Philippians 2:12 – What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. (MSG)

Mary Jane, my weight loss lecturer, has one recurring theme: pretend that you are a new member. Do all the things that you did when you first joined.

This includes studying the food plan, measuring portions carefully, and exercising every day. When I don't lose any weight, it is because I have forgotten what I learned when I first joined.

Similarly, in our faith life, when we feel separated from God, it is because we have forgotten to be a "new member." We haven't been studying our Christian food plan, the Bible. We haven't been measuring our lives by His standards of obedience. We have not exercised our faith with prayer.

Prayer: God, creator of new hearts, we want to return to our new-member status. We choose to be reverent and sensitive before You. Help us to redouble our efforts. Thanks for constantly drawing us back to Yourself. Amen.

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About the author:

Brenda Wood <brenda.w@nextcom.ca>
Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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