frustrated with him, reaching a point of exasperation. I grabbed a napkin off the table and  drafted an agreement that said, “God, I will follow You if You reveal Yourself to me.” Jeff signed the agreement. Naturally (or supernaturally), God did reveal Himself to Jeff and now almost 20 years later, he is still walking with the Lord. He still has the napkin in his wallet!

Not long ago, I received a note from Jeff that his daughter had been baptized as an adult—an answer to many prayers. Folks like Jeff find a place in your heart. They pray for you and continue walking with God, whether you are physically present or not. Paul expressed to the Philippians that they were deeply rooted in his heart because they stood by him through thick and thin. He loved them and knew they would always be an impactful church.

As believers, we constantly seek opportunities to share the Lord with those we encounter. Those who accept His invitation and begin their own Christian journey will bring both laughter and tears to our hearts. They will always hold a special place in your heart. The great thing is God has made our hearts remarkably elastic—we never run out of room to welcome another person into those special places in our hearts! We are truly fortunate and blessed.

God Bless You 

This summer, on Fridays, I want to focus on some pivotal Bible verses and explore their Greek terms. Often, the depth and vibrance of a Bible verse translated into English eludes us due to the lack of cultural context and a complete understanding of the words used by the original writer in their time.

Colossians 2:6-7 reads as follows: “6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”

In this passage, Paul addresses the long-term journey of being a disciple. As disciples of Christ, we acknowledge that we are on a path that leads to eternity. Therefore, while walking with Christ, there are two significant disciplines we must train ourselves in to make the most of this journey.

The first discipline, as emphasized by Paul, is to be firmly rooted in the faith. The Greek term used here is “errizōmenoi.” “Errizomenoi” is an agricultural principle that describes the process of allowing the root system of plants to deeply penetrate the soil, making it difficult to uproot them. This process also enables the plant to access the necessary water and minerals for thriving, even in unfavorable surface conditions.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 supports this notion, stating, “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. 8 He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.”

The second aspect, “epoikodomoumenoi,” is an architectural term. It refers to the construction of a structure from a solid foundation, ensuring its ability to withstand any challenges it encounters. For instance, during the peak of the Babylonian empire, the city of Babylon had remarkably tall and wide walls, which were even used for chariot races. These walls were impervious to battles and kept any invading army at bay. The Assyrians were unable to breach these walls, leading to the downfall of their great empire.

As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this same resilience. We are to trust in God so profoundly that we can thrive despite any circumstances. Additionally, we should be built up and resolute, preventing any enemy forces from breaking through our defenses. The best part is that God takes care of the planting and building. Our role is simply to trust Him as the master gardener and builder. May the Lord help me to trust Him to plant me by the stream and construct me into a formidable fortress.
God Bless You.

As someone naturally inclined towards ADD, I often find myself diving into ambitious projects, only to be sidetracked by various distractions and abandoning them for days, weeks, or even months. Amidst my focus on other endeavors, I occasionally stumble upon one of my half-completed projects, covered in dust. It’s in these moments that I am profoundly grateful that God doesn’t exhibit such behavior.

God recognizes that salvation is not a fleeting experience but rather a lifelong journey. After our initial faith in the Lord justifies us, we embark on a process of transformation, transitioning from a sinful and lost state to becoming more like Christ. This ongoing process is known as sanctification, a beautiful metamorphosis into new creations in Christ Jesus, as beautifully described by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:17.

The enemy often exploits this process, seeking to instill doubt within us. Despite knowing that we’re being transformed, we often grow impatient and desire to set the process aside, eagerly moving on to the next significant endeavor. Thankfully, we can be grateful to God, the master designer, and craftsman, who never abandons our sanctification midway like I sometimes do with my projects. He faithfully carries out our sanctification until the time of our death or the return of Christ.

In Romans 7, Paul laments his ongoing struggle with sin and the world. He confesses that he continues to engage in actions he wishes to avoid while failing to carry out those he should. This deeply resonates with me. However, Paul reminds us in Romans 8:1 that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. These struggles are merely a part of the transformation process, during which the Father smooths our rough edges and refines our imperfections, always diligently working on the project and always on time.

God Bless You

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Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the ^[a]saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, ^[b]including the overseers and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, ⁵ in view of your ^[c]participation in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. ^7 [d]For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my ^[e]imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the ^[f]affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may ^[g]approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless ^[h]until the day of Christ; ¹¹ having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul opens the letter to the Philippians with a unique greeting: “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Christ Jesus.” Understanding the cultural context of that time, this title carries significant implications. Slavery was commonplace, and many individuals became slaves due to poverty, war, or criminal acts. Unlike the modern understanding of slavery, these individuals often served as slaves for a limited period before being granted freedom to return to their former lives.

If a slave had a strong bond with their family, they could choose to remain with them after being freed. They would be marked by piercing their ear on the family doorpost and given a special ring, indicating their lifelong commitment to the family’s service. These individuals were known as bondservants.

Paul’s message was simple: he and Timothy were slaves by choice, committed to Christ for life. They would never leave the service of the Lord. Even while imprisoned, Paul remained dedicated to spreading the Gospel. Having been freed from the law on the road to Damascus, he spent the rest of his life as a willing slave and humble servant.

We cannot live our daily lives as servants to the world or its culture. The world grinds its slaves into despair and death, offering no boundaries or rules and trapping people in the slavery of self-interest. However, when we accept the Lord into our lives, we experience liberation as new creations in Christ.

If we, like Paul, are willing to trust and follow the Lord, He rewards us with a meaningful life on Earth and eternity in His presence. We can never leave because in making the decision to become “bondservants,” we finally discover the true freedom we have always longed for. Our Heavenly Father will always treat us as His children, protecting, preparing, and providing for us as only a father can. It is the most extraordinary life of serving imaginable.

