“My beloved ones, just like you’ve always listened to everything I’ve taught you in the past, I’m asking you now to keep following my instructions as though I were right there with you. Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the holy awe of God—which brings you trembling into his presence. God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him. Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves. For then you will be seen as innocent, faultless, and pure children of God, even though you live in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture. For you will appear among them as shining lights in the universe, offering them the words of eternal life. I haven’t labored among you for nothing, for your lives are the fruit of my ministry and will be my glorious boast at the unveiling of Christ!” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-16‬ ‭TPT‬

4 powerful verses from Paul. Here is what jumped out to me this morning.

1. Listen and apply feedback. “you’ve always listened to everything I’ve taught you.” >We need people in our lives who challenge us, bring different perspectives and help keep us centered on Jesus.

2. Embrace constant change. “You must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live...” >Continue to make this new life is a constant evolution of self. We must be changing and evolving and discovering “new” consistently.

3. Live in awe and wonder. “as you live in the holy awe of God—which brings you trembling into his presence. God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him.” >We find what we look for. Having an open posture and open eyes to see the glory and wonder of God will allow us to see Him daily in our lives. This act brings us into his presence with “trembling” or respect and see what he says next; He will revitalize (restore and refresh) us and give us purpose and passion in our lives.

4. Be happy and united! “Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves. For then you will be seen as innocent, faultless, and pure children of God, even though you live in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture.” >It’s easy to think our current culture, and political spectrum is the worst ever, and out of control. Wrong...history tells us clearly our world has see way worse, and we Gods people have thrived through it. With this in mind, we must be about and live for what unites us as Christ followers, not what divides us. In this unity Paul shows us and tells us we can and will be the light of the universe and shifting and positively impacting culture and leading people to Jesus.