Verse of the Day - Philippians 1:6

God began a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again. ~ Philippians 1:6 (NCV)

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I am really comforted by this verse, because it reminds me that it is God who is doing the good work in my life...He is the one that has made all things new in me through the power of Jesus Christ, and is moulding me to be like His Son. He is at work.

When we work under our own power, trying to live up to Christian standards as outlined in the Bible all by ourselves, we fail. Usually quite miserably. God never meant us to get to China in a row boat. He is the motor, He is the power. When we can get a grasp of that fact, we are free to rest in His working in us. Our job is to trust Him and be willing to be changed.

In the high school football movie, "Friday Night Lights", one father set such high expectations of his son and then belittled and abused him when he didn't meet them. It's tragic to watch. Why can't you hold on to the football?!, Why can't you hold on to the football?!, the father screams as he ducktapes the football to his son's hands. Required perfection and no help to get there.

But our God isn't like that. He is a good Father, full of unending love and compassion, and His mercies are new every morning...

For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust. ~ Psalm 103:14

He gives us help by His Spirit...

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. ~John 16:13 (NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. ~ Romans 12:2 (NLT)

There are some things we can and should do to further our spiritual growth...be in the Word, communicate regularly with God in prayer, be part of a church body that builds each other up in the faith. These are God-instituted habits that forge spiritual steel within us, giving us the strength we need to go out and be the people of God we're called to be and do the work of the Kingdom that He's called us to do.

You are not alone in your striving for godly living and spiritual depth. Jesus is there as your strength.

I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. ~ Jesus, in Matthew 28:20 (CEV)

Love,
Joelene