Paul's warning in Philippians 3:2 is strikingly direct—he calls out those who promote external religion, those who insist that outward rituals are necessary for true spirituality. These "dogs," as he calls them, are not beloved household pets but scavengers feeding on what should be discarded—rituals that once had meaning but are now obsolete in Christ.

Psalm 91:10 declares a profound truth: “No evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent.” The psalmist paints a picture of absolute protection—one that extends beyond physical safety to a deeper reality: the security of our life in Christ.

We are familiar with terms like waterproof and fireproof, but what about being sin-proof? The devotional writer suggests that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and clothed in Christ’s righteousness, the enemy’s attacks lose their grip. Just as red-hot iron repels water, a heart ablaze with Christ’s life resists the enemy’s schemes.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a past event—it is a present reality that infuses our daily lives with victory. Through Christ, we have been set free from sin’s dominion and death’s finality. His triumph is not merely something we acknowledge but something we experience, as we live in the power of His indwelling life.

Oswald Chambers reminds us of a vital truth: God's promises aren’t merely comforts to cling to—they place a loving but unmistakable claim on our lives. Yes, we rightly delight in God’s promises, trusting He will fulfill every word. But there’s more—there’s our response. Holiness isn’t something we passively receive; it’s cultivated in us by the Spirit’s active presence, leading us toward purity out of profound reverence for God.

When counseling those who suffer or struggle, the language we choose reveals much about how deeply we understand our calling. Recently, I encountered an article titled "Dealing with a Disappointing Counselee" by Joshua Greiner, published through ACBC. While the intent behind the piece may certainly be honorable, I find myself gently questioning whether the approach and wording align fully with a Christ-centered, grace-oriented, exchanged life perspective.

Today's Abide Above devotional gently highlights the true essence and cost of authentic Christian leadership—sacrificial love. It reveals the stark contrast between worldly leaders who rule with power, ease, or convenience, and the true shepherds of God's flock, whose leadership mirrors the self-giving love of Jesus. Genuine leaders do not lead from self-interest or convenience. Instead, they willingly endure hardships, misunderstanding, and even neglect, quietly serving as bridges to guide others safely into a deeper relationship with Christ. This self-sacrificial posture involves absorbing criticism, patiently enduring complaints, and steadfastly pressing onward in love. The ultimate example is Christ Himself, who did not count equality with God as something to cling to but humbled Himself completely, even to death on a cross. As the bridge quietly bears the weight of those who cross it, unseen and uncelebrated, true leaders joyfully accept obscurity and sacrifice because their eyes are fixed upon the unseen eternal Architect who sees, knows, and cares.

In their recent discussion, Dale Johnson and Marshall Adkins address the concept of integration within Christian counseling, aiming to clarify that integration is not a uniform concept but a spectrum with distinct variations. Integration, as they explain, generally describes combining biblical truth with secular psychology to create counseling methods or strategies. Johnson and Adkins carefully outline several ways Christians approach this integration, such as interdisciplinary integration (blending theological truths with psychological theories), worldview integration (removing ideas conflicting with Christianity and retaining what aligns with a Christian worldview), and various forms of eclecticism, including technical, theoretical, and assimilative approaches.

Spiritual complacency is a challenge many believers face. It creeps in subtly, often masked by routine or discouragement, leaving us disengaged from the vibrancy of life in Christ. Nate Graham’s article, How Malachi Counseled Cold Complacency, offers a thoughtful analysis of spiritual apathy and how biblical counseling can address it. He rightly identifies complacency as a resistance to recognizing God’s love, and he sees Malachi’s message as an antidote—confronting Israel’s coldness not first with judgment, but with the unshakable love of God. Graham’s approach is well-grounded in Scripture, and his call for counselees to journal evidence of God’s preserving love is a practical step in renewing gratitude.

Opposition is an ever-present reality in God's work. Ezra 4 vividly shows how adversaries from the surrounding regions—Samaria, Ashdod, Ammon, Moab, and Edom—tried to undermine the Jews’ rebuilding of the temple. These were people who had been forcibly relocated by Assyrian kings Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal generations earlier. While they initially offered assistance in building, their offer was rightly refused—not out of racial prejudice, but out of spiritual fidelity. These adversaries worshiped false gods, and their inclusion would have contaminated the purity of the worship of Yahweh. When rejected, they didn’t retreat quietly; instead, they persistently employed psychological tactics, intimidation, and political maneuvers to halt the building of the temple. Their opposition spanned multiple Persian kings, from Cyrus through Darius, Xerxes (Ahasuerus), and Artaxerxes.

In Ezekiel 25, the Grace and Truth Study Bible expositors clearly emphasize God’s sovereign power over all nations, revealing that He is not limited merely to the borders of Israel. While this chapter contains prophecies against neighboring nations—Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia—it was primarily intended to reassure and instruct Israel. Each nation mentioned had mistreated Judah, and God would hold them accountable not only for their outward actions but for the deeper malice in their hearts. The Ammonites gloated arrogantly over Judah’s downfall, Moab rejoiced at Israel’s suffering, Edom exploited Judah’s vulnerability out of vengeance, and the Philistines maliciously sought revenge during Judah’s weakest moments.

