Thank You God for working in me.

Today’s Scripture: Philippians 2:13, NKJV- “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

Do you have it in you to do what is right? Have you failed over and over?

In Celebrate Recovery, this verse is the basis of Step 2 in the 12-step process. “We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” Are you there yet? Do you believe that there is a God who is at work in you, so you desire what pleases Him? Do you believe He is giving you the power to do His will?

Philippians 2:12 states that we each must work out our salvation. I have come to believe that our failures, our very personal and real failures, are working out our salvations and our ministries. God changes us and our desires. Our changes testify that change is possible. Our struggles are real just as Paul stated in Philippians 1:29-30 that we will suffer and struggle for Christ.

In our suffering and struggles God is at work in each of us. In these struggles God is changing us to do His good pleasures. Our struggles are not new, even in Paul’s day Philippians 2:15 acknowledges we live in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. God is working to make our lights shine in this world.

The light we find in God is our light we can offer to all others. I have come to believe that we ALL need God to restore us to sanity. The people of scripture beginning with the original Adam have sinned when seeking their own way. Do we expect to be different, this time?

Paul tells us to pour out our lives as a sacrifice to God in Philippians 2:17. As we pour out our lives for Him, it is God who fills us back up with His desires, His will, and His purpose. Breathe out me and breathe in Christ. Fill me, Lord Jesus. Restore me and give me Your desires and Your power! When we pour out our lives, we share God’s joy. Our light is in sharing the joy we have found in God restoring us in our sufferings and struggles.

It can be hard to grasp that God is in us and working in us, especially in the middle of our struggles. Whether we grasp it or not, His good pleasures are right around the corner. Will you pour out yourself to God so He will fill You with Himself?

Today’s Prayer: Father God, I am pouring out myself so I can receive more of You. Fill me LORD with Your desires and pleasures. Help me LORD to shine Your light out of the darkness of my sufferings and struggles. I always pray with thanksgiving and joy for Your great power. Whether I grasp it or not, I trust You are at work and helping me work out my salvation for Your glory and the good for all others in a crooked and perverse world. Help us to be Your light in this world so others too may know Your pleasures and joy. Amen.