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April: 4,
11, 18, 25
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.....High
blood pressure is sometimes referred to by doctors as
"the silent killer." It is referred to in
this way because people often do not even know that
they have high blood pressure until it has already done
its damage. This is not an article about high blood
though, but instead, about another silent killer condemned
in the Scriptures -- "bitterness." Bitterness
might be called the real silent killer. Like high blood
pressure, bitterness may go unnoticed by others, and
sometimes, the person who has bitterness may not fully
realize it. Thus, it is important for us to "put
on the cuff" from time to time and check our "bitterness
level."
.....We
speak of something being literally bitter when it has
a sharp or unpleasant taste. Mentally, however, bitterness
is an ongoing pain, hurt, and mental anguish which is
felt by people due to past events or circumstances.
Bitterness has been called "resentment which has
been held on to." It is resentment which has become
rancid and rotten. It has also been said that "bitterness
is loss frozen in resentment." Bitterness grows
out of our refusal to let go when someone or something
is taken from us. People get hurt because of difficult
circumstances, events, or other people; they hold on
to that hurt, and it turns into bitterness.
.....Naomi,
from the Old Testament, serves as an example of a person
who became bitter due to various setbacks in life. In
the book of Ruth, we learn that Naomi, along with her
husband and two sons, went to Moab to live because of
a famine in Judah. Her sons married two women -- Orpah
and Ruth. In the course of time, her husband died, and
then her two sons died. Naomi's losses made her bitter.
She said, "...Call me not Naomi, call me Mara:
for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I
went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again
empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath
testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted
me" (1:13, 20-21). The name Naomi signifies "pleasant"
or "amiable"; the name Mara, which she wanted
to be called, signifies "bitter." Note above
the number of times that she blamed God for her misfortunes.
Naomi allowed her losses to cause her to become bitter.
Often, people allow difficult circumstances to cause
them to become bitter today against others and, sometimes,
even against God.
.....Hannah
is another Old Testament example of bitterness. She
was married to Elkanah who had another wife besides
her. Hannah was unable to bear a child and was very
sad as a result. Also, Elkanah's other wife was able
to bear children, which seemed to cause resentment between
the two women. Although Elkanah treated Hannah very
well and loved her dearly, she was deeply grieved. Her
husband could not console her. According to I Samuel
1:10, she was in "bitterness of soul." This
is another example of the circumstances of life causing
bitterness. To Hannah's credit, however, she turned
to the Lord during this very difficult time. She asked
God for a child, which she would give to the Lord, and
God granted her request.
.....Hebrews
12:15 is one of several New Testament passages which
warns against bitterness. It says, "Looking diligently
lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root
of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby
many be defiled." A "root of bitterness,"
like the root of a tree, can be below the surface and
not detectable by others. Eventually, it will show itself,
producing the fruits of bitterness such as evil speaking,
anger, and hatred. Bitterness, as the text says, can
defile others, as well. It can hurt relationships and
can even cause disunity within a congregation.
.....Colossians 3:19 speaks
of the danger of bitterness within a marriage as it
says, "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter
against them." Instead of having bitterness toward
his wife, the husband is told to love her. When bitterness
exists, proper love is lacking. Problems often occur
between a husband and a wife and when problems are not
settled, ill-feelings can fester into resentment and
bitterness. Some disagreements need to be discussed
and resolved. Trivial disagreements should simply be
forgotten. Many couples need to learn how to "forget
about it" or to "get over it." If not,
bitterness can develop which can destroy any relationship,
especially a marriage.
.....Bitterness
is a sin, and it must be put away. Ephesians 4:31 says,
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and
clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with
all malice." Sometimes a person will say, "With
what has happened to me, I have a right to be bitter."
The Biblical answer is, "No you don't." Some
people, for example, say that they can't stop gambling,
committing fornication, or drinking. It may be difficult,
but people can stop these sins. In the same way, although
it might not be easy, people can get rid of bitterness.
God does not require the impossible.
.....How
do we put away bitterness? Ephesians 4:32 makes it clear
that bitterness is to be replaced with kindness and
compassion. We need to have enough kindness and compassion
in our hearts so that there is no room for bitterness.
