TwelveTwelve: The Leader Blog of North Wake Church

Hortatory Letter of Friendship While studying and reading to write this Meditation for Preparation, I came across a commentary on Philippians by Dr. Gordon Fee. His commentary begins by making the argument that the letter to the Philippians is a “Hortatory Letter of Friendship.'' If you are like me, “hortatory” isn’t a word that is in your everyday correspondence. Hortatory can be understood as exhorting or encouraging as well as edifying, advising, and instructing. This struck me in an illuminating way. Why? Because, when studying Philippians 2:12-18,  my legalistic, rule follower, to-do list, type “A” personality can view verses such

READ: Acts 16 When is the last time someone “showed up” for you? Not just in a text message or emoji prayer hands ?, but actually showed up in person—flesh and blood— at your door? For me, I can’t help but think about November 12th, the worst day of my life. The young Rolesville boy who died in the flash floods was my child. My son. As I fought to catch my breath, comfort my other children, and get myself off the floor… people came running. Family, friends, North Wake Elders. They hugged us, wept with us and prayed for

Read: Philippians 2:1-11 Philippians 2:1-11 may be one of the most familiar passages in the whole Bible.  Even though you may know it well, take a moment to read it through once again. If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look

Read: Philippians 1:18-30 Article Emphasis: Contradictions abound, but one choice is clear — strive together for the gospel. Illustrations: Charlie Brown is wishy-washy. Kids can’t decide to go or stay. Paul seems to be in the same mindset. Have you ever met someone who can’t make up their mind? They are in constant debate about what they should do, what they should buy, what they should eat, what they should wear, and so on. When my girls were little, they went through this phase where the decision to stay at home with Mommy or run an errand with Daddy could

Meditation for Preparation for Worship for August 1, 2021 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for

Pray: Father, please “open my eyes that I may see wonderful truths in your instructions.” (Psalm 119:18 NLT).  Read: Philippians 1:1-11, Acts 16:12-40 “Partakers with me of grace…. (1:7).” “Grace, grace, God‘s grace” is what formed the deep and cherished bond between Paul and the Philippian church. A bond so strong he “yearned for them with all the affection of Christ Jesus” and “[held] them in his heart (1:7,8).” Opposed minorities in a proud Roman city, they sought a different kingdom; feasted from a different table. They ate and drank holy mysteries—strength in weakness, deliverance from and through evil, and