Philippians 2:12-16 (New Living Translation)
Shine Brightly for Christ
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Work hard - to show the results of your salvation. This is a DAY by DAY process. Look, Monday you may have had a great day - just left church on Sunday - around great people - Pastors, Leaders, Christians ( well most of them probably ), so you are ready to start the week! As the old timers used to say... HIGH ON JESUS! But then....LIFE starts again --- flat tire on Tuesday, kids in trouble at school, somebody takes your parking spot at the store, rain storm and you forgot your umbrella, or whatever "things" get you aggravated or agitated happen!
Understand, bad days, trouble, aggravation, attitudes, and more are not punishment for sins - but part of the process of growth. Every church service, prayer meeting, fellowship time, outreach event, etc is a time where growth is happening. It may not seem like it at the moment --- but STRENGTH COMES FROM SERVING. Any of us can sit on a pew or a chair and have a nice dress, new hat, suit tailored, and know when to say Amen and clap - but the WORK of salvation is in the DAY by DAY living that takes place in the community, at work, school, the grocery store, the park, and in your home. There is a whole lot of living that takes place from SUNDAY TO SUNDAY. Thats why Paul was telling the church in Phillipians -- I cant be with you always - so now more than every its important to WORK - LIVE OUT your relationship with Christ ---daily!
Luke 9:23 (New Living Translation)
23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
In other words - take ALL of you - your best, your worst, your burdens, your attitudes, your dilemas, your cussing the guy who took your parking spot, your family fueds, and EVERYTHING - take it with you - and as you do DAY BY DAY you will be working your salvation out and you will start to see many of those things that seemingly weighed you down begin to disappear......
WHATEVER IT TAKES!
