Study Desk

Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit.

Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.

You have a special place in my heart. So it is only natural for me to feel the way I do. All of you have helped in the work that God has given me, as I defend the good news and tell about it here in jail.

God himself knows how much I want to see you. He knows that I care for you in the same way that Christ Jesus does.

But the ones who are jealous of us are not sincere. They just want to cause trouble for me while I am in jail.

If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more.

and he has blessed you. Not only do you have faith in Christ, but you suffer for him.

Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God's Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others.

Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person.

He almost died working for Christ, and he risked his own life to do for me what you could not.

Finally, my dear friends, be glad that you belong to the Lord. It doesn't bother me to write the same things to you that I have written before. In fact, it is for your own good.

Watch out for those people who behave like dogs! They are evil and want to do more than just circumcise you.

And I was so eager that I even made trouble for the church. I did everything the Law demands in order to please God.

My friends, I don't feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead.

My friends, I want you to follow my example and learn from others who closely follow the example we set for you.

that they are headed for hell! They worship their stomachs and brag about the disgusting things they do. All they can think about are the things of this world.

But we are citizens of heaven and are eagerly waiting for our Savior to come from there. Our Lord Jesus Christ

Each time we pray for you, we thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have heard of your faith in Christ and of your love for all of God's people,

because what you hope for is kept safe for you in heaven. You first heard about this hope when you believed the true message, which is the good news.