“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:3-6
Being among God’s people, like I was last night at Bible study (and every time we gather), always prompts me to reflect on the way Paul speaks of the Philippians. This Scripture fuels my gratitude this morning, especially for the men and women God has used over the years to deepen my understanding and experience of the gospel, some of whom were present last night. More gospel always leads to more freedom, joy, sanity, and peace. I am deeply grateful for the fellowship around the Word (whether on Wednesday night or Sunday morning) that encourages and empowers me to move forward in my calling.
This morning, I am also grateful for patient teachers who opened the Scriptures and revealed to me the true Jesus – the Messiah who lived and died in my place, the second Adam who provided perfect righteousness, not just a second chance or moral example.
But above all, I am thankful for all of you who help me experience what is called “the music of the gospel” – its life-giving liberty, healing melody, and soul-engaging joy. When we get involved with the text, the Holy Spirit takes over and you help me see things not from a different perspective but from a fuller one. This is one of the greatest blessings of being part of the body of Christ. Theology and the Holy Spirit have become doxology in my soul because of His Body, wherever and whenever we gather. That is why, like Paul, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
Ultimately, from the beginning to the end, I am thankful for Jesus, who crushed the head of the serpent for us and will soon crush him under our feet as well. “For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:19-20). The gospel of the kingdom is infiltrating and transforming every sphere of life. His Bride is being redeemed from the nations, and our future is far beyond all that we can ask or imagine.
So, I leave you with this promise, which of course, does not come from me. It is a promise so magnificent that when we meditate on it, we realize that we are His and are being prepared for a new home, and that will not change until we are called to Heaven or He returns. “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
God bless y’all today and again… Thank you!
In His Grip,
Pastor Mike
