Day 31 – Forty Days in the Word

Mission Blitz today!!!  I look forward to being present at both sites in both communities.   This is our seventh year to dedicate a Saturday in April for the Wesley UMC congregation to be out in ministry in the Springfield community. The sun is bright, though it is chilly. Six months of preparation have been focused upon today's efforts, and the follow-up which will ensue.       

Day 31 – Forty Days in the Word.

Philippians 2, especially verse 13

“For it is God who works in Bruce Baxter to will and to act according to his good pleasure.” To rewrite this verse, inserting my name as per the devotional plan for this week prescribed by Rick Warren is powerful. It is God who works in me. It is God working in me that adjusts my will – Psalmist – Lord give me the desires of my heart – ie cause my heart to desire what You desire. It is God working in my that directs my actions – “that I may do, what Thou wouldst do.” My actions today as I visit the two mission blitz sites and interact with all the people involved will be the result of God working in me.

As I consider my possible role in seminary leadership, it would be God working in me to will and act according to His good pleasure in the operations, outreach, design, implementation and funding of the work of educating and training pastors. This gives me great confidence. I am not alone. What I will and do is not self-generated. My life is hidden in Christ, filled with the Spirit of Christ and directed to the purposes of Christ. As I preach and prepare messages, it is God at work in me to speak the word of reconciliation, of love, of life with hope, joy and peace.

Thank you Lord for this scripture from the pen of Paul and from his heart. My prayer this morning is that You would more fully and powerfully be at work in Bruce Baxter to will, desire, and plan to act according to all that pleases You and extends Your kingdom on earth, even as it is in heaven.