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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. Phil. 1:3-6

Heavenly Father, unlike Paul as he wrote his letter to the Philippians, I’m not enduring an inconvenient Roman imprisonment on this early Wednesday morning. Rather, I’m enjoying a comfortable chair in a friend’s home, while I drink a cup of his coffee—a gift that stirs my heart to worship you this morning.

Thank you for a tapestry of friends who share one huge thing in common—great delight and partnership in the gospel. Like the Apostle Paul, I can’t imagine doing life alone—life without a gospel posse—friends who provoke each other to love and good deeds, not unto a life of getting more and living busier. Father, thank you for friends who want to know, love, serve and resemble Jesus, more and more.

Father thank you for writing us into your story of redeeming grace and transforming love. Thank you for rescuing us from gospel-less religion and grace-less spirituality; from dreams that didn’t include you, and a lifestyle that didn’t require Jesus. Thank you for healing us of our grace allergies. Thank you for freedom to boast in Christ and in our weaknesses; and to pretend less and depend more on the God who raises the dead.

And Father, thank you for promising to complete the good work you began in us and in our world. Now that you’ve freed us from all guilt and condemnation, free us to invest the rest of lives in the expansion of your kingdom and the love of neighbors. Intensify our joy in giving ourselves away to others. Stoke the flames of our compassion for the least and the lost. Give us laser vision of Jesus and of the coming City of God. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.

 

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