The Loop

 

 

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

 

Do you ever get a song stuck in your head?  For weeks now, my life has been a series of deadlines and stressful events.  All the while, the lyrics of Matthew West's "Strong Enough" continued to resound in my heart and head: " I can do all things through Christ who give me strength and I don't have to be strong enough..."  It was like a constant loop.

Sometimes when a song is stuck in my head, it is one I despise and I get so sick of hearing it.  Not this time!  It is like the Lord was singing it as encouragement over me.  I was not equal to the tasks that lay before me.  All of it was bigger, more stressful and entirely more complicated that I could do within myself.  But over and over again, I noticed him giving me the grace, prompting me to take this step here, delete this practice there, and the next thing you know, I was done!  I had met all of my deadlines- and with a reasonable amount of success.

Why do we ever try to tackle the demands of this life in our own strength?  Perhaps every generation has felt this way, but I personally feel that as time is winding down and the soon return of Christ is imminent, times are simply getting harder.  It seems more people are sick; hurting; depressed; oppressed and overwhelmed. Some of it is because of the crazy, hectic schedules we keep.  But I am also convinced that as the days become more evil, life is just more difficult to live.

As we "occupy until He comes" we are going to have to draw upon his grace and strength to live in victory through these perilous days.  Does it look impossible?  Is it harder and more difficult than you have the strength to endure?  Be encouraged.  You can do all He wants you to...  In His strength.  You do not have to be strong enough!

Dear Lord, help me to learn how to cast my care on you.  Show me when I am operating in my own strength and help me to draw instead on your strength.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Sherri

He is Greater

 

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." I John 4:1-4

 

 This is one of my go-to verses.  Obviously, I have faced a few things in my life that I felt I needed to overcome.  When life is overwhelming, when it is out of control and doesn’t make sense, isn’t reassuring to know that God has already overcome the world?  But isn’t it even more empowering to know that He is living on the inside of you, giving you all you need to overcome whatever it is that is trying to overcome you?!

 

There is neither demon in hell, nor imp of the enemy that is able to overcome you when you are in the hand of Almighty God.  He is before all things, above all things and in all things.  He is so great, so awesome, that the world is his footstool.  There is not anything that he does not know, does not understand, and does not have an answer for.  He is never at a loss, never confused or never afraid.  And he has your best interest at heart.  Thank God for his loving-kindness toward us! 

 No matter what lies or accusations are leveled against us, we can overcome it!  No matter what the doctor or the checkbook says, God is greater than those realities.  He is in us, we are in him; we are overcomers! We do not have to gnaw our fingernails, pull our hair out or wring our hands.  We do not have to hang our heads low or fear our future.  We are overcomers!  No matter what comes at you, you can come over.  (This is all rather reminiscent of my cheerleading days, but still it is true and something to get excited about.)

 

Times are hard, life is frightening, but we do not have to be led by it or be intimidated by it. Sometimes we have to give ourselves a pep talk and do as David did- encourage ourselves in the Lord!

 

 

Dear Lord, thank you for the work you did at Calvary where you defeated the enemy and became an overcomer and victor in all things.  Thank you for allowing us to share in the overcoming inheritance.   In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

Sherri