CAN YOU REALLY?

It is one of the most quoted verses of the Bible. It is heard in the church, has been translated in various texts, shouted in prayer, spoken in basic conversation amongst friends; oftentimes people probably mean it when they speak the words. But the words hold no meaning until some faith and action are put behind them.  Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The words remain hollow without action and without Him.

The verse itself demands action on the part of the believer. It does not say “I can have,” nor does it say “I can make, say, hope,” or any other verb. The verse says “I can do.” Doing something requires one to execute or perform, and the action is doubly qualified with the word can which is having the ability to do something. What is more gratifying about this verse is the unlimited potential of what can be done…not some things, but all things!

We choose to call upon our own power which is nothing compared to the one whose “hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all” (see 1 Chronicles 29:11-13).  Without the strength of God’s power working in our lives, we become weary, we fail, we blame others, we make excuses, and we waste time and opportunity. We get very little done.

The Good News is that our strength is to be found in Christ Jesus; the sacrificial love He showed on the cross equips us with the strength to “do all things.” We just have to believe it and know that He is able. And if there is ever any doubt in our hearts, consider the father whose son was afflicted with a spirit since childhood. This man said to Jesus, “…but if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (see Mark 9:22). Well Jesus was more than capable, and He drove the spirit out of the son. He could do something about the situation and He did. And when the disciples asked Him why they could not drive out the spirit, Jesus replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting” (see Mark 9:29).

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Do not ever say it again if there is no willingness to take action. The words are wonderful and are a heartfelt expression that we say and pray; but the words themselves are not enough to make it happen. We must take action and move, just as Jesus does whenever we call out to Him in prayer. He can, and He will! Trust in Him!

Scripture: “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23 NIV

Prayer: Father God, we call on you to give us the strength where we are weak. Many of us are longing for something in our lives, but have not had the willingness to step out on faith. We cry out to you Oh God, depending on your strength to help us turn our prayer requests into actions and deeds. Order our steps Father God, that your will may be done in our lives from this moment forward, and continue to bless us in all that we say and do for your kingdom. Because we can do all things in Jesus’ name, Amen!

Read Mark 9:14-29 for further study of Christ’s strength at work.

DON'T JUST BELIEVE IN GOD, KNOW HE IS!

The Bible teaches us about the various actions and attributes of our Heavenly Father. Scripture after scripture tells of His grace, His mercy, His love and ultimately His sacrifice. But it is up to us to believe. Yes it is a choice; and many of us pick and choose which parts to believe based on our unwillingness to let go of our fleshly desires and shortcomings. We cannot fathom a God bigger than our belief.

Take the Israelites for example.  God lead them out of Egypt to the promised land of Canaan; all the while performing miraculous signs among them. The people believed for awhile and then they would begin to grumble and complain as they continued on their journey. Despite all that God had shown them, even His glory, the people rebelled against Him creating disbelief and discord (see Numbers 14:11).  It seems as long as God gave them what they wanted, they were willing to believe in Him. 

To believe means to accept something as true, genuine or real. But believing was not enough to get the Israelites to the Promised Land. Their belief waned through trials and circumstances. Perhaps had they known God more intimately, more of them could have received the blessing that was promised (see Numbers 14:23).  But to know something means to grasp in the mind with certainty and clarity; to know is to be able to distinguish, recognize or perceive as familiar. Knowing suggests a relationship.  

Take Jesus for example. His relationship with God was rock solid and that is what He held onto throughout His journey here on earth. Whatever trials He faced, He did so with the knowledge of what was to come, but also with the knowledge of the one who sent Him (see John 1:17-18).

That is where relationship comes in… As we read scripture, talk to God in prayer, and fellowship with others in Jesus’ name; our relationship with Him becomes more intimate. It is no longer about words on a page, the law, or rules and restrictions; it is about the knowing within our spirit that God is who the Bible says He is. God’s presence and authority is familiar and we can distinguish it from everything else that exists around us. When we are in a relationship with God, we know who He is and what He is capable of; and the God of our knowledge is beyond belief!

Scripture: He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV

Prayer: Father, thank you for your grace and mercy that is in Christ Jesus. Forgive us our sins and our disbelief. Fill us with your spirit that we may get personally acquainted with you and your word. Give us an understanding of your word so that it can abide in us when we are faced with the most treacherous of circumstances and when all is well. Help us to share the gospel with others so that they may know you as we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Read Numbers 14:1-23 and John 1:1-18 for more insight.

