It is Day 6 of the 40Days of Return. Today, I want you to focus on the fact that you are a work-in-progress. God is actively working in you, breaking down your will, and empowering you to find doing his will pleasurable. Think about that for a moment! Can you see Him at work in your life? In what areas of your life are you seeing God’s work the most?
The scripture says in Philippians 2:12-13: Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
God Needs Your Permission
It starts with your readiness and willingness to allow God to work in you. You sure have a role to play. You are the one to initiate the process. The Bible says we draw closer to God and he draws closer to us. The Passion Translation of Philippians 2:12 says: Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the holy awe of God—which brings you trembling into his presence. You must entertain God in your thoughts and let His holy Awe captures your attention. That will draw you to him and make you long for His presence and love.
You Can Count on God!
And God never fails in playing His own role when he sees a ready heart. When he sees how much value you place on your salvation and how much you think about pleasing him. He comes forth for you, actively working in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. The Passions Translation says: God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him.
He is a Will Breaker
One, He is working on your will, desire, passion, and breaking them up to a form that he can use. He is actively at work transforming your will into that of His son, Jesus, who emptied himself of his glory reducing himself to a criminal to be hung on a cross, and willing to die for you and me.
Philippians 2:6-7 says: And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let his mindset become your motivation. He existed in the form of God, yet he gave no thought to seizing equality with God as his supreme prize. Instead he emptied himself of his outward glory by reducing himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human!
You Cannot Do It Without GOD
Two, He is working on your ability to obey his will and do all that He is asking you to do. He uses various means to achieve this and they don’t seem pleasurable at first. It was not pleasurable for Jesus also. When God breaks your will, that is when you can do his will and bring pleasure to him. After Jesus had submitted his will to die for you and me, He humbled himself and became vulnerable, choosing to be revealed as a man and was obedient. He was a perfect example, even in his death—a criminal’s death by crucifixion! (Philippians 2:8)
The results were unmistakable: Because of that obedience, God exalted him and multiplied his greatness! He has now been given the greatest of all names! The authority of the name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in reverence! Everything and everyone will one day submit to this name—in the heavenly realm, in the earthly realm, and in the demonic realm. And every tongue will proclaim in every language: “Jesus Christ is Lord Yahweh,” bringing glory and honor to God, his Father! (Philippians 2:9-11)
That is what God is doing in you right now, and it might not be pleasant. If you endure the workings of God in you, you will enjoy the ultimate results.
Let us pray:
- Thank you Lord for making me with a will and giving me the power of choice.
- Thank you, Lord, for not leaving me to my own will and ways.
- Thank you, Lord, for showing up when I need you most in my life.
- Thank you, Lord, for coming into my heart to save me and indwell me.
- Thank you, Lord, for your work in my heart.
- Today, I come as I am to you, desiring to be broken by you.
- I present my will and ask you to break it up until it is like your Son’s.
- Make your work in me so evident that men may see and Glorify you.
- Empower me to be able to obey you.
- Empower me to be able to do your will at all times.
- I receive Grace to be a doer of your Word.
- I receive Grace to live a life that is consistent with your Word.
- Help me to be an example of the Believer in my Thoughts.
- Help me to be an example of the Believer in my Actions.
- Help me to be an example of the Believer in my Reactions.
- Help me to be an example of the Believer in Obedience.
- Help me to be an example of the Believer in Christlike Behaviors.
- Help me to be an example of the Believer in Humility just like Jesus.
- Break this will until it is just like my Master Jesus Christ’s.
- Thank you, Lord, because you will do more than I can ever ask or think in Jesus name. Amen.
