Power of 10 - Day 7
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
The POWER of 10
Day 7 | STRENGTH: THE SOURCE AND THE WHY
The POWER of 10
Day 7 | STRENGTH: THE SOURCE AND THE WHY
STRENGTH: THE SOURCE AND THE WHY
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I don’t recall ever wanting or needing MORE strength when we were children. It seemed we all could quickly run, climb, hike, play ball, or whatever came our way.
But then, as time passes, we grow into adulthood and start discovering – one by one – how our old abilities have grown a little staler, a little more limited, and, in some cases, dormant.
Enter today’s verse.
The human author Paul is encouraging the church by what he has discovered… that the Lord – Christ – can and has provided him all the STRENGTH he has required on many occasions.
What does that mean exactly?
By reading this verse in context (always helpful), we learn that Paul learned to be CONTENT in all situations. And that in those situations, the LORD provided him a STRENGTH that probably confounded his enemies and surprised his friends.
Something Jesus said also comes to mind – from John 15:5 – “for without Me you can do nothing.”
Thus, we can do all things WITH Him because of the strength He offers, and without Him, we can’t.
But note this: this applies to us doing what the LORD’s will for us. You can’t just use this for something YOU want to do but haven’t asked the LORD about, perhaps for fear of the answer?
A stupid example might be: you want to rob a bank. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Sorry, that won’t work.
The Amplified Bible says Philippians 4:13 this way (in MORE than ten words): “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”
Prayer: LORD, thank You for offering me the strength I need, when I need it, to do what You want me to do. You are indeed my Source. Amen.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I don’t recall ever wanting or needing MORE strength when we were children. It seemed we all could quickly run, climb, hike, play ball, or whatever came our way.
But then, as time passes, we grow into adulthood and start discovering – one by one – how our old abilities have grown a little staler, a little more limited, and, in some cases, dormant.
Enter today’s verse.
The human author Paul is encouraging the church by what he has discovered… that the Lord – Christ – can and has provided him all the STRENGTH he has required on many occasions.
What does that mean exactly?
By reading this verse in context (always helpful), we learn that Paul learned to be CONTENT in all situations. And that in those situations, the LORD provided him a STRENGTH that probably confounded his enemies and surprised his friends.
Something Jesus said also comes to mind – from John 15:5 – “for without Me you can do nothing.”
Thus, we can do all things WITH Him because of the strength He offers, and without Him, we can’t.
But note this: this applies to us doing what the LORD’s will for us. You can’t just use this for something YOU want to do but haven’t asked the LORD about, perhaps for fear of the answer?
A stupid example might be: you want to rob a bank. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Sorry, that won’t work.
The Amplified Bible says Philippians 4:13 this way (in MORE than ten words): “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”
Prayer: LORD, thank You for offering me the strength I need, when I need it, to do what You want me to do. You are indeed my Source. Amen.
Posted in Power of 10