Project: Philippians

 (Phil 1:6) Who are you, really? When most of us tend to think of ourselves and our "identity" -- who we truly are -- as the person that we are right now. "I just am who I am," we assume, "nothing more, nothing less." The problem with that mentality is that it is all too short-sighted. If you want to think of yourself from a biblical standpoint (i.e., from God's perspective), then you'll need to take a step back and look at the much grander picture. From God's viewpoint, your identity is not defined by who you are right now, but by who you will become. True artists don't see their empty canvas. They see the masterpiece that will one day (and forever) be displayed on it. And that is how God sees us.You, my friend, are God's masterpiece; unfinished, of course, but only for a brief moment. In God's eyes He can already see the perfect work of art that you will one day be. And that, my friend, is your true identity. This profound truth was deeply embedded in Paul's own heart and mind, and it is what brought him unending Joy even as he sat in a Roman dungeon. Join with me today as we listen to Paul reminiscing and rejoicing in this breathtaking reality.I'd love to hear from you! KevinMote@live.com.Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Phil 1:9a) Today I just want to take a seat on the bench next to Paul and listen in as he demonstrates that activity that I believe was the beating heart of his ministry and the real power behind his explosive apostolic influence: PRAYER.I believe it is critical for me to pay close attention to his prayers because, whatever was on Paul's heart and mind when he bent his knees and turned his soul toward heaven, should be the central aim of my heart as well. (And -- spoiler aleart: I've got a ways to go!)I'd love to hear from you! KevinMote@live.com.Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode is an intermission from our regular routine. I hope you don't mind, but I chose to take a short break from our normal cadence of podcast recordings to reminisce about a dear saint who gave me life and taught me the way that I should go. I was on a road trip to my hometown of SLO, quietly remembering my mother's passing, earlier this year. And so I thought it might be appropriate to pause from my scriptural studies in order to spend a few moments remembering the woman who first taught me what a love for scripture.looks like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Phil 1:15-17)I remember the first time I drove home from college. Near the middle of the long, multi-state road trip, I stopped at a rest stop, and when I was done, I got back on the freeway ... going the wrong direction! It was at least half an hour before I realized my mistake! What a blunder!But, oh, my friends, a much worse tragedy than driving the wrong direction in your car is going the wrong direction in your life. And the scary thing is -- we are all vulnerable of making that mistake. Today, let's use the next few minutes to take a good look at God's Positioning System, so that we can make double sure that our hearts haven't taken a wrong turn.~~~~I'd love to hear from you! KevinMote@live.com.Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. (Phil 2:19-22) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you enjoy treasure hunts as a child? I certainly did. Which, perhaps, explains why I consider Bible study to be so captivating: it is an unending exploration of a spectacular treasure mine filled with the most breath-taking gems ever discovered. Join me in this introductory episode, as I explain why I am embarking on this journey, and why I'm so excited to to share it with you.Special Note: The music, "Most Holy Place," was graciously crafted by Doug Beiden. Listen to more of Doug's beautiful work at https://www.beidenmusic.com/music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, our study of Philippians begins a detour into an entirely different book of the Bible as we examine the "who, what, why, and where" contextual background that will set the stage for Paul's ministry in Philippi.Main Passage: Acts 16:1-10The music for this podcast, "Most Holy Place," was graciously crafted by Doug Beiden. Listen to more of Doug's beautiful work at https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.I would love to hear your thoughts and questions. Contact me at KevinMote@live.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Paul and his companions as they bring the Gospel to Europe for the very first time and light a spark that will set western civilization on fire for over 2000 years. It all starts in a city called Philippi -- a city that has a fascinating history of its own: from massive gold mines to epic Roman battles, it's a city with a large and diverse population . . . including one spiritually thirsty lady who is about to become fhe first Christian convert on the European continent.Main Passage: Acts 16:11-15The music for this podcast, "Most Holy Place," was graciously crafted by Doug Beiden. Listen to more of Doug's beautiful work at https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.Thoughts or questions about the podcast? Contact me at KevinMote@live.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's journey with Paul and the boys, we'll take a look at how ancient Greek mythology and demonic attacks threatened to disrupt the fledgling mission in Philippi. And along the way we'll be reminded of the devious schemes that the enemy still to this day uses to try to divert us from the Kingdom path.Main Passage: Acts 16:16-8The music for this podcast, "Most Holy Place," was graciously crafted by Doug Beiden. Listen to more of Doug's beautiful work at https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.Thoughts or questions about the podcast? Contact me at KevinMote@live.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's Western society, it's easy to take the existence of Christianity for granted. It's so woven into our culture that it's hard to imagine a world without it. But we forget that it came at great cost to those who planted its first seeds. In today's episode, we're going to take a look at some of the earliest opposition to the gospel, and I hope you will be inspired and sobered by the powerful testimony of two men who were willing to risk their lives to establish a church on a new continent.Main Passage: Acts 16:19-24The music for this podcast, "Most Holy Place," was graciously crafted by Doug Beiden. Listen to more of Doug's beautiful work at https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.I would love to hear your thoughts and questions. Contact me at KevinMote@live.