Chatting with Jesus
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Lord, the Philippian believers made an exchange that greatly favored them. After embracing Your grace of forgiveness of sin and redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, their world turned topsy-turvy. Openly declaring their faith in You came with a price. Society “cancelled” them, costing them jobs, homes, businesses, material “stuff,” which was only temporary anyway. In exchange, they gained an unexplainable peace and joy amid the persecution and were guaranteed eternal life with You. What they gained could never be cancelled. Paul explained their ongoing process of redemption like this:
I’m confident of this one thing: God, who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion until the day we join Jesus in Heaven — Philippians 1:6
The same scenarios exist today. Lord, You know skeptics will ask new Christ-followers about our lifestyle change and this new exuberance about God and Jesus. Most have no theological answer. And that’s okay with You. Understanding comes later as we grow in becoming more like You, Jesus. The answer You gave these believers for the mockers is still relevant today.
I can’t explain what happened, but something happened. I just know I’m different on the inside. God removed the old sinful “me” and made a new “me” inside me. God accepted me as I was, a broken and tattered soul. Something else. I have a new love I can’t explain. Even though you ridicule me, I want you to experience this new life as well — 2 Corinthians 5:17.
May it be so, Lord Jesus. Amen
THANKFUL 
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