“WHAT A GREAT VERSE OF SCRIPTURE TO CLAIM!” That’s what I said to my brother as I talked with him about his struggle with cancer. He said, “I quote it every day. It sustains me.” What verse? Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It’s his “life” verse.
It’s a great verse because in context it speaks of learning and practicing the secret of contentment—whether we have much or are destitute. Our mighty God is the Source of our ability to cope with whatever He permits to come our way. If we have an overabundance of things, they may cause us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. We can be sure that the Lord will give us the strength to recognize that and to make the necessary adjustments.
On the other hand, if we lack the basic necessities of life, He will provide for us, or as in the case of those who suffer declining health, we can be sure that God’s power will be available to us so that we can endure whatever hardship gains entrance to our life. The more we tap into His power, the more strength will be ours.
The Lord often allows difficulties to come into our lives that we may more fully rest in His grace. At such times there may be a terrific battle against fear and doubt. That’s when we can fall back upon God’s eternal love and promises such as the one above and trust Him though we cannot always trace His hand.
If your heart is often troubled
And you wonder what to do,
Just look up and simply trust Him,
For He’ll surely take you through!
Peace rules the day when Christ rules the heart.
It’s a great verse because in context it speaks of learning and practicing the secret of contentment—whether we have much or are destitute. Our mighty God is the Source of our ability to cope with whatever He permits to come our way. If we have an overabundance of things, they may cause us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. We can be sure that the Lord will give us the strength to recognize that and to make the necessary adjustments.
On the other hand, if we lack the basic necessities of life, He will provide for us, or as in the case of those who suffer declining health, we can be sure that God’s power will be available to us so that we can endure whatever hardship gains entrance to our life. The more we tap into His power, the more strength will be ours.
The Lord often allows difficulties to come into our lives that we may more fully rest in His grace. At such times there may be a terrific battle against fear and doubt. That’s when we can fall back upon God’s eternal love and promises such as the one above and trust Him though we cannot always trace His hand.
If your heart is often troubled
And you wonder what to do,
Just look up and simply trust Him,
For He’ll surely take you through!
Peace rules the day when Christ rules the heart.
posted by kazookid | 10:15 AM
2 Comments:
Bruce,
It has been a long time since we had met way back in my days at IWU in the early 90's. Anyway, in a sermon you wrote:
The Power of One
Bruce Howell 160 Bruce Howell sermons
Topic: #851 of 1786 for Sermons on Christian Disciplines
Scripture: John 12:24-12:27
Denomination: Wesleyan
Date Added: August 2003
Audience: Believer Adults (31 - 49)
Keywords: none (Suggest a Keyword)
You spoke of an article you read on the power of one in the introduction. We are doing a series on the power of one and I was wondering if you had the article or knew where you got it so I could get the article. It looks like it woudl be good grist for my sermons. THANKS!
This was the only way I found to be able to contact you.
John W. Baker
Oakdale Wesleyan Church
Bruce,
It has been a long time since we had met way back in my days at IWU in the early 90's. Anyway, in a sermon you wrote:
The Power of One
Bruce Howell 160 Bruce Howell sermons
Topic: #851 of 1786 for Sermons on Christian Disciplines
Scripture: John 12:24-12:27
Denomination: Wesleyan
Date Added: August 2003
Audience: Believer Adults (31 - 49)
Keywords: none (Suggest a Keyword)
You spoke of an article you read on "the power of one" in the introduction. We are doing a series on the power of one and I was wondering if you had the article or knew where you got it so I could get the article. It looks like it would be good grist for my sermons. THANKS!
THis was the only way I was able to find contact information on you. Sorry for posting this in your blog. You can send a note back to me at pastorjohn@oakdalechurch.org
John W. Baker
Oakdale Wesleyan Church
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