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When your situation is dark and cold and painful and hopeless, where does your heart go? If you're like me, situations like that can tend to push us toward captivity. But there's another path available. Today, I'm reminded that my circumstances cannot dictate my mood, unless I allow them to. And the great privilege of every Christian is that we can defeat the powers of Darkness itself by bringing Light into blackened prisons and Joy into hopeless dungeons. And the great weapon that we have in this battle is Worship.Main Passage: Acts 16:25-26(cf. 2 Chron 20)~~~~The music for this podcast, "Most Holy Place," was graciously crafted by Doug Beiden. Listen to more of Doug's beautiful work at https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.I would love to hear your thoughts and questions. Contact me at KevinMote@live.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So often in our world, the aftermath of an earthquake can seem like nothing but a scene of destruction. But sometimes, our almighty God uses traumatic events to turn our lives upside down (or right side up). In today's episode, we get a front row seat to witness a hardened Roman warrior whose life and beliefs got thoroughly upended in a dramatic, middle-of-the-night encounter with the Gospel.Main passage: Acts 16:26-31~~~The music for this podcast, "Most Holy Place," was graciously crafted by Doug Beiden. Listen to more of Doug's beautiful work at https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.If this podcast has blessed you, I would love to hear from you!. Contact me at KevinMote@live.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's nothing like the joy you see on the face of someone whose life has just been turned right side out. When God transforms a man, every aspect of his life gets painted with new colors. But sometimes, in this weary world, the paint on our own transformation can begin to fade and crack. If you find the colors on your soul growing dim today, perhaps what you need is to spend a few minutes leafing through the photo album of another man's first moments with Christ. In today's episode, we will do just that.Main passage: Acts 16:32-34~~~~The music for this podcast, "Most Holy Place," was graciously crafted by Doug Beiden. Listen to more of Doug's beautiful work at https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.If this podcast has blessed you, I would love to hear from you!. Contact me at KevinMote@live.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Study a man under pressure or privilege and you will see what he is made of. The true character of a man is revealed both by troubles or triumph. The Apostle Paul claimed, later in his life, that he had "learned the secret of being content... whether living in plenty or in want" (Phil 4:12). In today's episode, we will have the opportunity to see what to make of that claim. Today we're going to watch Paul during his last hours in the city of Philippi, and as we do, we're going to get an unvarnished picture of what's really going on his mind and heart. And what you find there might actually surprise you.Main Passage: Acts 16:35-40~~~~The music for this podcast, "Most Holy Place," was graciously crafted by Doug Beiden. Listen to more of Doug's beautiful work at https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.If this podcast has blessed you, I would love to hear from you!. Contact me at KevinMote@live.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you haven't heard of the Project:Philippians podcast yet, let me give you just a little taste of what it's all about.And if you're already a regular listener, tune in for the next real episode when it drops at the normal time on Sunday afternoon. Until then, consider sharing this "trailer" with someone you know that might be interested in the type of "deep-dive Scriptural analysis" that Project:Philippians is intended to be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we launch into what may be the deepest study of a book of the Bible that some of you have ever attempted. Over the next 100+ episodes, we will be scrutinizing every sentence in this Epistle, every verse... quite nearly every word. It is my earnest prayer that the Spirit of God will draw us deeper into His Word and into the heart of God than we have ever gone before. I am confident that it is going to be a glorious expedition, and I am honored to have you join with me in it. But I need to warn you at the outset: this journey can only start byn first gaining a clear understanding of who the Master is on this road, and who is the slave. That's what we'll be talking about today.Main Passage: Phil 1:1aContact me at: KevinMote@live.com.Podcast music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. Hear more of Doug's beautiful work at https://www.beidenmusic.com/music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Phil 1:1b) Most of the time, when you hear someone described as a "saint", you imagine the person to be some sort of "super spiritual", upper-tier Christian. It's a term we usually reserve for the "highly holy" folks, certainly not every day Christians like you and me. But it that's so, what could Paul possibly mean when he describes all the Phillipians (and by extension all of us) as "saints"? Today we'll dig into that word and find out the extraordinary reality of what it means to be a "Holy One".Contact me! I'd love to hear from you! KevinMote@live.com.Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Phil 1:1c) Have you ever noticed how many different types of leadership postions we have in churches today? Pastors, bishops, elders, deacons, presbyters, priests, and on and on. Have you ever wondered how we ever got so many different roles? Which ones are "right"? Which ones are "Biblical"? And why do we need them in the first place? In this episode, we will take a look at how Philippians gives us a historical snapshot of some of the earliest leadership structures in the fledgling church, how those roles emerged, and what a critical role they played in early Christianity.Contact info: KevinMote@live.com.Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Phil 1:2a) "Hi, how ya doing?" "Fine. How 'bout you?" "Good, thanks."The obligatory greeting ritual. When you really think about it, it has to be one of the most shallow and meaningless parts of any conversation. But, of course, everyone uses it (out of habit, if nothing else). Everyone, that is, except for the Apostle Paul. In today's episode, we will take a look at how Paul takes the standard conventional greeting of his day and transforms it into a powerful and beautiful declaration of the smile of God. And when we read it again two thousand years later -- when we let it wash over us and really sink in -- it can't help but bring a smile to our own face as well.~~~~I'd love to hear from you! KevinMote@live.com.Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Phil 1:2b) Sometimes the smallest words can conceal the most explosive, life-changing power. We're going to look at a word like that today -- a tiny little three-letter word that literally changes everything. The more I think of it, the more it explodes my heart with joy. And I pray that it will do the same for you -- that it will open you up to a relationship that you have always longed for, and perhaps never before thought possible. ~~~~I'd love to hear from you! KevinMote@live.com.Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.