– Today’s Community Scripture – 9/24/2025
My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God. Pray About Everything. I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges. And, oh, yes, Syzygus, since you’re right there to help them work things out, do your best with them. These women worked for the Message hand in hand with Clement and me, and with the other veterans, worked as hard as any of us. Remember, their names are also in the Book of Life. Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw, and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Philippians 4:1–9 (MSG)
– Reflection:
The two women who played a key role in helping Paul develop the message for the Philippians had a disagreement with each other. It’s unclear what the disagreement was, as it isn’t discussed in the Bible passage from which this reflection comes. This situation might be similar to a husband and wife having disagreements, with neither wanting to yield to the other’s point of view. The Bible teaches us from this passage that it’s best to set aside such conflicts and focus on what the Word says we should do by praying. Prayer is for us and for the souls of others, calling on the Holy Trinity for help, not just to see our side or gain power for ourselves, but to honor Christ by forgiving them, regardless of our differences. Prayer for everyone is important, but we should also practice what Paul and others did: uniting a community that is inclusive of everyone who seeks what GOD desires. Pray for our wives and husbands alike, pray for our families and friends, asking for Jesus to come into all of those hearts, softening them to the work that is needed.
– Where do we go from here?
We move forward by embracing the example Paul set—choosing unity over division and prayer over pride. When disagreements arise, even among those doing God’s work, we are called not to dwell on the conflict but to seek reconciliation through prayer and humility. Our next step is to pray earnestly not just for ourselves, but for our spouses, families, and communities, asking Christ to soften hearts and guide us toward His will. Let us build a community that reflects God’s inclusive love, where forgiveness is freely given and unity is actively pursued. In doing so, we honor Christ and strengthen the body of believers.
– Our Prayer for Today
Father, thank You for the gift of this day and for the people You’ve placed in our lives. Help us walk in unity, even when we don’t see eye to eye. Teach us to lay down our pride and embrace Your peace. Soften our hearts, Lord, and help us forgive as You have forgiven us. We pray for our spouses, our families, and our friends. May Your love fill their hearts and guide their steps. Where there is tension, bring healing. Where there is silence, bring understanding. Where there is hurt, bring comfort. Let our prayers be for Your will to be done in every relationship and home, not for power or control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God. Pray About Everything. I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges. And, oh, yes, Syzygus, since you’re right there to help them work things out, do your best with them. These women worked for the Message hand in hand with Clement and me, and with the other veterans, worked as hard as any of us. Remember, their names are also in the Book of Life. Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw, and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Philippians 4:1–9 (MSG)
– Reflection:
The two women who played a key role in helping Paul develop the message for the Philippians had a disagreement with each other. It’s unclear what the disagreement was, as it isn’t discussed in the Bible passage from which this reflection comes. This situation might be similar to a husband and wife having disagreements, with neither wanting to yield to the other’s point of view. The Bible teaches us from this passage that it’s best to set aside such conflicts and focus on what the Word says we should do by praying. Prayer is for us and for the souls of others, calling on the Holy Trinity for help, not just to see our side or gain power for ourselves, but to honor Christ by forgiving them, regardless of our differences. Prayer for everyone is important, but we should also practice what Paul and others did: uniting a community that is inclusive of everyone who seeks what GOD desires. Pray for our wives and husbands alike, pray for our families and friends, asking for Jesus to come into all of those hearts, softening them to the work that is needed.
– Where do we go from here?
We move forward by embracing the example Paul set—choosing unity over division and prayer over pride. When disagreements arise, even among those doing God’s work, we are called not to dwell on the conflict but to seek reconciliation through prayer and humility. Our next step is to pray earnestly not just for ourselves, but for our spouses, families, and communities, asking Christ to soften hearts and guide us toward His will. Let us build a community that reflects God’s inclusive love, where forgiveness is freely given and unity is actively pursued. In doing so, we honor Christ and strengthen the body of believers.
– Our Prayer for Today
Father, thank You for the gift of this day and for the people You’ve placed in our lives. Help us walk in unity, even when we don’t see eye to eye. Teach us to lay down our pride and embrace Your peace. Soften our hearts, Lord, and help us forgive as You have forgiven us. We pray for our spouses, our families, and our friends. May Your love fill their hearts and guide their steps. Where there is tension, bring healing. Where there is silence, bring understanding. Where there is hurt, bring comfort. Let our prayers be for Your will to be done in every relationship and home, not for power or control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.