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January 13, 2010
Philippians 2:12-13

 

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)



Have you ever known someone that put on a good show when the “boss” was watching? 

Well, Paul didn’t want the Philippians to fall into that trap of just trying to look good. He wanted them to really experience what God had planned for them. He encouraged them to stick to what they knew to be the truth. He wanted them to live out what they knew.

Sometimes, it is easy to feel like we need to know more to really be effective for God, but honestly, what He wants from us is simple obedience to what we already know to do. If we JUST did that, we would see a huge difference in our lives. I believe that God’s blessing would be so evident on us.

Paul told them to obey God with reverence and fear. In straightforward terms, really that means with a heart of worship. Everything we do, if done for God’s honor, is an act of worship. Worship isn’t just singing songs or doing something at church. It’s a part of the everyday life of a follower of Jesus.

I find verse thirteen to be an amazing verse. God is the one who gives us the desire to do what’s right, and then he’s the one who actually gives us the power to accomplish it. Notice that it’s not done in our own power. We can’t simply muster up enough courage to do what’s right. No, it’s initiated and finished by God. In fact, in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is called the “author and finisher of our faith”. What a cool title! I guess the concept I really take away from this astounding verse is that if I will simply obey what God has told me to do, He takes care of the rest. He gives me the desire to obey further and the power to do it. It’s like catching an updraft. We simply spiral higher and higher fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives. For me, if I can know that I’m accomplishing God’s plan for me, then everything else is secondary.
 

A Thankful Thought

Creation is something I've always been thankful for, it just amazes me. From the kansas sunsets to the mountains in Colorado to the fall colors and starry skies, everything screams the greatness of God. I mean, God designed all of this so that we'd know that there's a God. That's why I love the verse Romans 1:20 which says, "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God."

A NewSpring Staff Member


Your Comments

1

Jennifer Janssen | January 13, 2010 at 10.12 am

That just goes to show how fresh and alive the Word of God really is.  I have read Phillipians so many times and have never caught that God gives me the desires and power to do what is right until today.  That is so refreshing.  I know that it still starts with my obedience, but since I can’t really do it on my own it’s wonderful to know that God will do it through me.  I’ve been working so hard lately and for the first time in quite a while, I feel at rest.  Thank you for sharing that message!

2

veronica brubaker | January 14, 2010 at 10.37 am

I needed this prayer today. Going through some difficult times right now. Verse 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him is what I needed to hear. I feel this is God way of saying to me to go forward with my decission. Thanks


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