Start Your Year, Start Your Day



January 27, 2010
Philippians 4:9

9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:9 (NLT)


Take one look at a Nike Swoosh logo and the 20 year old campaign slogan will instantly cross your mind--"Just Do It." It's success is universal, yet the concept was not new with Nike. The apostle Paul penned the concept long before. He generally sums up his entire letter to the Philippian Christians with the instructions given in verse 9. This verse is a call to action. Paul is cheering them on, encouraging, calling out, "Do it! Live it out! Make it real!"

Two thoughts come to mind in this verse. First, Paul had lived such an exemplary life that he was able to say (not proudly, but in good conscience), "Follow my example. Live the way you have seen me live. The things I have said and done are worth doing." This is huge. Can I say the same thing about my life? Can my children, family, friends, coworkers, and people in my sphere of influence copy not only my words but also my actions and find themselves living a life that makes God smile? Something to think about.

The second thing that comes to mind is the word "practice." Paul did not say "study," although studying God's words to us is a fantastic way to know how God wants us to live. Paul said to take what you have learned and act on it. Do it. I think of how often we procrastinate doing what we know God wants us to do and hide under the guise that we need to learn more before we begin. Paul encouraged the Philippians to act on the knowledge they had learned. He told them to act and think like he had instructed them and shown them with his life. He even went so far as to say that when they did put into practice what he had told them, that God's peace would be with them!

What have you been putting off doing with the excuse that you are not ready yet? Start with where you are, what you currently know, and allow God's peace to fill your life as you take the next step in growth! 
 

 

A Thankful Thought


I am truly thankful for God's provision. He anticipates our needs even before we know that we have needs. When my husband and I were first married, we were planning to live near Wichita but didn't have a place to live and neither of us had a job at the time. God provided a cute but tiny little house that we could rent. Then we needed furniture. God provided again--a family donated just the right amount to fit our needs and our house. He brought us to NewSpring Church through a car deal! He provided unbelievably good health to a family of seven during a time when we had no health insurance. When I look back over all the care and provision of my heavenly Father, I am honored to be part of His family.

A NewSpring Staff Member
 



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