God Bless You.

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Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the ^[a]saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, ^[b]including the overseers and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, ⁵ in view of your ^[c]participation in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. ^7 [d]For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my ^[e]imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the ^[f]affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may ^[g]approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless ^[h]until the day of Christ; ¹¹ having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

We can never be too grateful for what the Lord Has provided! We can also never forget what folks have traded for us to be free!

God Bless You

In our lives, the mere thought of some people brings joy to our hearts. Personally, I have been blessed with a group of friends and whenever their names appear on my phone or email, I’m reminded I am being prayed for and will never truly be alone. God knew I needed such people to keep me focused on my goals and I continually praise God for them.

This reminds me of the Church at Philippi. Paul’s recollections of this community include an earthquake that led to the salvation of a jailer and his family. Paul recalls the days when he wondered if he could go any further and it was then that the Philippians sent a care package that met his needs.

From start to finish, one can sense Paul’s deep and unwavering devotion to these people, just as the Philippians brought joy to his heart. It reminds us of the significance of genuine fellowship and spiritual companionship in our lives.

However, the Philippians were facing suffering. Rome was exerting pressure and persecution was on the rise. In the midst of their challenges, Paul wrote this letter to encourage them, just as they had encouraged him on numerous occasions.

Personally, Philippians is my favorite book in the Bible. In these four concise chapters, Paul addresses almost every practical question about living as a believer. He is candid about his personal struggles and frustrations, yet he never loses sight of redirecting his dear friends to their faith in every difficult decision. The keyword here is “rejoice!” By choosing to rejoice in the Lord, we tap into a deeper wellspring of joy that remains unshaken by external factors. It is a joy grounded in our relationship with God, knowing that He is sovereign, faithful, and working all things together for our good.

I can personally testify that his wisdom has sustained me and guided me back so many times to what truly matters—the Lord! I am excited to share my favorite Bible book with you.

God Bless You

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Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the ^[a]saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, ^[b]including the overseers and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, ⁵ in view of your ^[c]participation in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. ^7 [d]For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my ^[e]imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the ^[f]affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may ^[g]approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless ^[h]until the day of Christ; ¹¹ having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

After spending 22 years in Wisconsin, you finally discover what to do in February. Each morning, you meticulously layer your clothing, donning coats, scarves, and gloves before bracing yourself as you step outside into the bone-chilling “real feel” of -35 degrees. No matter how many layers you wear, it’s impossible to shield yourself from the cold without preparing yourself mentally.

Likewise, Paul reminds the Ephesians that as soldiers and servants of Christ, we must equip ourselves with spiritual armor and prepare for the battle ahead. We clothe ourselves in salvation, faith, righteousness, truth, and peace. Even after assembling all these layers of protection and wielding the sword of the Spirit, Paul instructs us to brace ourselves and stand firm!

I have witnessed this pattern in my own life and in the lives of those close to me. We start off prepared for the enemy, but over time we become somewhat complacent and careless. Pride in our righteousness sneaks in and our focus shifts from our identity in Christ to our personal accomplishments.

Then, out of nowhere, we are blindsided by the enemy, who patiently waits for the perfect moment when we are distracted and strategically delivers a devastating blow. Because we were caught off guard, we crumble like a flimsy cardboard box. Filled with anger, defeat, embarrassment, we are rendered ineffective. We stumble away, behaving more like a captive than a warrior.

The incredible news is that although the enemy revels in accusing us, the Lord has already forgiven us when we stumble. He simply urges us to rise up, rearm ourselves, and prepare for the next attack. We persistently pray and press on, leaving the past behind, but always remembering who we are and to whom we belong. We become vigilant and focused on pushing back the enemy and rescuing the lost and wounded. We must never forget that this journey spans eternity and while we may falter, true failure only occurs if we refuse to rise and continue moving forward.

God Bless You 

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against [a]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [b]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

^18 [c]With all prayer and petition ^[d]pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, ^[e]be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

In law enforcement and special forces combat training, one of the most challenging components is an obstacle course known as Hogan’s Alley. This course involves a series of targets, some representing enemies and others innocent bystanders. The objective is to learn how to engage the enemies while avoiding harm to the innocents.

The course is physically demanding, and it’s all too easy to rush through and unintentionally harm an innocent person or overlook an enemy. It takes repeated and intensive training for a soldier or officer to complete the course without causing harm to innocents and successfully neutralizing all enemy targets.

Paul reminds us that we are engaged in a battle and must be prepared to confront the enemy in their own territory. It is a spiritual equivalent of Hogan’s Alley. We must enter the fray fully equipped and ready. First, we should bear in mind that we cannot rely on our own strength to fight the enemy! It is simply beyond our capability. Satan and his army are not novices in this battle, nor are they of inferior quality.

When Lucifer was expelled from Heaven, along with a third of the angels, they were by no means feeble or useless. Nevertheless, they were no match for the Lord. Jesus reminds us in John 16:33, “In this world, you will face tribulations, but take heart, for I have overcome the world.”

That is why our primary duty to God is to allow Him to strengthen us with His absolute and immense power. We were never meant to engage in battle or stand firm in our own power. Even when Jesus confronted Satan in the wilderness following His baptism, the Scriptures tell us in Luke 4:1, “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, being tempted by the devil for forty days.” When we face the enemy, it may be on their turf, but it is never on their terms.

As we encounter the trials and tribulations that life presents, we can navigate through the enemy’s “Hogan’s Alley” knowing that we do so in the power of the Spirit, the same power that enabled the Lord Himself to confront and overcome Satan. More to come tomorrow!

God Bless You

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against ^[a]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ^16 [b]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

^18 [c]With all prayer and petition ^[d]pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, ^[e]be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,