Working Out
God has given us the power to transform our lives and to grow deeper in relationship with Him. But that desire to change has to start with us. Today we are looking at surrendering our lives to God by being obedient. Let’s pray together before we dive into this topic.
Lord, we are so thankful that we have You to guide us in life. I pray that we are able to take a deeper look at who we are and how we can continue to become more and more like You. I pray that You help us to have an open mind and heart to hear the truths You have for us today. Amen.
Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
I can remember being a kid and having that person that I wanted to be just like when I got older and grew up. I looked up to that person and I wanted to do everything they did. I thought they were just so cool and if I could be as cool as they were, then I’d have a pretty good life! Can you remember someone that you wanted to be like when you grew up?
This is the same idea that we should have when we decide to follow Jesus. We should have that deep desire to be just like Him and to act just like He did. We should want to have the same character traits and to emulate Him in all of our interactions. The great news is, God gives us the power to be able to do that in our own lives! But it does not come naturally, nor will it come without hard work. Are you willing to do the hard work to become more and more like Jesus?
If we are to become like Jesus, we have to be willing to completely surrender our lives to Him. We have to continually seek Him. We have to be obedient to where and what He is calling us to do. In doing these things, we will be able to look back and see how God has worked in our lives. He will change us from the inside out. We will see how He molds our desires to ones that will be pleasing to Him. But we have to want that for our lives, and then we have to put in the work to bring it to fruition. Are you willing to fully surrender your life to Him and do whatever He calls you to do?
Allow God to come alongside you and help you as you are working on becoming more and more like Him. Be an active participant in transforming your life by giving it all to Jesus and allowing Him to lead you. Take some time to talk with Him and invite Him into your transformation. Below are a few prompts to get you started.
Lord, I pray that You help me to transform my life to become more like You…
God, I deeply desire to change my life to act and think like You. Help me to….
It can be hard to put in the work, Lord. Can You help me to stay strong…
I hope that you are able to fully surrender your life to God and allow Him to guide you and help you as you are working out your faith.
Lord, we are so thankful that we have You to guide us in life. I pray that we are able to take a deeper look at who we are and how we can continue to become more and more like You. I pray that You help us to have an open mind and heart to hear the truths You have for us today. Amen.
Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
I can remember being a kid and having that person that I wanted to be just like when I got older and grew up. I looked up to that person and I wanted to do everything they did. I thought they were just so cool and if I could be as cool as they were, then I’d have a pretty good life! Can you remember someone that you wanted to be like when you grew up?
This is the same idea that we should have when we decide to follow Jesus. We should have that deep desire to be just like Him and to act just like He did. We should want to have the same character traits and to emulate Him in all of our interactions. The great news is, God gives us the power to be able to do that in our own lives! But it does not come naturally, nor will it come without hard work. Are you willing to do the hard work to become more and more like Jesus?
If we are to become like Jesus, we have to be willing to completely surrender our lives to Him. We have to continually seek Him. We have to be obedient to where and what He is calling us to do. In doing these things, we will be able to look back and see how God has worked in our lives. He will change us from the inside out. We will see how He molds our desires to ones that will be pleasing to Him. But we have to want that for our lives, and then we have to put in the work to bring it to fruition. Are you willing to fully surrender your life to Him and do whatever He calls you to do?
Allow God to come alongside you and help you as you are working on becoming more and more like Him. Be an active participant in transforming your life by giving it all to Jesus and allowing Him to lead you. Take some time to talk with Him and invite Him into your transformation. Below are a few prompts to get you started.
Lord, I pray that You help me to transform my life to become more like You…
God, I deeply desire to change my life to act and think like You. Help me to….
It can be hard to put in the work, Lord. Can You help me to stay strong…
I hope that you are able to fully surrender your life to God and allow Him to guide you and help you as you are working out your faith.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Don’t Stop Short of JesusThe Cross Is God’s Invitation to YouRemembering the OwnerThe OwnerThe Illusion of Self-Made SuccessActs 26:12–23 | Paul’s Encounter with JesusActs 26: 1–11 | Agrippa Grants PermissionInvited From The OutsideSurrender Creates PeaceWhen Blessing Becomes ForgetfulnessWhat A Pastor Means When They Say... | The Branch Living as Stewards, Not OwnersCreated for RelationshipThe Heart Behind the GiftSurrender GainsThe StewardFaithful StewardsOne Percent BetterEverything Belongs to GodThe Evaluation Is ComingActs 26:24-32 | Agrippa Parries Paul's ChallengeRedefining Success | The Branch The EvaluationHow You View God Determines EverythingThe Economy of Kingdom InvestmentChoose Your Category WiselyAnchored in Steadfast LoveActs 27:1-3 | Paul Sails for RomeDiscerning Between Good And Evil | The BranchLoved Enough to Be DisciplinedThe Steadfast Love of GodReturning to God’s WayCrying Out from the DepthsLiving with Wise Awareness
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
February
Generosity Begins With PriorityThe Heart of GivingTithing as an Act of FaithThe Blessing of GenerosityTrusting God's FaithfulnessSeeing Yourself Through Jesus' EyesThe Power of Jesus' CallFrom Broken to BlessedEmpowered for PurposeHope for the FutureGod Knows Your NeedBringing Your Needs to JesusFaith in the Face of ImpossibilityJesus' Power Over Death and DiseaseTestimony of God's FaithfulnessCreated For A PurposeCompassion In ActionOvercoming Fear To Share HopeMeeting Needs To Show LoveAnswering the Call
March
HosannaWhat a MiracleI Speak Jesus InhabitJesus Over EverythingThe Risky Call of DiscipleshipGod's Presence in Our VulnerabilityThe Sword of TruthThe Power of Small Acts of KindnessEnduring Faith in the Face of AdversityGod's Perfect TimingAnswering the CallEmpowered for ServiceEmbracing God's Greater PurposeFaithfulness in TrialsAnswering God's CallOvercoming Doubt and FearPerseverance in ObedienceGod's Faithfulness in Our JourneyMountaintop Experiences and Everyday Faith The Danger of Covetousness
No Comments