Strength

March 13th – 1 Corinthians 10:13

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1 Corinthians 10:13

Evangelist Billy Sunday once said, “Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in.” Temptations are everywhere, and not even the strongest Christian is immune to their pull. But thankfully we have the blessing of knowing that God will never let Satan tempt us beyond our ability to resist. And by turning to Him when we are at our weakest, we can resist any enticement. Through prayer we can ask God for strength and wisdom. By studying His Word we can gain God’s insight to help us overcome. And through the mighty power of His Spirit living inside of us, we can discern right from wrong. We serve a God who knows firsthand the temptation of sin. So when when Satan is enchanting us to wickedness, by turning to God and fellow believers we can turn aside from sin. And we can be victorious, living a life that is pleasing to God.

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December 7th – John 13:35

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John 13:35

As one of His last acts before His sacrifice on the Cross, the Lord performed a task usually reserved for the lowest slaves in the house. He knelt and began to cleanse the feet of the disciples. Such an expression of self sacrifice, Jesus did as an example of humble love. Throughout His life on earth, everything Jesus did He did in love. And He made it perfectly clear that we are to do the same. But such a calling isn’t easy. For undoubtedly as soon as you make a commitment to love others, along a person will come as a test to your resolve. But the goal of the Christian walk is to become transformed into the image of Christ. And God never calls us to go it alone, nor to do what He asks in our own strength. Our strength comes from the power of the Holy Spirt. And through His power we can walk like Jesus and serve others joyfully and humbly. Our strength comes from the power of the Holy Spirt. And through His power we walk like Jesus and serve others joyfully and humbly.

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December 5th – Habakkuk 3:19

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Habakkuk 3:19

It’s easy to have a deep and obedient faith when God answers our prayers exactly the way we want. But what about when He doesn’t? The prophet Habakkuk cried out to God to deal with the wickedness of Judah. But when God’s answer was the nation’s destruction, Habakkuk couldn’t understand the Lord’s reasoning. Have you ever felt like that? Unable to understand why God’s answer to your prayer would involve suffering? In Isaiah 55:8-9 we are told that the thoughts and ways of God are higher than our human brains can comprehend. So even if we don’t understand His methods, we can trust that God uses all things for our good. (Rom. 8:28) That’s what faith is all about! Trusting that even though this life is filled with trials and suffering, and we don’t have all the answers, we can still praise God. For He is our strength and our joy. And in His perfect love will never let us falter, carrying our feet to high places of safety!

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December 1st – Psalm 6:2

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Psalm 6:2

One of the things I love most about the Psalms is the way they convey the hurts, joys, hopes, and sorrows of every Christian. And in Psalm 6, the pain David feels resonates deep inside my heart. Because I too know the anguish of sinning against God. The brokenness of realizing what a mess I’ve made, and the despair of the consequences that are sure to follow. Like David, I have felt the wretchedness that comes from disobedience to God. How the shame literally manifests into physical pain, from deep in my heart to deep in my bones. But also like David, I trust in the mercy, promises, and love of God. I know that even though I’m not, God is good all of the time. The Lord knows my heart. And when I come bowed before Him in humility, He sees my sorrow. And in my repentance, He graciously welcomes me back to a place I don’t deserve; into His loving arms. Restoring me with all joy and peace, and abounding me in hope! (Rom. 15:13)

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October 29th – 1 Peter 5:10

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1 Peter 5:10

God’s Promise – “I have called you to My eternal glory in Jesus Christ.”

Peter makes it clear that there are no ifs, ands, or buts. As long as we are here on this earth, we will experience suffering. While Christians aren’t immune to trials and pain, we can find peace knowing God is always in control. And from His unending grace, our loving Father never lets us suffer in vain. For there is always a purpose for our pain, with no storm lasting longer than God allows. About suffering pastor Paul Chappell says, “Suffering is painful for us to endure or to see those we love endure. While our instinct is to flee trials, remember that even in the midst of suffering, God’s will is being done.” Although we must suffer a little while, one day soon God will call us home. And never again will we know anything but joy, gladness, and peace. But until that glorious day we can trust that with each trial, God establishes, strengthens, perfects, and matures us. Walking side by side with His children until they dwell with Him in eternity!

