Affirmation and Life Application from Scripture-God Helps You Want It

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.  Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) from Bible Gateway

Affirmation-Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to do something that you don’t really want to be doing?  Many of you started diets a few days ago, and some have already fallen away from it because you didn’t want it bad enough.  When successful athletes are interviewed, they often point to their desire to win as what pushed them into the discipline to work hard enough to develop into champions.  Helping us to develop that type of desire, but focused on pleasing God and doing His will, is what I believe Paul is referring to when he talks about God working in us.  Also, the fear and trembling point to showing reverence toward the Lord and working to develop a closer relationship with Him.  God not only gives us the desire, but as we develop that He also makes sure we have His power, manifest in gifts/skills/personality, to accomplish His will.  Even if we aren’t connected to a church and have the mentoring of a pastor or church elder, we can still reach out toward God Himself to activate the power He has already placed in us!

Application-Don’t approach God’s will for our lives as a burden, obligation, or drudgery.  Look toward it as an opportunity, and one we don’t have to walk out alone or worry about condemnation if we stumble.