September 7, 2008

'Everything Strength'

Philippians 4:13 NLT

Good Morning!

I don't know if this is for me or for you at this point in life, but I am willing to share it excitedly, so you may grow, too!

Many of you may have heard the phrase, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'.  The New Living Translation reads, "For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need."  Easy to understand.  Easy to embrace....Him.  How have we ever gotten along without him?  Why would we want to with all we now know? 

What does this mean?  'Everything' refers to everything he has called us to do.  Will he help us if we are not following his path?  I believe he will help us do everything to get back on his path if we are not....guiding...directing our steps, as long as we have made him our Savior, our Lord.  It does say..."with the help of Christ".  He cannot help us, if we do not call upon him, and he can only do that if we have asked him into our life and are obeying him.  Anybody can say 'Jesus is Lord', but making him Lord of our life is something entirely different.  It means we turn everything over to him, giving him full reign...control...power, with love, submitting all things to him knowing that he first loved us and will give us everything we need.  That means guidance and correction, if we are not in line with the path he has set before us.  Remember, we are called for him, as well as by him.  So our path should be one that always includes us sharing who he is, that he is, and how wonderful he is with all we meet.  Why would we want to keep something so wonderful as his love from the world?  Selfishness is not a part of God's plan of love and life with him.  Selfishness cannot be a part of love for or with anybody.

How do we obtain this strength?  By asking him into our life first, and, then talking to him and listening to him and knowing that, as we step out with the peace that passes all understanding, he will always be there for us, as we need to also be there for him.  There is a song, with which I will date myself, that says 'Love is a two way street'.   And another...or part of the same...sorry....it's the date thing...don't find yourself 'walking down a lonely highway'.  When you love someone, you want to give to them and do for them.  In doing so, your love will be returned.  If it is not, you are not loved. Become one with him today, if you have not already. 

I hear some disgruntled people saying that the Lord must not love you, because no matter what you are doing, nothing seems to be going right.  I ask you, 'right by who's standards'?  Perhaps God is helping to get you on the path that leads to allowing you to walk beside him.  He knows that is where you will truly find fulfillment and your hearts desire.  Full to overflowing.  It is where you will find strength.  By his side...with him in front and behind you....surrounding you.  

When you were a baby, you were not expected to have a college degree coming out of the womb.  And yet, at whatever age we are, we expect fulfillment and attainment immediately.  Why do we expect so much RIGHT NOW?  We are not in line with God's desires.  Does this mean we cannot have everything we want?  Possibly...if it takes us or keeps us further from God.  Again, God's goal is to put our focus and keep it on our Lord.  He knows that by doing so, we will no longer be selfish, we will find real, true, abiding love with him and others around us as we share the Gospel message that he lives, he can live in us, and we can have our hearts desire.

So wherein lies this strength thing?  In Christ.  Did you feel that circle?  You can do all things...everything...through (he has to be in you to go through) Christ... with the help of Christ...who strengthens...gives the strength needed.  

Jesus said, "My gracious favor is all you need.  My power works best in your weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT.  He doesn't want us weak, but in our weakness, we, if we have asked him into our lives and we are obeying him, as the 'promise children', can call upon the strength of his power...the power of his strength to do all things, everything.  'In him, with him, through him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is his [not ours], Almighty God, now and forever.'  Amen.

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Let Us Pray

Dear Heavenly Father God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, I just praise you and thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in your image.  Please help me to now live up to that image by worshiping you, adoring you and learning all I can about who you are, that you are and how wonderful you are, by going to your word...the New Testament.  To 'see you more clearly, follow you more nearly, love you more dearly....day by day'.  I want, Lord, to love you full to overflowing.  Not so that you will give me all I want.  But so that I can give you all you want... and need.  I do know that it seems manipulative because I know that in giving you what you want, you will give me what I need.  But you WILL give me what I NEED.  Not necessarily what I want.  It is the moments that you give me what I want that I see the gift you are.  Help me better see the wonderful gift you are to me and all that you've done for me in the everyday moments of my needs being met, so that I am not selfish, not manipulative, merely deeply filled with gratitude for my life...my breath...the waking to each new day...the people you will bring into my life, so I can share...you...your heart.  Your 'everything strength'.  And forgive me, Lord, for those moments I am not everything you need me to be.  Help me to feel sorrow for those moments because I know they hurt you...and I don't want to hurt you...or anyone.  And I don't want to hurt either, Lord.  So come into my life, please...fully...full to overflowing with your Holy Spirit.  And, thank you, Lord. Thank you so very much.  I love you.  Amen.

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Psalm 96

NLT

Sing a new song to the LORD!  Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!

Sing to the LORD; bless his name.  Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.  Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

Great is the LORD!  He is most worthy of praise!  He is to be revered above all the gods.

The gods of other nations are merely idols, but the LORD made the heavens!

Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

O nations of the world, recognize the LORD; recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.

Give to the LORD the glory he deserves!  Bring your offering and come to worship him.

Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor.  Let all the earth tremble before him. 

Tell all the nations that the LORD is king.  The world is firmly established and cannot be shaken.  He will judge all peoples fairly.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice!  Let the sea and everthing in it shout his praise!  Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy!  Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the LORD!

For the LORD is coming!  He is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness and all the nations with his truth.

Alleluia!

 Amen! 

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