 

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September 17th – Ezekiel 3:9

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Ezekiel 3:9

In times of old, watchmen were placed on city walls and in towers overlooking fields. Always at their post, these watchmen were ready to sound the warning bell when danger was near. God called the prophet Ezekiel to be a watchman for the unrepentant house of Israel. A call He gives to us as well. We are to be on constant guard, blowing the trumpet of warning to an unrepentant world. Cautioning all about the danger of rejecting God’s gift of salvation, choosing instead to live in rebellion and disobedience. Not a popular message in today’s society of “if it feels good, do it!” But a message desperately needed all the same. God gave Ezekiel strength harder than flint to see His will done, and the courage to deliver His message. And when we walk in obedience, God will do the same for us. Because the Lord never asks anything of anyone without providing the means to accomplish the task at hand!

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August 17th – 1 Peter 4:4

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1 Peter 4:4

There are some people that no matter how hard we try to convince them, will never accept our change as a person. Especially when that change comes from receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior. That’s because those who aren’t  followers of Jesus can’t understand why we would want to lead our life for anyone other than ourselves. And so they pressure us to go back to our sinful, worldly ways of the past. To be who we used to be. And when we don’t, we become targets of their resentment and ridicule. But Peter tells us that those same unbelievers, “will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (1 Pet. 4:5) Until the day when we stand before the Lord, Jesus calls us to stay strong in His Word. And to respond to those who persecute us, the same way Jesus responded to His persecutors, in kindness and love.

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June 18th – John 14:26

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John 14:26

Our Father knows all too well how frail we are. He understands that there is no way we can do what He asks of us on our own. And so He sent a Helper in the form of His Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit not only gives us the strength to do all the Lord commands, but from the moment He indwells in us He gets to work. What is His work? To change us from the inside out into the likeness of Jesus. The Holy Spirit  is God with us in all things. He convicts us of our sins, and assures us of God’s forgiveness. His help is essential in leading lives that are pleasing to our Father. And most wonderful of all, He puts upon us a seal for the day of redemption.(Eph. 4:30).  That means not only is the Spirit sent to help, comfort, and guide us, He is also God’s seal on us marking us as God’s very own!

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June 9th – Isaiah 40:31

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Isaiah 40:31

Each day is filled with its own challenges. And it doesn’t take much for those challenges to overwhelm us. But for those who wait on the Lord, help is at hand. Because when we turn to Him in our times of need, God is there. He is there to strengthen, renew, and carry us through. Our Father in heaven will never forsake us, nor leave us to fight our battle alone. Isaiah compares God’s loving care to that of an eagle. Mighty warriors who protect their young, eagles carry their eaglets away from danger. They soar high above the clouds where the sun shines and no storm rages. And just like that eagle, God carries us on His wings providing all we need to soar through even the toughest of times. No matter what we face, God promises to those whom He loves, strength to run without tiring, and walking without growing weary.

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May 9th – Philippians 4:13

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Philippians 4:13

Author Nishan Panwar once wrote, “Change is hard. You fight to hold on. You fight to let go. But in the end, we all know. Change is needed for you to grow.” As Christians we know the goal is growing to become more like Jesus. But who is a fan of the growing pains it brings? That’s why through the ebbs and flows of life, we need to take on the attitude of Paul. Paul faced hardship and persecution, good times and bad. Yet through it all, the one thing that remained constant was Paul’s contentment. Both in times of plenty and in famine, the apostle leaned on the strength of the Lord to navigate him through. And just like Paul, no matter the circumstance, we too have that same Christ given strength inside of us. Giving us the power to find contentment, whatever comes our way.

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