Daily Devotional

Philippians 2:13

For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Through the years of my ministry, I have seen how God has enabled me and others to serve Him. He has uniquely fashioned us to serve him in special ways. God is the One who puts within us the desire to serve Him. In Philippians 2:13, the word “will” means wish or desire. Those tugs at our heart, the interest we have or that longing to serve in some capacity of spiritual ministry is ultimately placed in our life by God Himself. He will lead us to serve in the very areas He has enabled us spiritually. God works in us so that we can do His good pleasure and accomplish His good purpose. Both divine enablement and human responsibility are involved in getting God’s work done. We are partners with God, laboring together with Him.

God also energizes us to serve Him. The word “work” means to “energize” or “provide enablement.” God works in our life in such a way that we are both willing and desirous to do His work. As we follow God’s leading, He provides the enabling to do the good works. We do not muster up the strength in ourselves. This is why the spiritual gifts of service that God gives His children are called “grace gifts.” They are given to us by grace and through grace God provides the strength to do them. Notice all the glory then goes to God and not to the vessel. "That the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:9).

It brings God joy when we serve Him according to His design and will. This service brings blessing to us and those we serve. It ulitmately brings glory to God and in the process He rewards us for serving Him, again all of grace. What is God stirring your heart to do for Him?  What steps do you need to take to make that ministry become a reality? God is encouraging you to follow the desires He has placed in your heart. He has equipped you to serve Him and He wants you to experience the joy that comes as you minister to others.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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