The secular world seems to have fallen in love with commendations.  After centuries of demanding obedience as a duty for the privilege of being employed, many hospitals, offices, factories and retail outlets have walls decorated with plaques and certificates to the finest workers.  'Highly commended', 'best salesperson', 'most productive assembler', 'excellent customer relations' are some of the plaudits.  Of course, it is right to recognise and advertise such people.  Hard work, loyalty, enterprise and long service all come with a price tag - self-sacrifice.

Some churches mimic corporate business in the scale and complexity of their programmes.  And it may be necessary.  Larger or more diverse ministry settings demand a higher degree of organisation in order to get the right people in the right place at the right time.  But there is a dangerous illusion which lurks in the shadow of that style.  Bigger and busier does not always mean more blessing.  God's blessing is a mark of His relationship with us and comes through people, brothers and sisters who He sends in Christ's Name (Isaiah 65:23), rather than projects and buildings.  The people are t

Normal people are very concerned when loved ones are unwell or left alone.  Normal Christians feel like that about God's family in difficulties, wherever they may be.  Sickness had overtaken Epaphroditus after arriving to help Paul.  Word got back to believers in Philippi that their 'special envoy' was unwell, and as Epaphroditus heard of their concern, he was distressed to have caused them so much grief.  And at that time, they did not know that he had almost died.  Paul was deeply concerned for him too; and attributes his recovery to God's mercy - otherwise he would have been devastated a

Glad hearts are a tonic for everybody.  Nobody really wants to be surrounded by grumpy, morose, complaining, anxious or angry people.  Yet it is easy enough to become like that ourselves.  All we need is a little trouble of any kind, and we can spiral down into self-preservation mode, denying our security in Christ.  Paul is in prison, but he instructs 'free' people to rejoice in the Lord!  He does not apologise for repeating himself (Philippians 1:18; Philippians 2:17-18; Philippians 4:4; Philippians 4:10), because he knows that rejoicing is an essential spiritual protection.