PRAYERS FOR THE PERSECUTED

Citizenship in the United States of America guarantees certain rights to an individual; the first amendment to the constitution alone guarantees freedom of speech, the right to assemble peaceably, and the freedom of religion. Many of these freedoms we often take for granted, particularly the right to worship the God of our choosing. But what would happen if that right was not granted to us? If we did not have the freedom to worship, would we remain steadfast in our faith knowing that we could be arrested, tortured or killed? Would we carry and read the Bible if we knew it would cost us our homes or livelihood? Would we proclaim devotion to Christ at the risk of harm to our loved ones? Could we wholeheartedly show the sacrificial love that Jesus showed for us on the cross?

These are questions we need not answer because our right to worship God is protected by our government. As Americans we are truly blessed. However, there are brothers and sisters in Christ living all over the globe whose only protection comes from God Almighty and the prayers and sacrifices of those that are willing to lend a hand. People are being harassed, arrested, beaten, ostracized, tortured and killed because they love the Lord and are devoted to Christ. Reading the Bible, preaching the word of God, or passing out Christian literature is a death sentence in some remote areas of the world. Imagine arriving on Sunday for praise and worship only to find the church has been bombed and the extremists are lying in wait for more blood.  Some of our brethren are faced with that possibility every day, and yet they press on. They press on with the knowledge that Christ suffered such a fate (see John 15:18-20). Their faith is unwavering in the face of insurmountable odds and they need our prayers. 

Scripture: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

Prayer: Father God, we come before you today to pray for our brothers and sisters that are being persecuted for their devotion to you and your Word. We ask for your arm of protection to ensure their safety as they navigate hostile territory. We ask healing for the broken and bruised bodies that have suffered at the hands of those that stand against you. Please Father; comfort all who have suffered a loss in their quest to magnify your name. Give peace to those that seek retaliation, remind them that you alone are the great equalizer, and place forgiveness in their hearts. Let all who proclaim your name in the midst of opposition remain steadfast in their faith and continue to seek favor from you. And Lord please; pave the way that your Word continues to go forth. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Read the following passages to assist in praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters: John 17:14-15; Malachi 4:2; Psalm 23:4; 1 Peter 2:23; & 1 Peter 5:8-10.

BEYOND THE MAN IN THE MIRROR

God in His infinite wisdom created nothing that would reflect man’s physical appearance as it is. Dark, still waters are the closest thing to a mirror that God created; but even the slightest ripple distorts the image. In man’s quest to see himself, the reflected image was captured in polished stone and precious metal as early as 6000 B.C. The mirror, as we know it today, was first manufactured in the early 19^th century by a German chemist. Now, we not only have mirrors but digital stills, videos and a multitude of ways to see ourselves on display.

How many times a day do you look in the mirror? In the morning while preparing for the day, at the gym with the muscle man stance after a good workout, driving to work peeking in the rear view,  after lunch checking for broccoli in your teeth, or the side view that tells you if that extra slice of cheesecake made your tummy bulge... perhaps we look at our own image too many times to count.  Not to mention the digital media that has made our images available to us at our fingertips. Even if a mirror is not available…*SNAP* On a camera phone, we can see ourselves instantly. We spend so much time indulging in self and what we look like in comparison... Sadly enough, society says that it is right to do so. 

We live in a world that tells us it is okay to be self-centered, self-indulgent, self-reliant, self-sufficient, self-serving and just plain selfish. But if God had intended for us to be that way, He would have created us in our own image and not His! Although he formed us individually for His purposes (see Ephesians 1:4), collectively we are reflections of His greatness and creativity. Each soul that has ever breathed life in the history of mankind was created in the image of God. When God said that it is not good for man to be alone, He did not stick Adam in front of a mirror to indulge himself. God gave Adam a ministry and then created Eve, a companion and helpmate (see Genesis 2:18-25). We were not put here to be self serving, but to be of service to others.

The Bible teaches us from the beginning that we are created in the image of God, and continues to show us the picture perfect image of what we should look like…Christ!  Jesus is the perfect manifestation of God, and our actions and deeds should reflect His spirit and nature. We are called to serve one another humbly in love (see Galatians 5:13). So the next time you look in the mirror ask yourself, “Is this what God looks like?” If the answer is no, then maybe it is time to reflect and feed on His word until the image is more Him than you.

Scripture: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27 NIV

Prayer: Father God we call out to you humbly asking your forgiveness for our selfish desires. Free us from our flesh and fill us with the spirit that is the reflection of your loving kindness. We praise you for creating us in your image and sacrificing your only Son for our sins.  Strengthen us where we are weak and help us to be more like you as we fight against the images the world has thrust upon us…In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Read Galatians 5:13-26 to help shift the focus from self (and notice the only self mentioned is with control).