“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.
“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:3-11
Once God changed Paul’s heart, He took over all of him. He did and desired nothing half-way. He was all in for Jesus. His remembrances, prayers, and joy were bound up in His cause, His people. And he yearned for the church to be all in for Him too. With every heartbeat, every day, He sought all of God’s intent to be fulfilled in and through them.
Does this describe our daily passion for the ways and workings of God? Do we even have such? Where does our mind turn first thing in the morning, and what does it take to pursue it? If we do not have eyes and a heart for the things of God, would we ask Him to permeate our thoughts with His greatness, faithful care, and lofty purposes? To deepen our love for others and desire to see them grow in maturity, righteousness, and knowledge? When He begins this work in us, He will bring it to completion and enlist us in that work for others. There is no greater joy than to see Him glorified in the sanctification of His people.
Applying biblical examples and praying God’s word for ourselves and others taps richly into His grace. Would we offer Him our total affection? Would we seek Him and His best with all our being? Where will we begin to pray, testify, and minister differently to see Him glorified?
“All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed pow’rs,
all my thoughts and words and doings,
all my days and all my hours.
Let my hands perform his bidding,
let my feet run in his ways;
let my eyes see Jesus only,
let my lips speak forth his praise.
Worldlings prize their gems of beauty,
cling to gilded toys of dust,
boast of wealth and fame and pleasure;
only Jesus will I trust.
Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside;
so enchained my spirit’s vision,
looking at the Crucified.” ~Mary D. James (1810-1883)
Worthy Lord, claim all of me for all of You. Help me pray unceasingly and serve unreservedly for Your sake, renown, and glory.
As the rain and snow 