Verse 32 also points out that we are to forgive one
another "even as God for Christ's sake" has
forgiven us. Sometimes it is very difficult to forgive,
but we must. Even if a person will not repent, the Bible
teaches that we are to love our enemies (Matt. 5:43-44),
and that we are to overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:17-21).
Finally, we must repent and pray (Acts 8:22) in order
to be forgiven.
.....Many
of life's dealings can cause bitterness: the deaths
of loved ones, sickness, difficult circumstances, and
people hurting or mistreating us in some way. We must
realize that life is full of hurts; it always will be.
We must never allow ourselves to be the "victims"
of other people's offenses. Bitterness has been called
"the nest that the devil digs into our soul."
It must, for our own good and for the good of others,
be put away.
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The
Easter Tragedy
By Larry Ray Hafley
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A
Question on Benevolence
By
Paul R. Blake |
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The Easter
Tragedy
By Larry Ray Hafley
.....Next to Christmas,
Easter Sunday is the most revered day on the calendar
of what is called "Christendom." With all
of its symbolism, a mixture of mysticism and paganism,
Easter dominates the spring as Christmas dominates
the winter. Yet, the trappings and traditions of Easter
are a tragedy.
.....No, they are not
a tragedy because the Son of God died a horrible death
on a Roman cross. Less still are they a tragedy because
many in the world ignore them. How, then, are the
Easter traditions a tragedy?
First, they are a tragedy because they are not of
God, not from God. From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday,
there is not a word of their celebration in the Bible.
Yes, very real events took place. The Lord did enter
Jerusalem; branches of trees were strewn in his honor;
he did die on Friday and was raised from the dead
early on the first day of the week. However, an annual
commemoration of that signal series of happenings
is no where to be found in the New Testament.
.....Jesus' baptism was
a significant event (Matt. 3). So was his glistering
transfiguration on the mount (Luke 9). Does our failure
to annually pay tribute to those items deny them their
place and power in the Lord's life? No. The church
of the New Testament did not "keep" or observe
them, and neither do we, and they are not thereby
degraded or denied. Those occurrences, as glorious
and important as they were, were not celebrated by
the first Christians. Likewise, with the episodes
of what is called "Easter." As stated, the
events described in the New Testament transpired.
They are part of the gospel narrative, but they never
were part of the worship of the church of the first
century. As we do not deprecate and denigrate the
baptism of Jesus by not ceremoniously observing it,
so we do not defile the events of the resurrection
by not celebrating it.
.....Second, Easter is
a tragedy because millions think they are honoring
the Lord Jesus when they keep it. Multitudes of folks
will arise early and go to their places of worship.
They will be at "Sunrise Services" all over
the country thinking they are doing God service, but
since such a service is not part of the doctrine of
Christ, it is all in vain. "But in vain do they
worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts
of men" (Matt. 15:9). "Whosoever transgresseth,
and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not
God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he
hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9).
.....The safety and security
men feel in human traditions is one of the most deadly
webs and weapons in the devil's arsenal. "Many
will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast
out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt.
7:22, 23).
.....Third, the myths
associated with Easter obscure the truth of God. Easter
eggs, Easter parades, and Easter bonnets, so special
and significant in the minds of men, blind them to
the real significance of the Lord's death, burial,
and resurrection. How can the simplicity of the Lord's
Supper, partaking of the bread and the fruit of the
vine upon the first day of the week, compete with
the elaborate plays, pageants, and parades of Easter?
Complete with prizes for all and the happiness of
parents who bask in the radiance of their children's
joy, how can an unadorned Lord's Supper compare with
the showy dress and childhood fun of a church's Easter
egg hunt? It cannot. Thus, the hearts of many are
blind to the light of truth about the true significance
of the death of Christ (1Cor. 10:16, 17, 11:23-26).
.....For those reasons,
the trappings and traditions of Easter are a spiritual
tragedy with eternal repercussions.
A Question
on Benevolence
By Paul R. Blake
.....Question: "We
had a member who was very ill and had to move nearer
to medical services. Several members of our congregation
have helped him in the past. When he left here, he
placed his membership with a church in a neighboring
city. About two months later, he informed one of our
members that he was in need of some financial help
because he could not buy his medicine. We wrote him
a check from the church treasury. Now, the question:
Did we do the right thing? Or should we have sent
it to the elders, and let them give it to him?"
