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God Isn't Finished with Me Yet

Andrea Lende • November 29, 2021

Philippians 2:12-13

God Isn’t Finished with Me Yet


You can listen to the devotion at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/God-Isnt-Finished-with-Me-Yet-e1av5le


Philippians 2:12-13


“Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only in my presence but more because I am absent, work out your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling.”


“Not in your own strength for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.”



Paul was readying the people for his departure from this earth.


He was helping them along to develop some Godly independence.


As such, he told them to work out their salvation.


They needed their own relationship with Christ, so he gave them three points to consider.


First, he told them to work out their salvation with reverence to God.


I find myself needing his advice.


Sometimes I don’t approach the Lord with all the reverence due Him.


He is Almighty God, and I should approach Him with utmost reverence and honor.


Second, Paul advises the people to work out their salvation with awe.


The Lord is an awesome God.


However, I don’t always give Him the praise He deserves.


There are times I blame my disappointments on God.


I can do better here because He is not a God Who disappoints.


I need to get clear that I’m really just disappointed my plan didn’t align with His.


Lastly, Paul tells the people to work out their salvation with trembling.


The Amplified Bible defines trembling to be, “self-distrust, with serious caution, and watchfulness against temptation.”


We’ll never perfect this side of heaven, but God can help us.


God is continually at work in us giving us the desire and power to do better.


Philippians 1:6 says, “He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ.”


Today I choose to believe God is continually working in me to complete the good work He started.


May you find the Lord is at work in you to help you do as He asks.



Daily Prayer:


O Lord, my God, thank You for doing a work in me. Thank You for continually helping me learn more of You and Your ways. Thank You for softening my heart and putting compassion in me where it was absent. Father, I pray You persist in changing my heart and making me the person You desire me to be. I pray You change my soul so I can live the life You have planned for me. Fill my spirit with Yours so I will be more like You. Give me the desires of Your heart, Lord. Help me see with Your eyes. Help me love with Your heart. Help me be Your hands and serve those You ask me to serve. Help me be obedient to You in every way, Father. Fully equip me for Your use. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.


Answer: You are the work of My hands, My child, and I will continue to do a good work in you.

Response: Help me fully surrender to You and allow You to mold and shape my heart, Lord. 

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