Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Philippians 1:3-6 – He Who Began A Good Work – Growing As Disciples
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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 1:3-6 (NIV)
Impatient
You are impatient. How am I impatient? That is good that you asked me that question. Why is that? You are impatient in numerous ways. But, I have one of your impatient attitudes in mind right now. I’m listening. I’m glad you didn’t say that you are waiting patiently. So, I’m not even waiting patiently for you to tell me how I am impatient? You tell me. No, I am not. That’s honest. What do you have in mind? How am I impatient?
You want to be completely changed right now. You want me to hurry up and finish my work. You want me to bring to completion the good that I began in you, right now. You can’t wait. Things are not moving fast enough for you. You are not making progress quick enough. Does this sound familiar to you? Yes, it does. Is it all bad that I am impatient? Is it a terrible thing that I want to be making more progress as your follower? What is the harm in wanting to shine brighter for you in this world? Isn’t a good thing for me to want to know your will more clearly and to accomplish it more fully? Yes, I am impatient. Yes, I am dissatisfied. If I am burning as a little flame, then I want to burn as a blaze of fire for you. I don’t want to be luke warm. I want to burn white hot. I don’t want to love you a little bit. I don’t want to serve you a little bit. I don’t want to know you a little bit. I don’t want to accomplish little things for you. I want more. I want all of the life that you have called me to live. Is there anything wrong with what I want? You have desires and passions that comes from me.
However, there are dangers in your impatience. How so? Are you grateful? Are you thankful? Are you prayerful? Do you believe that I began a good work in you? Do you trust that I will continue my good work in you? Do you trust my timing? Will you rely on me? Can you recognize that I am continuing to do my good work in you? I see. Yes, I am grateful and thankful. I will be more prayerful. I do believe in you. I do trust your timing. I will rely on you. I will take time to recognize and give thanks for your activity and work in and through my life. That will be very good.
There is one more danger in your impatience. What’s that? You are too focused on yourself. Not everything revolves around you. I want you to take your eyes off of yourself. You mentioned being more prayerful. Yes, I did. Be more prayerful for others. Pray that others will allow my good work to continue in them, just as you want it to continue in you. Will you do that? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.
Lord, thank you for beginning a good work in me. You are changing the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and deeds of my life. Continue and bring to completion your good work in me. This is the prayer that I am also praying for my partners in the gospel. Amen
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Prayer – Philippians 1-3-6 – He Who Began A Good Work – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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