Walking in Confidence

Walking in Confidence

Words of Faith 7-26-19

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2019

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Philippians 1

[4] In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy [5] because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, [6] 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.

       It's not hard to imagine the Apostle rubbing his beard for a few moments before putting down just the right word.  Koinonia.  We translate it 'partnership' but Paul meant much more than what we might first think. 

       This is the same word sometimes we translate as "communion" or "fellowship.”  The Joy that Paul felt was not just happiness related to some kind of business arrangement.  It was not even warm gratitude for their offerings. This prayer of Joy was rooted in a deep connection that came from a simple call and message. We sometimes miss that when we worship and work together. We are family.  We are community.  We are connected.

       When we break bread at the table of remembrance called "communion" we sometimes miss the fact that we are bonding ourselves with those at the table in "partnership.”  We are sealing this partnership by sharing the cup and bread.  In the ancient world, the breaking of bread and sharing of a meal was a sign of alliance, friendship, and peace.

       It was out of this "fellowship" that Paul prayed with great Joy.  It is in this partnership, the organic chemistry of the body of Christ, that God brings to completion His plans. 

       Paul spoke a word of confidence into this "koinonia" relationship.  “I am confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”

       This is one to hang on to.  God does not fumble.  God does not misstep.  God finishes what He starts.  What good news for a ten-year-old church.  What good news for a believer of any age!  God will carry to completion what He has begun.  We may not see the completion until the day of Christ Jesus, but we are moving on toward it.  This is part of the Joy of the partnership.

         How about you?  Are you praying with Joy for the partnership, the fellowship of the Body of Christ?  Are you praying with confidence that God will complete what He has started in the lives of believers around you?  Are you speaking that same confidence into the people around you, your family, your friends, and colleagues?  What good news we have to share today!

      Lord, thank You for Your initiative in my life.  Thank You for seeking a love relationship with me that is personal and real.  I ask now that you fill my life with Joy as I celebrate the partnership of the Body of Christ.  Complete in me the good work You have started.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, and our website, and our church app, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.  

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