He Finishes His Projects - Finding Joy in Philippians – October 3 Readings: Philippians 1:6-11

 

Finding Joy in Philippians  

Background: For the next three weeks, we will be studying the Book of Philippians, another of Paul's letters from his Roman prison. In Philippi, men were using Paul's imprisonment as proof he was not genuine and seeking to undermine his authority. Many in the church were shaken at the fact that the Apostle was imprisoned. He wrote the letter to explain his imprisonment and to encourage his readers to walk in joy despite all the evil in the world. 

Philippians is not nearly as easily outlined at Ephesians was - it is much more personal and exhortational compared to the theological intent of Ephesians. Philippians was the church that was founded when Paul received the vision of the Macedonian man saying, "Come and help us."  

As often as time allows, the reader is encouraged to read the entire book - it will not take more than a few minutes. Each day we will work our way through the book passage by passage. 

Today's Reading:  Philippians 1-4  Focus Passage - Philippians  1:6-11     

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Through the Bible Readings: Jeremiah 9-10, Galatians 4, Psalm 110, Proverbs 24:10-12 

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: He Finishes His Projects    

I have been a Christian now for nearly 6 decades. I knelt in prayer to put my faith in Christ as a child of 6 (I am 63), as my dad read a book called "Little Pilgrim's Progress." I realized that I, like little Christian in the story, needed to take my burden of sin to Calvary and lay it there.

In the decades that have transpired since I knelt by my bed in Cedar Rapids to trust Christ, I have failed my Savior more times than I want to think about. In some ways, I look back on my years of squandered opportunities, misplaced priorities, shirked responsibilities and so many heart issues I cannot count them as a giant failure. I avoided a lot of the big physical sins, but my heart has been so full of myself, and sin, and this world - way more than it should have been.

Many are the times I have wondered why God even bothers with me. Why does he keep working with me, giving me chances, renewing me? If someone let me down a tenth of the times I've let him down, a hundredth, I'd give up on them and walk away. God has never done that. Though I've failed him, his love and faithfulness endure. 

And in this world, there are always those who are quick to point out our flaws and to withhold grace - even within the church. Though there is no condemnation in Christ, there is plenty of it in ourselves and from others. 

That is why I love Philippians 1:6. Certainly, we can never use God's faithfulness as an excuse for sin and careless living. But with all the problems I have run into in my life, with all my faults and failings as a Christian, I have the confidence that this verse is a word from God about my life.

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

God knew I would mess up so he didn't leave it up to me. As my salvation was a work of Christ so is the culmination of the process. He started it all and he will finish the work.

My goal now is to cooperate with the work of Christ instead of fighting against it. I want to be a willing subject, clay in the Potter's hand, to be molded after the pattern of his will. Since my destiny is settled by God's grace, I may as well give in to the Lordship of Christ and yield fully to the power of God every day!

Father, thank you for your son who not only began his work of glory in me but has promised to culminate that work. I am thankful that my salvation depends on you and not me.

Think and Pray:

Are you relying on the grace of God daily for your strength?