April 15 – Really, We Can

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

For some this may be a very familiar verse. In fact many lean on this verse for help in many things. However, to understand the truth, we need to know that this verse has nothing to do with: winning at sports, career goals, being a title-holder, increased self-esteem.  This verse has to do with endurance and contentment in all circumstances and outcomes. Whether in the midst of suffering or in the heat of life’s battles, Paul affirms that God is his source of strength to not despair but to be faithfully content. Having experienced both the lows and the highs in serving God’s will (v. 12), Paul knew the secret of facing any and all circumstances, enduring times of abundance and need. He can do this and face all things God allows to come his way. This is the promise Paul had and that we have also. What he is saying is “I have the ability to deal with any kind of material circumstance because of my spiritual strength.” This includes any kind of trial that brings suffering, any kind of want that stretches our faith. Abundance or need results in our contentment because of God’s Strength. 

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January 29 – All Means All

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NASB)

Today's verse may be one that is very familiar to you or maybe you have not heard it before this. This is from the letter Paul wrote to the gathering of believers in Philippi, a city in eastern Macedonia. Paul's confession in this statement, although short, covers a lot of situations in his life. The apostle Paul had learned that He could not get by on his own abilities. He had learned where to look for strength to carry on. He was in prison for preaching the Gospel, and it was very difficult. We notice that Paul did not say in our verse that he needed help only for difficult situations that faced him, but for all the things in his life. He depended on God for strength for everything, the little things as well as the big ones. The things he did not want done to him and the things he did want to do for God. So it is with us. We need God's help in all things, in all situations. This help is available to us and we can claim the promise that in all things, we can do what we need to do through Him because it is His strength in us.  

April 25 – For All, No Matter Who, No Matter What

“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,” Romans 10:12

Our God is a rich God. He is the One who made the universe and is in control of His creation. When we accept His Son Jesus as our Savior we become a part of God’s family regardless of our ethnic or racial background . We are thrilled with the reminder in our verse today of the way God blesses all of us, no matter who we are, when we turn to Him for help.  We read God blessing in our dialing lives and our verse reminds us that God blesses richly.  Just think of what this means. God doesn’t just bless a little here and a little there. He takes care of our needs and supplied abundantly. If we stop and think of how our God treats us we realize that He blesses so much it runs over.