The Weekly Brief contains new announcements from Bible Gateway, along with links to Bible-related articles and products.

Discover the Secret of Gospel Mission in Philippians 1:12-26

In this third posting, we are continuing the blog series with content from biblical scholar Scot McKnight.

Pressure applied to a person, whether physical or emotional or financial, often reveals character. Persecution, whether physical or social and status-shaming, puts a per- son in the dock to declare (or not) her allegiance to Jesus as the world’s true Lord and King. Instead of blaming others, instead of running to safety, and instead of going silent, the faithful believer confesses before her persecutors and says, “Jesus is the Lord. He is my Lord. And I will follow him.” Paul knew pressure. In fact, it is more than possible he had been in prison for four years. But, instead of pouting and moaning, he responded with bold confessions of the Lord Jesus.

What Ascension Day Means for You 

Forty days after Jesus rose from the grave, another miracle marked the completion of Jesus’ earthly ministry: the Ascension. This episode doesn’t get as much attention as Jesus’ birth, crucifixion, or resurrection. Christmas and Easter are major cultural events, even outside of Christian circles. But for many Christians, Ascension Day passes by with hardly a murmur of recognition or excitement. Why is that?

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How to Do a Topical Study of Scripture

When my children were young my wife and I tried to go as a family to a different national park every summer. Since my wife and I had not traveled when we were growing up, these trips were first-time discoveries for four eager sets of eyes and ears and noses—those of the two children in the car, and the oldest “children,” my wife and I.

Here are two ways of exploring the treasures of a national park: you can drive through and discover whatever wonderful things come along the way, taking a hike here and there, lingering wherever you want. Or you can go looking for something specific. For us, sometimes we went looking for waterfalls, or mountain peaks, or (for my wife) birds and wildflowers.

Important Resources

• Watch the Our Daily Bread University video (click the image in the RESOURCES tab): The Old Testament Story
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• Read FREE Bible Commentaries, Dictionaries, and Encyclopedia on Bible Gateway.
• Visit the Bible Gateway Pastor Resources Page.
• Descriptions of all Bible reference resources available to you with a Bible Gateway Plus membership.
• See the list of ways Bible Gateway helps you study the Bible.

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