A Life Worthy

…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

Hear that, Beloved.  God, the creator of the universe, is at work in you.  

Yep, you

He’s the Contractor, and he’s building a temple for his Holy Spirit.  He calls that temple You. Of course he’s not finished—he won’t be until the day you stand before him.  So don’t stress because you’re not “there” yet. You don’t even know where “there” is. Just let God keep doing what he’s doing.

Reasons why God is more trustworthy than your average contractor:

1. God knows everything.  Your contractor may know more than you, but that’s not saying much.
2. God is totally in control of your situation.  Your contractor is limited by your budget, local building codes, and those pesky laws of physics.
3. God loves you completely, and wants only that which will be the best for you.  Your contractor—well, I hate to break it to you, but he’s in it for the money.

So you’ve got a few rough edges—OK, so you’re a mess.  It won’t be forever.

As a matter of fact, your forever is going to be amazing.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

I thank my God every time I remember you (Philippians 1:3).

In college I had a prayer wall, where I had pictures of friends and family posted.  There was no rhyme or reason to the arrangement—just dozens of snapshots stapled to the wall of a dorm room.  Every time I looked at those pictures, I remembered people who were important in my life. Some I saw every day; some were thousands of miles from me. Just seeing those photos prompted me to pray for them.

This is what Paul is talking about.  These are people he cares for, people who are important to him.  He wants them to know that he is thinking about them, covering them in prayer even when he can’t be with them. He may not  have snapshots, or staples for that matter, but the principle’s the same.

Who’s on your prayer wall, Beloved?  Whose face popped into your mind when you read this Scripture?  Spend some time in prayer for them today. Start your weekend by bringing someone you love before the throne of God.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons…(Philippians 1:1).

I’m feeling a little Philippianial.

Shall we?

Much of Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi is going to be concerned with two vital questions:

Who are we?

Whose are we?

Paul hits the ground running. He identifies himself as a servant of Christ–not an apostle, but a servant. He takes the humble route–a road he will encourage us to travel in a little bit–thereby undermining any thoughts the Philippians may have had about boasting or bragging. I mean if he, The Paul, is merely a servant, his readers can’t exactly think more highly of themselves, now can they?

But…

Then he turns to his audience and addresses them as saints. Though he has just pointed out that he is but a servant, he calls them Holy Ones, whom the Lord of the Universe has chosen as his own. There can be no higher position in creation. It’s like, before he even begins his discourse, Paul is sending us a message:

You are so much less than you think.

And so much more.

Chew on that today, Beloved.

Happy Wednesday