DECEMBER 12, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

DECEMBER 12 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: PHILIPPIANS 2:12-16

Jesus said in John 15, "Apart from Me you can do nothing." This verse reminds us that it is Jesus who wills and does everything through us to accomplish His purpose in our lives. This verse is not a call to laziness, but actually to great activity in the things of God...activity that is empowered and energized by the Holy Spirit Himself. We are reminded by our Savior that the Christian life is not one where He saves us, then sends us out on our own to do the best we can. He saves us and then it is He who continually empowers us, guides us and goes with us in everything He calls us to do. In the book of Acts, Jesus told His Disciples to wait until the Holy Spirit had come upon them, and then they would receive power to be witnesses of Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the world. The Lord did not and does not; want His followers doing anything apart from Him.

Far too many religious movements drive their people to accomplish great things for God. They tell their people that they need to be successful in expanding the kingdom of God...they need to work hard for God so that He will be pleased with them. This again is the teachings of a man-centered religion rather than a Christ-centered relationship. Jesus already told us that without Him it is impossible to do anything. I would say without being submitted to the Holy Spirit it is impossible to live the Christian life. We become worried about how we can succeed for God...then we start measuring success by man's standards rather than by God's. As I understand the Scripture, there is one definition of a successful Christian...obedience! In obedience we trust in Him... we submit each day to Him...we rely on Him to do through us what He knows needs to be done. In obedience we are ready to join Him in His great activity for His Kingdom. In obedience it's His power, His will and His results. We are totally dependent upon Jesus for salvation...and we are totally dependent on Jesus in our salvation!

Please share your thoughts.