Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 45 – Philippians 1:3-6 – Carry It On To Completion – 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)
Good Work
Do you believe that I am doing a good work in you? Are you sure that I am molding and shaping you? Are you positive that I have been and will continue to do my good work in you? Can you rest with confidence in knowing that my work in you will continue right up until the day you come to meet me face to face? I suspect that I know why you are asking me these questions. Why is that? Sometimes, I get discouraged. Sometimes, I want to see more progress and the results of your work in me. Sometimes, I have even become depressed that I am not further along in my life of faith with you. You are even understating the depth of these negative thoughts, aren’t you? Yes, I am. Do you know where these discouraging and depressing thoughts come from? Not from you, of that, I am sure. That’s right. You do know where they come from don’t you? Yes, these discouraging and depressing thoughts do not encourage me, they do not spur me on in my walk of faith with you. Yes, these discouraging and depressing thoughts are not the truth, they are an attack on my faith. These thoughts are designed to try to undue or unravel your good work in me. They are an attack of the devil and all his evil. Yes, they are, you can be sure of that. These discouraging and depressing thoughts will not keep you moving forward with me. I don’t want that. That’s good.
What will help to recognize the good work I have and am continuing to do in you? I need to look back and remember the good work you have done in my life. I can see where I was, where I have been, where you have led me, what you have done in me and where I am today. Yes, that’s right. Stop and look at what I have done in your life. Remember all that I have done in your life up until this very moment. With such a glance backward are you encouraged or discouraged? I am greatly encouraged. Why is that? I can see that your hand has been on me. You have been molding and shaping me. You have been guarding and guiding me. Your favor has rested on me. You have been using me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Yes, at any time in the past, have I ever stopped doing my good work in you? No, you have never stopped working in me. What does that tell you about right now and into the future? You are and will keep on doing your good work in me. Yes, I will. Thank you, Lord. Keep on allowing me to mold and shape your life. Keep on believing that I am working in you. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.
Lord, I know I have been impatient. I have wanted to see more progress and results of your daily working in me. Only by looking back over time can I recognize your good work in me. Keep on doing your good work in me. Mold and shape me according to your plan. Amen
Key Question… How has God been powerfully using His word, as a tool, to do His good work in you?
Living It Out… Allow God to continue to do His good work in you.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will bring to completion the good work that He has begun in you.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God began and is continuing His good work in you.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to do His work in you.
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