One way that I grow deeper in my faith is when I take a section of scripture and consider how it may connect with a current season of life or situation I am encountering. I spent the past week with over 120 children and over 65 youth and adult leaders at Vacation Bible School. Yesterday morning, as I reflected on the week and all that God had been doing, I read this passage from Paul's letter to the Philippians. These are words I would share with all who joined us last week during VBS. It was a week of planting seeds and seeing the fruit from many years of faith experiences. 
 

I would also invite you to see how these words connect with your current season or situation.

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days.

Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does! --Philippians 1:3-8 The Message

Gracious God, May you open our hearts so that your love will flourish and that we will not only love much but well. Help us to learn to love appropriately. Guide us on the path to a life filled with fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. In Christ's Name, Amen.

(inspired by Philippians 1:9-11 The Message)