Daily Devotional

November is my birthday month. When I was younger I could not wait for November to get here. I was so excited to be getting older. I remember going from 5 to 6, now it took two hands to have enough fingers for my age. And at age 11, now I couldn’t hold up my fingers to let you know my age. And going into teen years, I was so excited. I got my driver’s license on my 16th birthday and shortly after that my first part-time job. I was pumped as I took my first steps toward independence. And I was excited about turning 20 because I was no longer a teenager. I was starting my third decade.

Now that I’m older, birthdays aren’t a big deal. There’s all these well-meaning people telling you to have a good day, and I think “What if it isn’t a good day?” I mean, that’s a lot of pressure. There’s these reminders that I’m getting older, namely the aches and pains I never had in my 20’s. There’s the disappointments over unmet expectations and dreams. And even regrets from my past as I think back on bad decisions I made over the years.

Then I am reminded of this incredible verse:

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 1:6

This verse reminds me that the work God started in me, He will complete. What is that work? Transforming me into Christ’s image until the “day of Christ Jesus”. That word transformation is best thought of as “changing from the inside out”. Christ comes into our hearts at conversion. And from that moment forward, He starts changing us. In Matthew 12:34, Jesus says “out of the heart the mouth speaks”. And when I talk with new believers and ask them, “After you accepted Christ, what change did you notice first?” They say, “My speech, my language, I knew I needed to stop cussing.” Because with a heart change comes speech change. 

So here are five takeaways from Philippians 1:6…

1. This good work is initiated by God
It is God’s project from start to finish. We were dead in our sins (Eph.2:1). And dead is dead. Without the Holy Spirit softening your heart to the hope of Christ, you would’ve never come to Christ. Your confidence is completely in Him. You can achieve nothing in your own righteousness.

2. This good work is an ongoing process
The goal of discipleship is “To become like Christ”. And it makes sense. We become like the one we follow. And as we are following Christ, the process of change and transformation continues. God is at work making you more like Christ, even during times of struggle.

3. God is faithful to complete His good work
God always finishes what He starts. So that should give you confidence to persevere through life’s difficulties. And life throws difficulties at us constantly. Remember that God’s power is at work in you. And He has a final and glorious completion for you.

4. You are called to cooperate with God in His work
The Holy Spirit works with God’s Word to lead and guide us into His will. And God’s will always includes obedience to His Word. So as we obey what the Spirit is calling us to do, we are cooperating with God as He works on our hearts. As we obey, we become more and more like Christ. People start to see a difference in us. Our minds are renewed, and we sin less.

5. God’s good work in you is a source of joy
It’s easy to get discouraged when it seems our struggles, failures, and regrets are dominating our thoughts. Knowing that God is at work even in the midst of our struggles is assuring and a source of joy. It reminds us that we are never alone on our spiritual journey. Jesus says, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mt.28:20)

So on your next birthday, don’t get discouraged. Remember, God always finishes what He starts. And He has started a good work in you. And He has more for you to do. 

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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