Episode 42

Do you remember the declaration from last week’s episode of the Believe & Speak podcast? It was a good one! If you missed it, go back and review Episode 41. Last week’s declaration started with “I can.” As you know, the word “can” refers to an ability. This week continues with a similar assurance of your abilities—abilities you have because of the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ.

Picture yourself as a jar that begins each day empty. You need to be filled before you can pour anything out. Right? Nothing comes out of an empty jar. So, where do you go to be filled? What will you allow into your jar? Because what goes in will come out at some point.

Paul prayed that the Philippians’ love would overflow more and more, that they would keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. He wanted them to understand what really mattered. Why? Phil. 1:10 says so that they could live pure and blameless lives. Wait! What? They could live pure and blameless lives NOT because of what they did, but because of what they understood. Paul knew that if they were filled with the fruit of righteousness they would overflow with love.

When we understand what Jesus did for us and what he offers to us through the Holy Spirit, we absolutely can live pure and blameless lives. Love flows out of those who are pure and blameless because their jars are filled to overflowing with the love of God.

Longing to Belong: Discovering the Joy of Acceptance is now available for purchase on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Walmart.com, Booksamillion.com and Christianbook.com. It’s also available for download to your Kindle or from the Apple store for your iBooks app. Or visit my website to purchase a copy at shawnamariebryant.com

This week’s scripture: Philippians 1:3–11