Message Summary: God who began the good work in us is fully committed to its completion which will come about when we draw our final breath. May the Word of God help us dig our way through the stormy messes that could easily slow us down or even trap us from reaching the other side of victory.

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Our weekend snow storm, officially named Jonas, dropped over 2 feet of snow leaving Lancaster County and millions of others along the Eastern Seaboard with lots of snow to shovel. People began digging their way out yesterday and continue to do so today. We’re thankful our neighbor Leon and his son Jandon came over with two big tractors Saturday evening to clear our long driveway. We actually enjoyed being hunkered down on Saturday and watching the storm. Thankfully we never lost electric power which eliminates all our heat sources and water. There were a lot of cancellations with many spending yesterday digging out.

Yesterday our church service was cancelled, as were over 200 churches in our area, but I actually took on the chore of digging out and clearing a path around our van so if needed I could get out. Originally Ester was scheduled to go to work in the afternoon though she was later notified that the store was closed. Today she goes back to work and I am sure the store will be busy!

"Digging out" is a phrase we typically use to describe our shoveling mounds of snow. But "digging out" is also figuratively used in other areas of life such as "digging out of debt". Our digging out from the messy storms of life along with our own personal messes we have made will require great direction, diligence and duration. 

Digging out can be a long process since many pile upon themselves layer after layer of poor decisions that have brought about years of sorrow and regret. God offers forgiveness and a new start, but in life and ministry we are all digging out or have dug out of something and hopefully are helping others dig out as a consequence of redemption.

Consider our life being a project; a long-term, lifetime project. What tremendous confidence the Psalmist expresses in the first 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 fulfill His purpose for me." The KJV states, "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me." The NASV reads this way, "The LORD will accomplish what concerns me."

God started the redemption work when we placed our trust in Christ. For some it's a new process, for others it's been over one's life time. But when God starts His redemption work in our life rest assured that He will complete it. Paul expressed this 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).

I believe Paul was directing the believers' attention to Jesus who works in our lives and perfects our walk as we keep our eyes on Him. Whatever mess we are in when we turn to Christ He can dig us out! Paul traveled continuously starting churches and returning for visits so that he could inspire, instruct, and when needed rebuke those who in were in error.  Surely, at the end of each visit, a number of them wondered how they could grow in their faith walk without their leader's presence.

Pastors, teachers, evangelists, and lay leaders are the human messengers God uses to advance His kingdom and to mature His people.  But God's work is seen individually in those who seek after Him in their own devotional time, through Christian service, and through the daily experiences of life where we especially learn about Him. What a wonderful joy to know that the work of God in our lives is more than just a temporary project based upon a particular Bible study we're attending or whatever godly leader instructs us.

The good news is that God who began the good work in us is fully committed to its completion which will come about when we draw our final breath. May the Word of God guide and sustain us as we dig our way through the stormy messes that could easily slow us down or even trap us from reaching the other side of victory.
 
The good work which God began He begins in the individual heart.  It will be completed over our lifetime and it will be fulfilled according to His purpose and His time!



Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, here I am again; Your 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 on this side. In the midst of my struggles, failures, and distrust I remain confident that You will complete the work that began the day I surrendered my life to You. You accepted me as I was and You lovingly began the reshaping of my life to reflect Your own nature. Not only are You continuing the good work You began, but You are digging me out of the attitudes and actions that weaken my faith and harm my Christian testimony. I thank You that You will fulfill Your purpose for me this day and all the days of my life as I commit all my ways to You. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

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"He Who Began A Good Work"   Video   Steve Green

Just for fun: Ester is developin some film-making skillls, thanks to helps from Iphone software, as evidenced by this one minute trailer about an upcoming movie featuring her border collie Mollie. Video

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