Day 83 of 90 Devotion

Dearest e-votees-

Day eighty-three of our cover to cover voyage through the Bible. We have completed Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. (51 down, 15 to go) If you want to see the readings for our trip through the Bible you can follow this link:

www.christthegoodshep.org/biblein90days.html

Peace,
Karl

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Day 83 Readings: Galatians 3:26-Colossians 4:18

Included in today's reading is a marvelous passage that sustains me and comes to mind often:

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now 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 1:3-6, NIV

Paul's letters, as many letters of this time apparently, always had a section with thanksgiving just after the greeting. Paul has a deep love for the church at Philippi. He considers them partners. He sees them as having a long-standing work together. The work was given by God and will be brought to completion by God. This deep and abiding communal work is the basis of their relationship.

You and I (and all Christians) are partners in a deep and abiding communal work as well. We ought to thankfully remember one another in prayer to God. We ought to pray joyfully for one another. We were partnered in the gospel at the baptismal font. God began a good work in us when we were joined to Christ (clothed in Christ it says in Galatians 3:25). Our lives are marked by the cross. We are set free and called into the work of the gospel. When we die we are still clothed in Christ (whether there is a pall on your coffin or however your remains are disposed). God is faithful until our dying day bringing to completion the work begun in us in baptism. And when we are resurrected in Christ (joined to the empty tomb as much as to the cross) God's work in us will be complete. God will not let go of us until that day.

Since our futures are secure (up to the grave and beyond) we are free to joyfully serve. To joyfully serve with each other. To thankfully lift one another to God. Our confidence isn't found in us or our synod or our pastor. Our confidence is in God who declared us worthy and set us on a path that will be completed. God will never forsake us. God will never stop loving us. God has made us God's own.

I am thankful for you. I am thankful for your partnership in the gospel. God will complete what God has begun in you.


God, thank you. Continue your work. Amen.