Devotional for Tuesday April 19th

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Effective prayer”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

 

Our thought for today: “There’s nothing you’re facing that Christ cannot and will not empower you to handle.”

 

As is true for all of us, I have some things going on in my life that I wish weren’t there. And some of them seem to drag on endlessly and defy resolution. I know, I know, welcome to the club. It’s just life and we all have issues.

 

This morning in my personal Bible study I was reading the book of Philippians and I came to that great passage in Philippians chapter four where Paul wrote,

 

“… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

 

I would like to claim that I, like Paul, have learned to be content in all circumstances but in truth, I’m still working on it. Not there yet. Not even close, but working on it.

 

Although I have read that passage countless times over the years, and have been inspired by it every time, this time, with respect to the subject of effective prayer, verse 13 seemed to leap off the page at me. There’s nothing I’m facing that Christ cannot and will not empower me to handle. That’s true for you too.

 

Your circumstances could be tough, maybe very tough. There could be sickness (yours or a loved one’s); there could be financial pressures; you may have frustrations on the job and difficulties with co-workers; you may be suffering the agony of a wayward child; your neighbors could be the Adam’s Family on one side and Freddy Krueger on the other; you could be faced with multiple problems that seem to defy explanation or solution and which drag on endlessly; but one thing we know for sure is that Christ can and will empower you to deal with those issues and any others you are facing.

 

So take that understanding with you into your time of prayer. Claim Philippians 4:13 as a promise from God to you and ask Jesus to make it real in your life now. You may not suddenly receive magical insights which will lead to quick resolutions of all your most vexing problems, but you will receive the strength and hope you need in order to deal with them today. Then go back to Him tomorrow and claim that promise all over again.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim