Day 25

“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.” Phil. 1:4-6

It’s like Paul is saying this to the Philippians: “I was with you when the church started, and I saw the good work God began in your lives.  Because of that good work, we have grown to become partners in God’s mission. And what God started, He will finish.”  A good partnership is a great thing.

Over this past summer, I had the opportunity to chaperone a group of six youth to a conference in Chicago.  I had no idea of what to expect, but my co-leader was a great encouragement for me. While I was initially hesitant to spend an entire week at a youth conference, God used our partnership to change the lives of our group, as well as many lives in Chicago.  I know that it was God’s direction to put us together on this trip, because I had no idea of how it would turn out!  Funny how God works that way….

God started a Good Work in all our lives this summer.  I thank God for people who have the gift of encouragement and who are willing to lead others into situations where they must lean completely on God for direction.  Jesus sent his followers into the world in pairs because he knew that they could need encouragement from each other in an otherwise hostile world.  We can have confidence that if we trust God to Grow the Good in our lives, that He will carry it to completion, giving us joy and thanksgiving along the way!

Father God,

Thank You for calling us to do Your good works.  You don’t need our help, but You simply WANT our obedience as we grow to trust You more.  Thank You for good partners who encourage us when we are scared.  Let us remember that it is YOU (and not us) who accomplishes the good works.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

-Gary Mills