PHILIPPIANS 2:13

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 

TO PONDER 

Trigger warning; This post is about works, God inspired good works, Ephesians 2:10 works!  

In 1988 ‘Nike’ launched a very successful add campaign ‘Just do it’ targeting everyday people regardless of age, gender or physical fitness level to inspire them to get up and try, to attempt the impossible, to do better than you thought you could do, and, yes, to buy Nike shoes. 

The slogan went viral (before viral was a major thing) and Nike’s market share went from 18% to 43% within 10 years. 

Paul wrote to the Philippian church to thank them for their support and to encourage them to stay strong in the faith even in hard times. Today’s verse is from Paul’s encouraging ‘Just Do It!’ section of the letter. 

The Amplified Bible says it this way; “For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.” 

Let me paraphrase it into church planting language; ‘It’s hard to start a church from nothing, its tiring to have to talk to total strangers and share the Gospel at every opportunity, you really don’t have the talent, ability or the stamina to do it but God does have all that and more, so Just Do It, keep doing the work and let God move! 

Grace isn’t anti works, grace is anti earning!  Just Do It! 

PRAYER 

Almighty God, I thank you for having our backs, I thank you that what you order you pay for, I give you honour and glory that when I can’t do it you can and do. You are the God of the impossible and I am humbled that you choose us and our weaknesses to partner with to accomplish the impossible.  Amen. 

Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside