Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
This verse in Philippians is one that I memorized early on as a Christian. Much of my life has been an attempt at the first part of the verse without incorporating the second part. When it comes to marriage struggles, parenting difficulties, and trying to accomplish something, I will try to accomplish all things, on my own strength. And many times I fail miserably. When I call on my own self-reliance it usually turns into a hit and miss kind of proposition. Oh, sometimes I might get it right, but generally I end up picking up pieces that wouldn't have been there had I done it through Christ.
Being strengthened by Christ is a daily process. Just as a student studies his school books to strengthen his mind or a body builder lifts weights to strengthen his muscles, we are to daily walk in Christ to accomplish all things, according to His will and purpose, in His strength.
Blessings to you as you walk daily in Christ.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
It Is All Accomplished Through Him
Eph 1:15-20 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Paul reminds the Ephesians, and us today, that committing to prayer is vital. Even in his circumstances (Eph 3:1) he looks outside of himself and commits to keep the people of Ephesus in his prayers. He begins by acknowledging their faith in Christ and their love for one another. This is the foundation of our Christian faith. Loving, (or desiring) God and loving one another. (See Luke 10:27) Paul prays that the Father of Glory give them the spirit of wisdom and knowledge of the revelation of Him.
His prayer is that they will have the "eyes of their heart" opened to the riches of the glory of Christ. Hope, Glory, and Power. The hope of His calling, the riches of His glory, and the greatness of His power. To open the eyes of the heart is to be given the spirit of wisdom. The eye is a member of the body which allows us to see. Paul is encouraging them to "see" with their heart. John Gill: By the Spirit of God already, to see the exceeding sinfulness of sin; the insufficiency of their own righteousness; the beauty, glory, fullness, and suitableness of Christ, as a Saviour; the excellency, truth, and usefulness of the doctrines of the Gospel; in which their understandings were before dark, but now had light into them:
The work of salvation is not something we do on our own. All of God's work is done by His strength and not our own. It is His work done by His power and His strength brought about through His son Jesus Christ. The all sufficiency of God is primary for the believer's walk with Him and Paul expresses the power of God by reminding them of the power He displayed in the raising of Christ from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in heavenly places.
All of the strength that we need to accomplish His will in our life every day is given to us by the power of God. Be praise and glory to Him.
Paul reminds the Ephesians, and us today, that committing to prayer is vital. Even in his circumstances (Eph 3:1) he looks outside of himself and commits to keep the people of Ephesus in his prayers. He begins by acknowledging their faith in Christ and their love for one another. This is the foundation of our Christian faith. Loving, (or desiring) God and loving one another. (See Luke 10:27) Paul prays that the Father of Glory give them the spirit of wisdom and knowledge of the revelation of Him.
His prayer is that they will have the "eyes of their heart" opened to the riches of the glory of Christ. Hope, Glory, and Power. The hope of His calling, the riches of His glory, and the greatness of His power. To open the eyes of the heart is to be given the spirit of wisdom. The eye is a member of the body which allows us to see. Paul is encouraging them to "see" with their heart. John Gill: By the Spirit of God already, to see the exceeding sinfulness of sin; the insufficiency of their own righteousness; the beauty, glory, fullness, and suitableness of Christ, as a Saviour; the excellency, truth, and usefulness of the doctrines of the Gospel; in which their understandings were before dark, but now had light into them:
The work of salvation is not something we do on our own. All of God's work is done by His strength and not our own. It is His work done by His power and His strength brought about through His son Jesus Christ. The all sufficiency of God is primary for the believer's walk with Him and Paul expresses the power of God by reminding them of the power He displayed in the raising of Christ from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in heavenly places.
All of the strength that we need to accomplish His will in our life every day is given to us by the power of God. Be praise and glory to Him.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Whom do you desire?
Psa 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. (nasb)
Whom have I in heaven but you? How many times have you heard someone tell you that they look forward to meeting a loved one who has passed on in heaven? I have many people I have lost in my life that I look forward to the day that we will see each other again, face to face. There will be great joy. But as I meditated on this verse today the thought came to me, "how many times have I said to someone, I can't wait to see God in heaven?" I know I have said it a time or two, but I must confess, my thoughts generally gravitate towards the 'things' about heaven rather than the God of heaven. A mansion filled with many rooms, streets paved with gold, no more hunger and pain, happiness and joy abounding. These are all good things, but if they were all that heaven was about and Jesus wasn't there, would I still desire to go there?
Jesus is the focal point of the Christian faith but it seems over the past few decades 'things" have been taking His place. Preachers and teachers telling us that we will be blessed by God if we follow His ways. That we just need more faith and things will turn out good. Our focus becomes more on how to get good gifts rather than worshiping a good and loving Gift Giver. How much do I desire Jesus rather than the blessings Jesus affords me. Without the blessings of God would I still desire him? These are questions I am meditating on today and my first response is to say, 'Well yes, of course."
