God Highly Exalted Him

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The One Who Comes

Philippians 2:9-16  The Message

^9-11 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

Rejoicing Together

^12-13 What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

^14-16 Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.

For Reflection 

Christ is the answer!  What is the Question?  How do we live good God-centered lives? 

We frequently can stay a course if our mentors are near by.  But what happens when we fly solo?  How do you keep on keepin' on when no one is there to guide you?

Pray

prayers for steadfast faith.  Pray for forgiveness. Pray for the courage to put your mistakes behind you.  Pray that you will trust in the grace of God.