Job's words in chapter 27 mark the beginning of his closing reflections—intense, honest declarations about his relationship with God. Despite accusations from friends, Job confidently affirms his integrity and righteousness before God. His friends have labeled him a hypocrite, falsely assuming that his suffering is due to hidden sin. Yet Job resolutely maintains his innocence, not out of pride, but because he treasures his clear conscience and his right standing with God above all earthly blessings. His faithfulness isn't conditional upon receiving good things from God; rather, Job worships and trusts God simply because of who God is—a timeless expression of true faith, pointing forward to Jesus Christ, who would perfectly embody righteousness centuries later.

Paul continually reminds us to "rejoice in the Lord" because rejoicing isn’t just an emotion; it's the natural overflow of a heart confidently resting in the sufficiency of Christ. It's the unmistakable sign of spiritual vitality, revealing a believer who truly trusts that Christ is adequate to face every circumstance in and through him. Paul emphasizes this joy repeatedly—not because it's easy or because our circumstances naturally lend themselves to happiness, but precisely because genuine joy is independent of outward conditions. Instead, it's rooted deeply in the reality of our union with Christ.

In a recent discussion during a biblical counseling group, a pastor friend made an interesting comment regarding how we as believers interact with Scripture. He emphasized strongly—and rightly so—the importance of studying and applying the Word of God. He mentioned that in counseling, he instructs his counselees to identify behaviors clearly spelled out in the Bible, intentionally putting off what grieves the Holy Spirit and putting on behaviors that please Christ.

Today's devotional from Days of Heaven reminds me of the beauty and freedom that we as believers have in Christ through the new covenant—a covenant God promised long ago, rooted deeply in His unchanging faithfulness. It highlights the profound contrast between trying to fulfill God’s righteousness by striving in our own strength under the law, and simply trusting Christ’s grace, which freely bestows upon us His very righteousness.

The power and beauty of Christ’s resurrection reveal two profound truths that transform everything for us as believers: Jesus conquered both sin and the condemnation brought by the Law. Death gained its fearful sting because of sin, and sin’s power was strengthened by God’s righteous law, which highlighted humanity’s guilt. Adam's rebellion ushered sin into the world, and through sin, death spread to everyone. Without intervention, humanity stood powerless, unable to remove the crushing weight of guilt and condemnation that the law exposed.

Oswald Chambers emphasizes that our primary goal in life must be pleasing Christ Himself, not merely achieving great ministry successes such as winning souls, planting churches, or stirring revivals. Though these goals are good, they fall short if disconnected from the ultimate ambition of bringing joy and satisfaction to Jesus. Paul exemplifies this singular devotion: his eyes fixed solely on Christ's approval, disregarding applause or criticism from others. Chambers reminds us that spiritual failure doesn't typically stem from insufficient spiritual experiences but from drifting away from this central ambition.

In today’s devotional from Abide Above, C.A. Coates beautifully contrasts two foundational realities for believers—our life in Adam versus our new life in Christ. Romans 7 vividly portrays the struggle of one who discovers through the law the miserable truth of life lived independently in Adam, filled with defeat and bondage. But Romans 8 offers a breathtaking picture of liberation: the believer who joyfully lives out the reality of being "in Christ," set free from the relentless cycle of sin and death by the powerful principle of "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus."

Recently, I was guiding a dear friend through some intrusive and recurring thoughts about death. Although he deeply believes in Christ and knows intellectually that he will go to heaven, the fear of death has continued to plague him. He described his struggle as a constant internal battle, recognizing truth in his head but feeling something very different in his heart. He expressed frustration, saying, “I keep trying to live the exchanged life, but it’s not working.”

A vital and often debated theological issue among Christians concerns the nature of sanctification—the process by which believers are progressively conformed to Christ’s image. Specifically, believers wrestle with how sanctification is achieved. Is it through a cooperative effort between God and believers (synergism), as held by traditions like Eastern Orthodox Christianity, or is it fully a work of God’s grace, to which believers respond by yielding moment by moment to Christ’s indwelling life (monergism through yieldedness)? As someone deeply rooted in the exchanged life theology, which emphasizes Christ living His life in and through believers, I find this distinction critical for understanding and experiencing genuine transformation in Christ.

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 11 reveal his deep frustration and sorrow over the Corinthians’ lack of discernment. False teachers, who disguise themselves as righteous but are actually servants of Satan, have infiltrated the church. These men boast in their eloquence, charge for their teaching, and elevate themselves in ways that appear strong but ultimately enslave the Corinthians. In contrast, Paul refuses to accept payment, humbles himself for their sake, and boasts not in worldly credentials but in his suffering for Christ.