Newkirk Church of Christ

Scott’s Thoughts

March 30, 2025

 

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:1–5, ESV)

Paul is writing from prison to the Church in Philippi. It warms my heart to know the love of God is able to carry someone beyond their daily troubles to a higher plane so they can look past their own struggles and pour their effort into others who need assistance. At one time the Apostle Paul had a mostly easy life and was admired for his stand against Christianity. Saul, as he was known then, was well educated in all the laws of Judaism and was trusted by the highest leaders of the Sanhedrion. With the warrants issued by them Paul set out to enforce the laws and made it his mission in life to put an end to Christianity by any means possible.

But on the road to Damascus Saul encountered Jesus, an encounter that changed his life completely and resulted in him becoming blind and after he received his sight back he became a Christian. Saul became Paul, The Apostle to the gentiles. His focus changed from being an enemy who destroyed Christians to being the one who preached and taught the Gospel of Jesus to all people of the world. The message he preached brought untold numbers of people into a relationship with Jesus Christ. That of course was God’s goal for him. I believe that what allowed him to be so successful was the fact that he genuinely loved the people he worked with. When he left a city, he took time to express his love for them by writing to them. Even when he was correcting them, he was loving. You can see that love expressed in the passage above. In fact, in all the books that he wrote in the New Testament, you can witness his care and concern for everyone. A number of those letters (books) were written from a prison cell.

More than once I have received a letter from someone in prison. For the most part they are not letters expressing love but asking for help and painting the dire situation they are in. Not so with Paul! His time in prison was just another opportunity to teach about Jesus. Sometimes I’m left wondering why I am where I am. The good news is that I have some of the best people in the world near me and I love working with them. This small community has allowed me to become a better person. I have come to love those around me as they offer me a chance to preach Jesus.

“For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,” (Philippians 1:8–9, ESV)

Thanks for listening and keep on shining.

—Scott

2020 Mission Trip to Kramatorsk, Ukraine

Day 1 & 2 | 10/12/20 | 10/13/20 | 10/14/20 10/16/20 | 10/17/20 | 10/18/20 | 10/18/20 10/19/20 | 10/20/20| 10/21/20 | 10/23/20  | 10/25/20 | Summary Report

 

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In Times of Stress

In Psalms 56, we read David’s words during a time of extreme stress. There came a time when the young warrior was captured by the Philistines in the area of Gath. You will recall that David defeated and killed the Philistines’ beloved warrior, Goliath, in battle (1 Samuel 17). Goliath’s hometown was Gath. You can imagine that this was a place where David was most hated. David gives us an idea of how dangerous this area was to him: It was there that David was being hunted down (Psalms 56:1-2); David’s enemies were spreading lies about him (Psalms 56:5); and they were constantly planning and scheming to destroy David (Psalms 56:6).

In the midst of all this stress and fear, David makes this amazing declaration of faith: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You …” and “… in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalms 56:3,11).

David knew that by actively choosing to trust in God, one can overcome fear and find peace even amidst the most difficult circumstances. So, whenever you are feeling anxious or threatened, turn to prayer and trust in God’s protection.

—Larry Fitzgerald

Woodlawn Church of Christ

Abilene, TX