Sharing Bread Philippians 2:25-30

SHARING BREAD

²⁵ But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. ²⁶ For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, ³⁰ because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

Phil 2:25-30 (NIV)

Let’s think for a moment who we would say our heroes are?  Do they wear jerseys or uniforms or fancy clothes?  Are they in the limelight with politics or media or Hollywood?  Have they acquired great wealth or position or influence?  Sadly, it seems most of our heroes are as falling stars – great flashes of light against a pitch black night – soon to dissipate.  No lasting legacy.  No character to emulate.  Perhaps we are searching for heroes in all the wrong places.  Seemingly, it is rare for us to choose to make heroes out of those who are simply faithfully doing what God has called them to do through His power and for His glory.

“We have a tendency to look for wonder in our experience, and we mistake heroic actions for real heroes.  It’s one things to go through a crisis grandly, yet quite another to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, and no one paying even the remotest attention to us.  If we are not looking for halos, we at least want something that will make people say, ‘What a wonderful man of prayer he is!’ or ‘What a great woman of devotion she is!’  If you are properly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the lofty height where no one would ever notice you personally.  All that is noticed is the power of God coming through you all the time….The true test of a saint’s life is not successfulness but faithfulness on the human level of life.”   Oswald Chambers

Don’t get me wrong, I am not in to lauding mere flesh and blood.  The only One who perfectly exemplified love for God and others was Christ.  Yet, at the same time, we need heroes who are faithfully following the Lord Jesus, pointing others to Christ, modeling his behavior.  In an age bereft of courageous leadership, declining biblical literacy, and rising cultural accommodation, faithful voices and actions.  None of us will ever be perfect rather faithfully progressing towards it.  I am reminded of Paul’s words penned to the Corinthians:

¹ Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.   1 Cor 11:1 (NIV)

 

“Every time we resist the slightest temptation, we honor God.  Every time we overcome even the smallest problem by trusting and obeying our Lord Jesus, God is glorified in our lives.  Whenever we choose character over convenience, faithfulness over ease, or honesty over deceit, we bring honor to the Lord Himself.”  Robert J. Morgan  

“Every miracle always begins with the first ordinary step of faithfulness.”   Ann Voskamp

In our verses for today Paul tells us of a faithful minister – Epaphroditus, a brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier who took care of Paul’s needs even to the point of risking his life.  He shared Paul’s spiritual life, dangers and labors, willingly taking the servants role in order to assist Paul.  The bravest love is always wildly faithful, falling new every morning – even in the mundane.  Epaphroditus set forth an exemplary lifestyle for believers to follow.  Indeed, his name means charming.  He served Christ well in serving Paul and the apostle writes to the Philippian believers to honor him and men like him.  Paul speaks of others in 1 Corinthians in the same manner:

¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love. ¹⁵ You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, ¹⁶ to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it. ¹⁷ I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. ¹⁸ For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.   1 Cor 16:13-18 (NIV)

 

"Faithfulness rarely feels heroic; it feels much more like showing up and hanging in. It is a matter of going to our cell, whatever form that might take, and letting it teach us what it will. Availing himself (Brother Lawrence) to consistent faithfulness yielded the blessing of both proficiency and presence—the presence of God—right there in midst of the monotony of dirty pots and pans."   Margaret Guenther

What I glean from this:

·       Heroes to emulate are those who emulate Christ.

·       I am to remain faithful to the finish – it is to be daily.

·       I serve Christ when I serve His people.

         

 

Sharing Bread Philippians 2:19-24

SHARING BREAD

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴ And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Phil 2:19-24 (NIV)

Are we stuck in the continuous maze of our own self-interests or do we seek to look out for the interests of those of Christ Jesus as well?  In our verses for today, Paul tells of Timothy, his son in the faith, who, according to the apostle, stood out like a rare gem in a world of self-seekers.  Timothy proved himself to be a man with a tender heart towards others and an excellent selfless spirit.  He had been tried and tested and proved faithful.  How refreshing!

Apparently, selfishness was just as rampant in Paul’s day as it is in our own.  Someone who was selfless stood out like a shining star in the universe just as they do today (rare as their example may be).  Many put their own reputations and comfort first and foremost before honoring Truth, holiness and duty.  John the Baptist understood selflessness at a core level and shined his example brightly for us.  He stated in the Gospel of John regarding Jesus:

³⁰ He must become greater; I must become less.   John 3:30 (NIV)

Certainly selflessness was the model set forth for us to follow by the Lord Jesus who perfectly exemplified His love for God and for others.  Our Lord’s union with the Father was one of continual obedience, love and purpose.  Again looking in the Gospel of John, we see Jesus’ confession of this fact:

³⁰ By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.   John 5:30 (NIV)   

 

²⁹ The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.  John 8:29 (NIV)

“Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father.  I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit.  And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived – a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will – where I pay no attention to anything else.”   Oswald Chambers

Timothy was not the only one being selfless in our verses for today.   The apostle was in prison and Timothy had brought him much comfort therefore it was sacrificial on Paul’s part to send his son in the faith away.  Timothy was close to Paul and very dear to his heart.  He brought him much company and joy.  Yet Paul’s deep and abiding love and concern for the Philippian believer’s spiritual welfare prompted him to send Timothy on to minister to them even though it would mean he was left with a great hole in his heart.  If ever the apostle needed Timothy it was then yet he sacrifices this companionship for the benefit of these Philippian saints.  Sacrifices cost.  Paul had led these saints to Jesus and he wanted to make sure that they continued to grow spiritually.  He had their best interest at heart though it came at a dear price to him.

“It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God – that is where our faithfulness is revealed.  Most of us can do things if we are always at some heroic level of intensity, simply because of the natural selfishness of our own hearts.  But God want us to be at the drab everyday level, where we live in the valley according to our personal relationship with Him….The first thing I must be willing to admit when I begin to examine what controls and dominates me is that I am the one responsible for having yielded myself to whatever it may be.  If I am a slave to myself, I am to blame because somewhere in the past I yielded to myself.  Likewise, if I obey God I do so because at some point in my life I yielded myself to Him.”   Oswald Chambers   

Paul sought to display the same obedience and love in his ministry as he followed the example Christ.  He writes in 1 Corinthians:

³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ³² Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God-- ³³ even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. ¹ Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.    1 Cor 10:31-11:1 (NIV)

He also writes to us in Romans the following exhortation for our good and God’s glory:

¹ We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. ² Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³ For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” ⁴ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.   Romans 15:1-4 (NIV)

 

What I glean from this:

 

·       I am not only to look out for my own interests but also for the interests of others.

·       Christ willingly gave up His rights to Himself.

·       Paul sought to follow the example of Christ and I am to as well.  

 

 

Sharing Bread Philippians 2:17-18

SHARING BREAD

¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Phil 2:17-18 (NIV)

Paul’s God given purpose in life brought him much pleasure.  It gave him continuous cause for rejoicing even amongst his many trials and tribulations.  This should be the case for every believer in Christ Jesus.  To be sure, the safest and sweetest as well as the most rewarding and fulfilling place to be is smack dab in the center of God’s good, pleasing and perfect will.  Believers are to be mature – perfected in Christ – assured of His way.  To paraphrase what Amy Carmichael once wrote - we are not sure our way is right for everyone but we are sure it is right for us.  Paul commends Epaphras’ earnest prayers for the saints in Colosse regarding this:

¹² Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.   Col 4:12-13 (NIV)

 

Paul urges all believers in the book of Romans to offer our bodies as living sacrifices.  This refers to the totality of one’s life and activities to be given for the One Who gave all for us.  He also encourages us to continually renew our minds through God’s Word so that we may be able to test and approve what God’s will is for our lives:

 

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. ² Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.   Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

“We sometimes seem to forget that what God takes He takes in fire; and that the only way to the resurrection life and the ascension mount is the way of the garden, the cross, and the grave.  Think not, O soul of man, that Abraham’s was a unique and solitary experience.  It is simply a specimen and pattern of God’s dealings with all souls who are prepared to obey Him at whatever cost.  After thou hast patiently endured, thou shalt receive the promise.  The moment of supreme sacrifice shall be the moment of supreme and rapturous blessing.  God’s river, which is full of water, shall burst its banks, and pour upon thee a tide of wealth and grace.  There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts down his foot he finds a rock beneath him.”   F. B. Meyer

Paul was so confident of God’s direction of his mission that he could state his pleasure rather than his sorrow in being poured out like a drink offering from his sacrifice and service on behalf of the Philippians’ faith.  The wording he used “poured out” is from the Greek word “spendomai” meaning a drink offering given as a sacrifice to God.  The apostle used the same term in 2 Timothy when he wrote:

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  2 Tim 4:6-8 (NIV)

“God will be our compensation for every sacrifice we have made.”   F. B. Meyer  

“We must remember that God will never drag us along the path of true-hearted discipleship. This would greatly lack the moral excellency which characterizes all the ways of God. He does not drag, but draws us along the path which leads to ineffable blessedness in Himself; and if we do see that it is for our real advantage to break through all the barriers of nature, in order to respond to Gods’ call, we forsake our own mercies. But alas! our hearts little enter into this. We begin to calculate about the sacrifices, the hindrances, and the difficulties, instead of bounding along the path, in eagerness of soul, as knowing and loving the One whose call has sounded in our ears”. C H Macintosh

“Nothing is really lost by a life of sacrifice; everything is lost by failure to obey God’s call.”   Henry P. Liddon

