NEWS, ARTICLES, DEVOTIONS AND MORE FROM BttB...

As Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians from jail, he reminded them of something very important. As Christ-followers, the eyes of the world are upon us. As citizens of heaven, we've been given the responsibility of shining God's light to our neighborhoods, and the rest of the world. Find out more from Paul about how we can thrive as we live our lives for Christ.

Do you imagine God holding a clipboard and checking items off a list as He watches your life, evaluating your worthiness for heaven? "Baptized--check"; "Church attendance--check"; "Tithing--". While religious rituals and practices have their place in the life of faith, they have nothing to do with our salvation. We'll be reminded of God's great love for us in this important message.

Humility can be a hard word to swallow, especially when everything inside us tells us to stand up and fight. But as Paul continues his encouraging letter to the Philippians, he challenges them to live a life of humility. And as an example, he points to the life of Jesus Himself. Find out more about the power of a humble servant in today's message.

If you were to guess about the overall tone of a letter sent from a prisoner, would you think it to be a joyful letter? That's exactly what we get in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians. Rather than dwell on his circumstances, we'll see how Paul finds joy even while in jail. As we begin this study, we'll learn a bit more about what motivates Paul to continue his work for Christ.

Faithfulness is one of the most important attributes a Christian can demonstrate--because it is one of the most important attributes of God Himself! Because we are able to constantly rely on our unchanging Father, our life gains a foundation of bedrock on which we can build a life that can withstand whatever storm. Paul encourages this same faithfulness in his readers' lives as he concludes this important letter.

If it seems like God is asking a lot out of His followers, well, He is. But He is also promising a lot of help! Today Paul encourages his readers by telling them about the armor of God that protects us from the schemes and plans of the enemies of God. Find out more about your divine defenses as we draw near to the end of our study of Ephesians.

The way we treat our loved ones paints a vivid picture of the way we love our God. And it affects how the world perceives Him. As Christ-followers, every aspect of our life is to be lived under the guidance and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul explains more about this important instruction as he continues his letter to the Ephesians.

There is perhaps no greater picture of our relationship with God than can be seen in our relationship with our spouse. If one is in trouble, likely both are in trouble! Paul continues his letter to the Ephesians with a discussion on how to show love honor and respect in the home and tells us how this reflects upon our relationship with Christ.

Have you ever thought of the importance of music in our worship of God? It's been part of the church service from the very beginning. Paul encourages our songs as he continues his letter to the Ephesians, and then has a few words about living a well-organized life at home.

What does a life lived for Christ look like? How do we live in love? A lot of people think they know the answer but end up drawing people away from Christ by the way they live. Paul continues his letter to the Ephesians by helping us understand how to live like Christ, and how to avoid those who would pull us away.

As a Christian, are you mentoring someone, or being mentored by by an older believer? Passing along what we know and supporting others is a major part of sharing the Gospel. Paul will talk to us more in his letter to the Ephesians about the gifts God has given us, and the importance of living a life that honors God.

As you walk with Christ, you'll begin to look more and more like Him in the way you act and respond to other people, believers included. At least, that's how it should be. Paul reminds us today of these characteristics and explains why unity among the believers is so vital in this world that so often seeks to divide.

Ephesians chapter 2 stands as one of the most important passages of the Bible. Here we see exactly the method and the purpose behind our salvation. As we examine these verses, we can praise God that he hasn't left so important a message to be guessed at--it's there plainly for all to read.

After Galatians, we find Paul's letter to the Ephesians--a letter written while in prison. So it may seem strange that Paul begins his letter by talking about the blessing he--and all believers--enjoy in Christ! Find out more as we begin our look at this important letter.

The Christian will always face opposition. Whether others just passively ignore us, or are outwardly hostile to our message, we as believers will constantly find our perseverance tested. That's why Paul closes his letter to the Galatians with some encouraging words and some motivation to never grow tired of doing good.

When rain falls on a field, soon, new life begins sprouting. And a similar thing happens when we put our faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts. Find out more about this new life that the Holy Spirit brings and learn what distinguishes it from those who choose to try to follow the law instead.

A question one has to consider when understanding the grace of Jesus Christ is, why did the ancient Israelites have such a strict law then? If that law can't save us, what was its purpose? Paul takes some time to answer that question as he continues his letter to the Galatian believers.

From the very beginning, people have been trying to add on to the Gospel of Salvation--usually for their own benefit. But as we begin our study of Galatians, we'll be reminded that salvation is free for anyone who simply believes the truth about Jesus and His great love for us.

There are lots of things in the Bible that are up for interpretation. But we can praise God that one thing that is crystal clear in His Word is the plan of salvation. Not only can we know how to be made right with God, we can be assured that His love will never fail us. As Paul concludes his letter to the Corinthians, he share encouragement as we grow in maturity.

No one enjoys physical suffering--it hardly even needs to be said. But it remains a fact that suffering is, or will be, part of many of our lives. It was true for Paul as well. But God helped Paul find a purpose and a way to grow through his suffering. And in his letter to the Corinthians, he shares that Good News that is sure to be a comfort to you as well.

The more we walk with Christ, the more distinct our lives become. And so it's all the more problematic when we team up with other believers. But what does this mean on a practical level? As we continue our series we'll consider what partnership with unbelievers actually means and learn how to be an ambassador without compromising our beliefs.

The Christian life is not lived in isolation. As Paul reminds his readers in his letter to the Corinthians, as people watch us, they make judgments about the God we serve. We are called to live as ambassadors of Christ, urging others to be reconciled with Christ. Find out more about how to live this life in today's message.

What happens after we die? Do we lie unconscious in the grave till Christ returns at some point in the future? Or do we immediately go to be in the presence of Jesus? Many people believe in one or the other, but in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul clearly points to the latter option. Find out more about this as we continue our study.

The Great Commission would be a lot easier to carry out if people always believed the Good News. But, there are other forces at work in the world conspiring to keep people in the darkness. As Paul continues his letter, he'll talk about the trials he has faced and give us encouragement to never give up.