Monday, October 3, 2005

"Complete And Perfect"

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me" (Psalm 138:8).  

Last week I installed a water softener in our home. At first I was overwhelmed when I opened the box. But then I determined that I could do it and set out to follow the instructions step by step. I managed to complete the project and I am so glad to report that it's working fine with no leaks! Brooksyne is just delighted in the difference in cleaning, particularly her dishes, as we have very hard water directly from our well.

How many projects have you started with good intentions but never finished? How many times have you managed to complete a project and then been able to stand back and really proclaim, "That's perfect!"?  Well, I must candidly admit that I've started plenty of projects during my life without completing them and in regard to those I have completed I am really unable to honestly say concerning any of them, "that's perfect".

Consider our life being a project. What tremendous confidence the Psalmist expresses in the second daily text. I want to appropriate this truth to my life and encourage you to do the same. Read it slowly and consider its personalized truth. "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me." The NIV reads this way "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me."

When God starts the redemption project on our life we can rest in a wonderful assurance that He will complete it. Paul expressed this assurance to the Philippians "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

What a wonderful joy to know that the presence of God in our lives is more than just a temporary project.  In fact the good work which God began will be completed over our lifetime and it will be perfect according to His plan!

If the struggle you're facing is slowly replacing your hope with despair;
Or the process is long and you're losing your song in the night.
You can be sure that the Lord has His hand on you,
Safe and secure, He will never abandon you.
You are His treasure and He finds His pleasure in you.

He who began a good work in you.
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it.
He'll be faithful to complete it.
He who started the work will be faithful to complete it in you. *


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer – Lord Jesus, I realize that I am a work in progress.  Though I committed my life to you many years ago the finished work will not be revealed until I draw my final breath.  In the midst of my struggles, failures, and doubts I remain confident that You will complete the work that was begun the day I surrendered my life to You.  Jesus, You accepted me as I was and You lovingly began to reshape my will to reflect your own nature.  Not only are You continuing the good work You began in my life, but You are perfecting the situations that cause me anxiety.  I'm grateful that I can bring my loved ones to You and the situations that concern me.  When I commit them to You in prayer I'm less anxious and less manipulative in trying to work out things in my own way which only cause greater pain.  I thank You that You will fulfill Your purpose for me this day as I commit my ways to You.  In Your name I praise You.  Amen.

Our fall flowers are now looking just beautiful. Here's a photo I took this morning of our chrysanthemums, along with our dog Roxie.

* "He Who Began A Good Work In You" Mohr, Jon © 1987 Jonathan Mark Music ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright  Management / Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 2005306  This page has an audio link to this song as well as information about a very interesting ministry I located trying to find the song. If you care to look there's a video sample of this man's ministry.