January 10
"We keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds."-Paul in 2 Thessalonians 1:11
Many of us find ourselves making good New Year's resolutions with the best of intentions at this time of year! Yet most also find the best of good intentions and resolutions can quickly fall by the wayside. A tempting piece of chocolate cake can be too much for some of those vowing to lose weight. A phone call from a dear friend can quickly weaken our resolve not to spend so much time on the phone. So what are we to do? Give up in despair on becoming a better person? Feel continually guilty and ashamed at our human weakness? Not at all if we understand this beautiful scripture above and realize our highest "calling" is from God who can give us both direction and strength daily. All Christians are called to become like Christ. (Rom.8:29)
This is a gradual, lifelong process only completed when we see Christ face to face. (1Jn.3:2) To be "worthy" of this calling means wanting to do what's right as Christ would. We aren't perfect yet, but can rest assured we are moving in the right direction if we daily draw closer to God in prayer and ask Christ to continue working in us! "Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ." (Philp.1:6) Be patient as God works on your rough spots. Or as that great song by Joel Hemphill says:
"He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me
There really ought to be a sign upon my heart
Don't judge me yet, there's an unfinished part
But I'll be better just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hands"
Prayer: Lord, Make me what you want me to be! Amen.
Meditation For The Day: Today's coal is tomorrow's diamond.
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)
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