As a minister, I am challenged by the apostle Paul.
First of all, the prayer he makes for his congregation in the city of Philippi, the one to which he writes, he prays that they may
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grow in love,
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grow in knowledge, revelation, and discernment.
Question : What is the prayer I pray for the people I lead, what am I asking God to do in their lives, am I so focused on their material needs that I forget to cry out to God for inner transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit, and for revelation from God?
Afterwards He tells them that his joy will be complete when he sees them:
- united in the same thought, the same love, the same feelings and
- pursue the same goal.
This is what his heart desires for these people.
Question : What does my heart desire? for those I lead; what makes me happy about them, what is God's work in their lives that enchants me, what type of testimony makes me vibrate?
And, he encourages them to
- obedience,
- live worthy of the gospel,
- stand firm in proclaiming faith in Christ
- accept to suffer for the gospel
- humility
Question Do I preach these things or do I just pander to them and feed their fleshly desires to ensure they keep coming to feed my thirsty ego? Do I avoid calling for obedience, God-centered living, humility, unity, and an evangelical lifestyle for fear of boring people? Paul didn't.
I am challenged by the apostle Paul. My constant prayer is this: God, whatever you did in Paul, do the same in me.
Thank you for being so open to change and transformation, for not seeking to be flattered but to be shaped. And your lives are a true blessing.
I thank you for your constant desire to see us grow in God's revelation and in love. I confirm that what truly delights you is not the number of people in your church or your reputation, but the transformation God works in each of us and the radical conversions! May God be glorified in our lives and may he boast of us as he boasted of Job.