But as I dig a little deeper into my heart I begin to see how there are many things I desire here on this earth besides Him. Convenience, comfort, money, position, human companionship, and the list goes on. If I had it all stripped away from me, such as Job did, would I still be able to say "Lord, there is still nothing I desire besides you?" I certainly hope so.
Lord I want to desire you more than any earthly thing.
Whom have I in heaven but you? How many times have you heard someone tell you that they look forward to meeting a loved one who has passed on in heaven? I have many people I have lost in my life that I look forward to the day that we will see each other again, face to face. There will be great joy. But as I meditated on this verse today the thought came to me, "how many times have I said to someone, I can't wait to see God in heaven?" I know I have said it a time or two, but I must confess, my thoughts generally gravitate towards the 'things' about heaven rather than the God of heaven. A mansion filled with many rooms, streets paved with gold, no more hunger and pain, happiness and joy abounding. These are all good things, but if they were all that heaven was about and Jesus wasn't there, would I still desire to go there?
Jesus is the focal point of the Christian faith but it seems over the past few decades 'things" have been taking His place. Preachers and teachers telling us that we will be blessed by God if we follow His ways. That we just need more faith and things will turn out good. Our focus becomes more on how to get good gifts rather than worshiping a good and loving Gift Giver. How much do I desire Jesus rather than the blessings Jesus affords me. Without the blessings of God would I still desire him? These are questions I am meditating on today and my first response is to say, 'Well yes, of course."
But as I dig a little deeper into my heart I begin to see how there are many things I desire here on this earth besides Him. Convenience, comfort, money, position, human companionship, and the list goes on. If I had it all stripped away from me, such as Job did, would I still be able to say "Lord, there is still nothing I desire besides you?" I certainly hope so.
Lord I want to desire you more than any earthly thing.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Love By Deed and Truth
1 John 3:16-18 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
Today Lori, Grayson and I went for a walk with the dogs to the local park and while we were walking we encountered a homeless couple washing their clothes in the drinking fountain and hanging them on a nearby tree to dry. The weather was a bit inclement so I made a comment to Lori that we should invite them over to do laundry at our house.
As we walked along our merry way we kept discussing the struggle it must be to live such a life in a country that is full of extreme excess and have nothing but the clothes you can carry in a paper bag. We all go through difficult times at one point or another in this life and those difficulties can really bring us down. But we have hope. We have a Savior who gives us the assurance that there is a place free from pain and suffering. A time when we will kneel at the feet of our Lord and be free from guilt, shame, pain, and loss.
Jesus doesn't promise us an easy life here on earth. Actually, the Bible is full of stories of struggle and pain. It does however give us hope. We know that we have a God who loves us and gave himself for us so that we can spend eternity with him. No matter what the difficulty, whether it be financial, emotional, or physical, we are reminded in Romans that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Rom 8:18)
Lord I pray for the couple today that we saw washing their clothes in a drinking fountain. I know that there are millions more across the globe just like them and I ask that you reveal yourself to them and put people into their lives that can bring them hope. You tell us who have to share with those who don't and I pray for more opportunities to share your love with others. Thank you for blessing me and my family so richly.
(revised)
Today Lori, Grayson and I went for a walk with the dogs to the local park and while we were walking we encountered a homeless couple washing their clothes in the drinking fountain and hanging them on a nearby tree to dry. The weather was a bit inclement so I made a comment to Lori that we should invite them over to do laundry at our house.
As we walked along our merry way we kept discussing the struggle it must be to live such a life in a country that is full of extreme excess and have nothing but the clothes you can carry in a paper bag. We all go through difficult times at one point or another in this life and those difficulties can really bring us down. But we have hope. We have a Savior who gives us the assurance that there is a place free from pain and suffering. A time when we will kneel at the feet of our Lord and be free from guilt, shame, pain, and loss.
Jesus doesn't promise us an easy life here on earth. Actually, the Bible is full of stories of struggle and pain. It does however give us hope. We know that we have a God who loves us and gave himself for us so that we can spend eternity with him. No matter what the difficulty, whether it be financial, emotional, or physical, we are reminded in Romans that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Rom 8:18)
Lord I pray for the couple today that we saw washing their clothes in a drinking fountain. I know that there are millions more across the globe just like them and I ask that you reveal yourself to them and put people into their lives that can bring them hope. You tell us who have to share with those who don't and I pray for more opportunities to share your love with others. Thank you for blessing me and my family so richly.
(revised)
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