"I am sure that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:6     

I enjoyed watching the progress on our town fire hall, from the pouring of the foundation to the placing of the last touches. I watched as they placed the statue of the fireman in full gear by the front door.     

St. Paul watched with confidence the work of the Holy Spirit in building new lives. He saw the beginning of a new life in the Philippians. By Baptism they were buried with Christ into death. By Baptism they rose with Christ to a new life.     

It is the Spirit of God alone who works faith and creates a new life in Jesus Christ. We share the joy of Paul as we witness the work of the Spirit. Paul was also confident that the Spirit would complete the work of building a new life in the Philippians. 

He builds through the Gospel as proclaimed in the Word and set forth in Holy Communion. The Spirit will not leave a half-completed work. He works to build a complete new life until Jesus Christ returns on the Last Day.     

Christian friends,  This confidence, that He is at work to complete the Christian life, brings confident joy. And this joy surpasses that of seeing  the completion of a building of steel, brick or stone.    

God sees in us a masterpiece                                                                                           That one day will be done;                                                                                                   His Spirit works in all our lives                                                                                         To make us like His Son.  

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - God loves us too much to let us stay as we are.