I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Last week Mary Louise and I were at the Outer Banks. (Thanks for being our new pastor, Nate! It's nice to finally get a good vacation.)
I was sitting on the beach with my iPhone, reading news articles, thinking, "Maybe I'll write a devotion." (I know ... but creating is relaxing and rejuvenating for me.) Anyway, flicking on one last article, it covered a court case against a Midwestern governor because he cited the above verse on his social media page.
Curious question: If the courts make him take the quote off his page, is he really able to do ALL things through Christ's strength?!
Hmmm ... what does that passage really mean?
In a world of sin, scripture promises the Christians WILL be persecuted. Not every Christian all the time ... but quit thinking of big persecutions. Throughout the day, every Christian's faith is subtly tested.
That's where the strength of Christ comes in. Along with the Holy Spirit, He's there to guide us, helping us make wise and faithful decisions. He's there to support us with the courage to follow through on our convictions. He's there to encourage us when we come under attack from an unbelieving world -- from our peers in school, to the atheists dragging us to court for Bible verses on Facebook, to the church burnings and executions going on virtually every day in Africa.
· Sometimes Jesus saves us from the fire.
· Sometimes he strengthens and encourages us in the midst of the fire.
· But here's the greatest strength he offers: when we know him, truly know him, the worst that the world can do is send us to heaven one day early!!
Knowing that is the greatest strength of all.
In Christ's Love,
a guy thinks that this is what
the of helmet of salvation really means
(it guards our thoughts and guides our deeds)
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