Month: December 2022

God Will Complete the Good Work He Began

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

I’m always encouraged by this verse when I think about the plans God has for my life.  God’s Word is clear that when we receive His gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, we begin a life-long journey of a personal relationship with Him.  His Holy Spirit comes to live in us.  As we grow in our knowledge of Him and surrender our lives to Him, He is doing a work of transforming us to be more like Jesus.  He began that good work in us and He will continue it until He takes us to heaven.  God’s Word is clear that God has a plan for each of our lives:

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

            In this Christmas season, we are reminded to focus our attention on the birth of Jesus and the plan God has for Him.  Jesus came to earth, born as a baby. He came to share the good news of God’s plan to save us from our sins.  That plan required Jesus to die on the cross as the perfect sinless Lamb of God to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world.  Only those who receive that gift of salvation by faith will be forgiven and live with Him forever in heaven.

            God’s work was not completed through the birth of Jesus.  It wasn’t completed when He died on the cross and was resurrected three days later.  It wasn’t completed when He ascended back to heaven and asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to live in all who believe in Him.  The part of God’s plan still to be fulfilled is when He will come back to reign forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  This was prophesied in Isaiah 45:23 and quoted in Philippians 2:10-11:  at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

            God is still at work drawing people to Himself for salvation through faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin.  He gives us a choice to receive Jesus as our Savior or to reject His offer of salvation.  For those who receive Him, we have the gift of His Holy Spirit living in us now, and the guarantee of spending eternity with Him. 

            I’m so thankful for the greatest gift that has ever been given – the gift of God’s unconditional love, the forgiveness of all my sins, His promise to be with me, and the promise that I will be with Him forever.  I’m thankful that He is at work in my life drawing me closer to Himself and encouraging others in their walk with Him.  Lord, help us to have hearts that are open to be more aware of Your presence and Your plan for our lives and be more willing to follow wherever You lead.  Thank You that You promise to complete the good work You began in us.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Set aside some time to remember the amazing gift of salvation that God has given us in His Son.  Consider writing your prayer of gratitude.

Do you know the plans He has for your life?  Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

We can be asking God for His plan for our lives and then depend on His Holy Spirit in us to lead us and accomplish His plan.

God Will Complete the Good Work He Began

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

I’m always encouraged by this verse when I think about the plans God has for my life.  God’s Word is clear that when we receive His gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, we begin a life-long journey of a personal relationship with Him.  His Holy Spirit comes to live in us.  As we grow in our knowledge of Him and surrender our lives to Him, He is doing a work of transforming us to be more like Jesus.  He began that good work in us and He will continue it until we He takes us to heaven.  God’s Word is clear that God has a plan for each of our lives:

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

            In this Christmas season, we are reminded to focus our attention on the birth of Jesus and the plan God has for Him.  Jesus came to earth, born as a baby. He came to share the good news of God’s plan to save us from our sins.  That plan required Jesus to die on the cross as the perfect sinless Lamb of God to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world.  Only those who receive that gift of salvation by faith will be forgiven and live with Him forever in heaven.

            God’s work was not completed through the birth of Jesus.  It wasn’t completed when He died on the cross and was resurrected three days later.  It wasn’t completed when He ascended back to heaven and asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to live in all who believe in Him.  The part of God’s plan still to be fulfilled is when He will come back to reign forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  This was prophesied in Isaiah 45:23 and quoted in Philippians 2:10-11:  at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

            God is still at work drawing people to Himself for salvation through faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin.  He gives us a choice to receive Jesus as our Savior or to reject His offer of salvation.  For those who receive Him, we have the gift of His Holy Spirit living in us now, and the guarantee of spending eternity with Him. 

            I’m so thankful for the greatest gift that has ever been given – the gift of God’s unconditional love, the forgiveness of all my sins, His promise to be with me, and the promise that I will be with Him forever.  I’m thankful that He is at work in my life drawing me closer to Himself and encouraging others in their walk with Him.  Lord, help us to have hearts that are open to be more aware of Your presence and Your plan for our lives and be more willing to follow wherever You lead. Thank You that You promise to complete the good work You began in us.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Set aside some time to remember the amazing gift of salvation that God has given us in His Son.  Consider writing your prayer of gratitude.

Do you know the plans He has for your life?  Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

We can be asking God for His plan for our lives and then depend on His Holy Spirit in us to lead us and accomplish His plan.

The Cost of Forgiveness

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16

I’ve mentioned before the Bible Read-Thru program our pastor introduced us to a few months ago.  In each reading, we’re encouraged to ask the questions “How does God reveal Himself?” and “How do I apply this to my own life?”  “How do I need to change?”

It’s been easy to see how God reveals Himself in Genesis as the Creator of all things. We learn how He chooses Abraham to be the father of many nations, His chosen people of Israel.  And we read in Exodus about His miraculous delivery of the Israelites from bondage as slaves in Egypt. The miraculous parting of the Red Sea, the provision of water in the wilderness, manna and quail for food.

Last week it was time to start Leviticus.  I have to admit I was tempted to skip this book.  (I wonder if I’m not the only one who might feel like that!)  I knew from reading it a long time ago that it was all about the instructions for sacrifices and offerings, what to eat and what not to eat, etc. But then I remembered that this book is as much a part of God’s Word as every other book, and it must have been included for a reason.  So, I prayed and asked God to show me what He wants me to see as I read.

In reading just the first 10 chapters so far, I began to see more clearly the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. As the people were instructed to regularly bring animals to be sacrificed as sin offerings, they would be reminded of their sins and the need for forgiveness from their holy God.

I am convicted by my casual attitude toward my own sin.  I like to focus on God’s grace and mercy to forgive when I simply confess my sin and receive His forgiveness.  1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  I’m convicted about how often I take that for granted!

I’m reminded now to stop think what my forgiveness cost God and His Son Jesus. We no longer have to bring animal sacrifices for our sin.  God was willing to sacrifice His own Son as the perfect Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world!  My sins!  Jesus was willing to offer Himself as that sacrifice.  Jesus said to His disciples as He was being arrested in the Garden, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26: 53).  Jesus willingly surrendered to the plan to be crucified – to shed His blood and die on the cross as the only sacrifice that could pay for the sins of the world.

So, as I continue reading Leviticus, I want to remember the ultimate cost that was paid for my forgiveness.  I want to be more deeply filled with gratitude that Jesus was willing to pay that price.  I see His love that made him willing to go to the cross so that all who believe in Him and receive Him as their Savior can live in a personal relationship with Him now, and throughout all eternity.

What does He ask of His followers now?  He wants us to live in loving obedience to Him and follow the plan He has for our life.  His Word is filled with His will for our lives and how He wants us to respond to Him with love and worship, with our whole heart, mind and soul (Matthew 22:37-39).

We see this in Romans 12:1-2:

Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Did you need the reminder (like I did) about what it cost God the Father and Jesus His Son to forgive your sins?

How will you respond to this truth?

You may want to write a prayer expressing your gratitude.

If you have never received Jesus as your Savior, you can ask Him right now.

All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  Ask the Lord for a friend who believes in Him who can help you in this decision.

Count Your Blessings

Let all that I am praise the Lord;

may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Psalm 103:2 (NLT)

One of the women in my Bible study sent this to me, and I want to share it with all of you today. We have recently celebrated Thanksgiving and are entering the Christmas season.  This is an excellent reminder to all of us to be thankful for all that God has done for us. 

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What are some areas in your life where you are focusing on difficulties that would keep you from receiving God’s blessing?

Consider making a list of blessings from each of the lines above.

As you remember what He has done for you, write a prayer of thanks to God.