The Promise of Spiritual Growth
“I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
Do you ever feel like your spiritual life is not making progress? It can happen when we get discouraged, exhausted, and overwhelmed. You’re not alone if you’ve felt that way before or you feel that way now. When I feel that way, I’m reminded of the promise in this verse, and it gives me hope and confidence that God is not finished. He hasn’t given up on me, and He hasn’t given up on you! When Paul wrote to the Philippian believers, he gave them the promise of spiritual growth in Philippians 1:16 (NLT), “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
If spiritual growth were solely up to us, we would be in trouble. The Bible tells us that the very God who began His good work within us is the same God who will continue that work until it is finished on the day when Jesus Christ returns! That takes the pressure off. There’s joy in knowing that spiritual growth is His business. He does the work in us that He may do a work through us. It’s a process that will continue until it is finished on the day Christ Jesus returns. That reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw one time that said, “Please be patient with me; God is not through with me yet!” We are all under construction as God shapes us into the very image of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And God promises to finish the work He began.
When you feel incomplete, undone, or distressed by your hurts, habits, and hang-ups, remember God’s promise in Philippians 1:6 to continue the GOOD work He began in you when you trusted Jesus as your Savior. Even when I feel like I am not making any progress, God is still at work. Let God complete what He began and rejoice that it is His business.
“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for He who calls you is faithful.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NLT)
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.