Paul cared not what man thought about him nor did he dwell much on himself, for him, it was simply all about Jesus.  His focus was fixed and unwavering.  He also believed Christ was to be the source and focus of Christian unity – never flawed flesh.  His accomplishments in preaching the Gospel was not based on human wisdom rather power given from above.  The apostle was well aware that brilliant and persuasive arguments may win a man’s mind but not his heart.  It was the Spirit of God which enabled his words to be effective.  I am reminded of Paul’s piercing words to the Corinthians:

¹⁰ I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. ¹¹ My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. ¹² What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”  ¹³ Is Christ divided?  Was Paul crucified for you?  Were you baptized into the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. ¹⁶ (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.   1 Cor 1:10-17 (NIV)

 

“If you know who you are in Christ, it won’t matter so much to you what other people think.”   Joyce Meyer

 

What I glean from this:

 

·       God’s will for my life is good, pleasing and perfect.

·       God calls me to be a “living sacrifice”.  Beth Moore says the problem with living sacrifices is that they keep getting off of the altar – God never forces us or ties us down there.

·       I lose nothing by living a life of sacrifice but everything if I fail to be obedient to God’s call.  

 

 

 

Sharing Bread Philippians 2:14-16

SHARING BREAD

¹⁴ Do everything without complaining or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ¹⁶ as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Phil 2:14-16 (NIV)

When my kids were still in the home, this was one of my favorite verses.  Indeed, I had them commit it to memory as no one likes to be around a grouchy, whiney, complaining child – especially a Momma!  Grumbling and complaining from God’s children do not settle well with Him either (to say the least).  Does manna and quail ring a bell with anyone?  When the Israelites grumbled and complained over His provision for their lives it made God mad.  Their actions demonstrated a lack of faith that He did not have their best interest at heart.  As believers, we are to trust Him as He is forever trustworthy.  His desire is for us to know that we know that we know – at a core level - that all He allows in our lives will ultimately be for our good and His glory – never one surpassing the other.  That is the truth found in Romans 8 – another Scripture site that we would all do well to commit to memory.  I have discovered whatever is stored up and treasured in my mind and heart motivates my words and actions:

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. ³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?   Romans 8:28-31 (NIV)

 

Admittedly, the “things” allowed are often not relished or deemed good rather it is what they produce in our lives that will be for our good.  God is in the business of conforming us into the image of His Son and making beauty from our ashes.  He knows how to take some of the most terrific atrocities and heartbreaks, orchestrating and turning them into something beautiful in the life of the believer if we allow.  We live in a broken fallen world where sin was foolishly welcomed in by mankind over the perfection God created.  Death entered on the scene.  Make no mistake, believers are not the only ones who experience heartbreak and troubles – no one is excluded or immune from these human woes.  Yet for those who believe, God redeems even the worst of our pain and sorrows.  Our pain has purpose and our lives have a plan for them – we can count on it.       

“These trials are just ‘tools’ in God’s hands,” said the Iranian believer.  “Who am I to criticize the tools that God uses to make me more holy?”

"Somehow in the wonder-working providence of God, our worst problems become our best pulpits. God turns our tragedies into testimonies and our emergencies into evangelism. Our testimonies are forged and crafted in the trials of life, our pain has an evangelistic purpose, our problems become His pulpits, and the things that happen to us turn out for the furtherance of the gospel."  Robert J. Morgan
In our verses for today, Paul allows no exception to the “no complaining” command by using the word “everything” (ouch!).  Convicting to be sure!  Isn’t it easy to rattle off a litany of complaints when we are even the least bit inconvenienced?  To be sure, it’s embarrassing to be so fleshly weak!  The antidote to a grumbling and complaining spirit is always gratitude.  Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians:

¹⁶ Be joyful always; ¹⁷ pray continually; ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.   1 Thess 5:16-18 (NIV)

 

"Cultivating a grateful heart is not just an add-on nicety, a civil tip of the hat to God as we steamroll through our day. A posture of purposeful, perpetual thanks to God is absolutely central to Christian character. It gives glory to Him. It is the key defense against Satan's temptations to despair, distrust, dysfunction. It protects us from sin and self. It is the hallmark of heaven. It does not exist in hell."  Ellen Vaughn

 

“The best way to show my gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy.”  Mother Teresa

"Gratitude is not an option for believers who want to splash in waves of grace...God commands His followers to be thankful.  Some spend a lot of time wondering about God's will for their lives. We can be absolutely certain of at least one aspect of His divine will: we are to be thankful! We are to give thanks! In all things!"   Ellen Vaughn

 

Believers are to be as shining as stars in the universe as we hold out the Word that gives life.  A complaining spirit throws a wet blanket over our testimonies as our actions speak louder than our words.  This brings disgrace to our Master as well as demonstrates our lack of belief in the One Who willingly gave His all for us.  When we are willingly thankful even in the midst of trying, difficult, heartbreaking circumstances - through the Spirit’s power - we offer up a sacrifice of praise which demonstrates to the world our trust in the One Who controls all.     

