Philippians 1:3–11 (ESV)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in
the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It
is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness,
how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what
is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Paul begins by giving thanks to the people. We are often too quick to criticize and often forget (or slow) to give thanks. Paul is giving thanks. Even Jesus taught us to give thanks. Paul is not grumbling
while doing this, but you can see his heartfelt joy. A real key verse in this big thanksgiving is: “6 And I am sure of this, that he who
began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” The “he” in verse 6 is God. It is God who has created faith in us, forgives us, justifies us, and sanctifies us. He will bring it to completion
at the day of Jesus Christ.
I pray: O Lord, you are working in me and changing me according to your will.
Thank you for your forgiveness and salvation. Amen.