Blog Archives

A blessing from prison

8/29/2025

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2 (ESV)
As we study Paul’s letter to the Philippians in the following insights, let us remember that, from Paul's perspective, these could well be his final words to his faithful Christian friends. As a result, all words are chosen carefully. This includes Paul’s greeting, where the words grace (Greek word charis) and peace (Greek word Eirene) have special meaning.

Here, Paul combines the greeting phrases of two great nations: Charis (Greek) and Eirene (Jewish). For Christians, the precious flavour of each word is enriched because it comes from God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

To the basic ideas in charis of joy and pleasure, brightness and beauty are added to the merciful kindness of God that strengthens us.

Eirene speaks of a unique peace that is much more than the absence of trouble. It refers to total well-being and harmony only found in Jesus, which prospers all aspects of life, builds good relationships, and keeps things safe.

Despite suffering in prison, Paul experienced this grace and peace. If you have a personal relationship with Christ, you can experience the same regardless of circumstances.

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Rejoicing from prison

8/29/2025

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Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Paul wrote these words while suffering in prison. He was weary, knowing he might soon be put to death. When soldiers face the uncertainties of war, they look for ways to comfort themselves and their loved ones back home. In many ways, Paul's letter is similar to a letter from a soldier facing the possibility of imminent death. Yet, the key words in this letter are Joy and Rejoice!

How is this possible? We will answer this question in future insights because it will help deal with grief, loss and trauma. For now, my prayer for each reader is that regardless of your circumstances, you will experience the grace and peace that Paul begins his letter with.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2 (ESV)

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God has a special book

8/29/2025

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You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Psalms 56:8

The third amazing idea in this verse is that God cares so much about every aspect of our life that he records them in a book. What may seem to us to be aimless and uncontrolled occurrences are to him important details about our life that are worth recording. This is an allusion (or reference) to the Book of Life.
"And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books" (Revelation 20:12).

"Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name" (Malachi 3:16).

God cares! Even though we seem insignificant compared to creation.
"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:4).

Are you crying out to Him? Are you spending time praying and reading the Bible? He is waiting for you!

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