   
“I cannot understand Him, but I can trust Him.   And so today, when everything physical and emotional in me is completely drained, and there is not a single note of praise in my heart, I choose to praise Him anyway.  Not for what He does, but for Who He is.  When I cannot praise Him out of joy, I will praise Him out of obedience.  And I am learning that when I praise Him out of obedience from the depths of the pit, it is always more meaningful then when I praise Him out of an overflow of my heart from the heights of the mountain.  And because I know His nature, and I know that even when I don’t feel it, He is still a kind, loving, good God, then I know that soon, He will fill my heart with joy once again.  And the praise will flow easily from the depths of my heart.”    Laura Black

 

What I glean from this:

 

·       I am called to do everything without complaining or arguing.

·       Gratitude is the antidote for a complaining spirit.

·       I can trust God.        

 

Sharing Bread Philippians 2:12-13

SHARING BREAD

¹² 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, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Phil 2:12-13 (NIV)

In our verses for today, Paul lovingly tells us both divine enablement and human responsibility are involved in getting God’s work done.  Believers are to be partners with God, laboring together with Him for the furtherance of the kingdom.  Paul does not say we must work for our salvation – that is the free gift of God - rather we are to work out our salvation – proof that we are God’s children, that we belong to Him and that it is through His power we are accomplishing His works at hand.  It boils down to being a matter of our will.  The secret to a changed life is willful submission to God’s control allowing Him to work in and through us.  God’s grace to us is not to be without effect:

¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.  No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.   1 Cor 15:10 (NIV)

 

God works in the life of the believer to accomplish His purposes - the outworking of His good pleasure and works kindly comes through His enabling.  In other words, He equips us to do His will which brings Him much glory and us great satisfaction.  He uses our need and desire for fulfillment propelling us to accomplish His purposes. 

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”   John Piper

“Desire only God, and your heart will be satisfied.”   Augustine

We are merely called to be willing vessels – whatever His choice purposes are for us.  To be sure, His will is always good and pleasing and perfect for every believer.  He has a plan for each life and uniquely equips us for that purpose.  Paul writes in Romans:

 

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. ² Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.   Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

 

The Prophet Jeremiah also writes:

 

¹¹ “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”   Jer 29:11 (NIV)

 

To be sure, there remains no room for a spiritual “big head” or pride as God can use a donkey or even a rock to do His bidding! Therefore, the outworking of His will is to be done with “fear and trembling” with a complete trust in God and not in ourselves.  Works done in the flesh - Scripture refers to as wood, hay and stubble - in the end will be burned up.  How foolish to pour out our lives for flames to consume.  We are to be careful how we build:

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. ¹⁴ If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.   1 Cor 3:10-15 (NIV)

 

“We may easily be too big for God to use, but never too small.”  D. L. Moody

 

Paul exhorts believers to seriousness and diligence in the matter of the Christian walk as it is always for our best interest.  Indeed, the wording he used means to listen to something, to hearken, to give heed, to follow and to yield.  It refers to the manifestation of the faith – producing and accomplishing God’s purposes, pleasure, intent and inclination in and through us.

 

“One of the best ways to discover a Christian's chief anxieties and ambitions is to study the content of his prayers and the intensity with which he prays them.  We all pray about what concerns us and are evidently not concerned about matters we do not include in our prayers. Prayer expresses desire. Prayer is the soul's sincere desire...Paul pours out his soul to God....The basis of Paul's prayer was the knowledge of God's purpose.”   John Stott  

“Ecstasy and delight are essential to the believer’s soul and they promote sanctification. We were not meant to live without spiritual exhilaration, and the Christian who goes for a long time without the experience of heart-warming will soon find himself tempted to have his emotions satisfied from earthly things and not, as he ought, from the Spirit of God. The soul is so constituted that it craves fulfillment from things outside itself and will embrace earthly joys for satisfaction when it cannot reach spiritual ones… The believer is in spiritual danger if he allows himself to go for any length of time without tasting the love of Christ and savoring the felt comforts of a Savior’s presence. When Christ ceases to fill the heart with satisfaction, our souls will go in silent search of other lovers… By the enjoyment of the love of Christ in the heart of a believer, we mean an experience of the “love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us” (Rom. 5:5)… because the Lord has made himself accessible to us in the means of grace, it is our duty and privilege to seek this experience from Him in these means till we are made the joyful partakers of it.”  John Flavel (1630-1691)

 

What I glean from this:

 

·       I am to work out my salvation with fear and trembling.

·       I am called to be a willing vessel for the Spirit’s power.

·       God’s will for my life is good and pleasing and perfect.