Passage of the Day:
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons[a]: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 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. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus, Philippians 1:1-8.
Reflection:
Based upon the words above, the Church at Philippi brought fond and specials memories to Paul. As the spiritual father who led members of this congregation into a personal relationship with Jesus, these individuals have become part of Paul’s daily prayers lifted up to the Lord. Over the years, I heard a couple of pastors refer to Philippians as Paul’s love letter to a church that held a special place in his heart. Yet, as Christian’s past and present enter into the partnership of fulfilling the Great Commission, Acts 1:8, all must hope that God still has a plan for your life.
Prayerful Action:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will, Romans 12:1-2.
Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:
This future plan doesn’t require magic or scientology to become a reality. Rather, in a letter to the Church at Rome, Paul points out the biblical dedication and heavenly mindset to ascertain God’s calling and will for your life. When you offer your body up to the Lord as a living sacrifice, where Christians surrender all aspects of their lives to Jesus, this is the starting point. As Christians learn to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, lean on the Bible like Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11. Like the words of Joshua 1:8, reading, meditating upon and studying the Bible starts the renewing of your mind. Depending upon your degree of commitment, God’s future plans for your life will be revealed in HIs time, Ecclesiastes 3:11.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
May today’s song serve as a daily prayer to renew the hope within your soul that God still has plans for your life. Let the Words of God speak to your heart this fall.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 