May 2: God is at work in you

So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.  (Philippians 2:12-13 - Holman Christian Standard Bible)

There are two very important steps in a life being transformed and a person living for the glory of God. He must desire and seek the will of God, and be willing to step out in obedience. But that is not enough to transform a person and assure him of spiritual success. A person also needs God to do His work in him. In these verses we see both parts of salvation emphasized. 

Paul tells the Philippians to continue to obey the Lord Jesus, and says that they must work out their salvation with fear and trembling. Our salvation is so important, and obeying God so urgent a matter, that we work at it with fear and trembling. People are lost all around us, and the devil is destroying multiplied thousands every day — and so we must have a no holds barred attitude with the devil and demons, and defeat them by the power of Jesus, remembering that all too many people around us do not treat salvation with fear and trembling. Too many have accepted the lie of demons that everyone will be saved no matter how they live their lives.

It's important to be conscious of how God is working in us. He places desires and purposes in us. The will to obey and follow Him are also part of His work in us. But instead of allowing that fact to make us lazy and complacent, we need to step out in courage, enthusiasm, and persistence — as though it all depended on us, all the while knowing that we are guaranteed success because the mighty God we serve is at work deep within us to motivate and empower!

This is the reason behind meetings for the Holy Spirit at SiLC. The Holy Spirit has been given by God to be our Helper, Teacher, and Strength-Giver. But when we seek Him, we have to do it with all our hearts and cooperate fully with all that He wants to do in us. When we do, He will come in all His power so that we will never be weak again.

I encourage you to make a promise that you will not miss Sunday meetings in church from now on. Your salvation, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit are too important to be treated casually.