Answer: When Paul received the aid from the Philippian
congregation in Philippians 4:14, 18, he was in prison;
he was not free to move about preaching the gospel.
Regarding the assistance he received -- he acknowledged
that they "shared in my distress." I do
not believe this was support for evangelism, but rather
relief for this aged apostle who was in prison. It
must be understood that at this time prisoners were
not cared for very well by the government, but rather
by family and friends who would bring them food and
clothing to supplement their needs. It is my impression
that Paul is describing benevolence given to a needy
saint by a congregation.
However, it must be emphasized that the gift was given
directly to the needy saint, and not by means of a
benevolent organization that would oversee the distribution.
Epaphroditus was merely the courier; he was not endowed
with decision-making power in the matter, nor was
he the disburser of the funds.
There are three scenarios in the New Testament whereby
local churches gave limited benevolence:
.....1) A congregation
with an abundance gives to a congregation with a need
(Acts 11:27-30); in which case the gift went from
the congregation having an abundance to the eldership
of the needy congregation who would see to the correct
local distribution to the saints suffering the famine.
.....2) A congregation
gives to local needy saints and widows indeed (1Tim.
5:14-16); in which case the elders determine which
local saints are needy and instruct the deacons to
"wait on tables." The gift goes directly
to individual in need.
.....3) A congregation
gives to a needy saints elsewhere (Phil. 4:14, 18).
The church at Philippi sent to assist Paul's need
while he was in prison. The gift goes directly to
individual in need.
.....There is no danger
of flirting with institutionalism in the above, as
there is no administering organization larger than
the local church, there is no decision-making body
larger than the eldership of the local churches, and
there is no category of recipients larger than that
of the individual saints in need.
.....If, however, the
saints in that local church are uncomfortable with
this, let them send individual gifts to this man as
each person sees fit. There is no NT restriction on
individual benevolence save that it cannot be used
to support the unfruitful works of darkness.
.....As for the man receiving
the gift -- he should be grateful for the gift and
acknowledge his thanks to the Lord and express his
gratitude to the congregation that assisted him, just
as Paul did in Philippians. In addition, honorable
behavior requires that he disclose this gift to the
elders of the local congregation of which he is a
member if he is also receiving aid from them as well.
Paul publicly spoke of the gift the Philippians gave
him while he was in prison. It will serve two purposes:
first, it provides an example of generosity that will
encourage other disciples, and second, it prevents
unscrupulous brethren from taking advantage of the
kindness of disciples in distant places.
The Five
Fingered Prayer
1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers
by praying for those closest to you. They are the
easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is,
as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for
those who teach, instruct, and direct our way. They
need support and wisdom in pointing others in the
right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds
us of our leaders. Pray for those who stand tall in
authority -- the president, leaders in business and
industry, and administrators. These people shape our
nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising
to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger;
as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind
us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in
pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot
pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest
finger of all -- which is where we should place ourselves
in relation to God and others. As the Bible says,
"The least shall be the greatest among you."
Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.
By the time you have prayed for the other four groups,
your own needs will be put into proper perspective
and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
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CHILDREN,
REMEMBER TO LOVE
By Joe R. Price |
Are
You the Appendix? |
| Easy
vs. Hard |
The
Believing Scientist
By Mark Dunagan |
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CHILDREN, REMEMBER TO LOVE
By Joe R. Price
.....Every child needs
to learn to practice love. In truth, it is often children
who show adults the innocent qualities of love and
simple devotion that characterizes kingdom citizens
(Matt. 18:1-4; 19:13-14). From a young age, children
are able to learn to practice love toward others.
There are several different groups of people you see
every day that deserve to be loved by you.
.....Children, your parents
deserve your love. God wants you to honor your father
and mother (Eph. 6:2). This means to respect them,
to obey them and to love them. Why not tell your parents
today how much you love them? Then, show them you
love them by respecting them with your words and by
obeying their instructions. As your parents, they
deserve your love and respect, and the Lord wants
you to love them.
Children, treat your brothers and/or sisters with
love. Sometimes you may not think you love your brother
or sister (especially after they have just eaten all
the ice cream and you didn't get any!). But deep down,
you know that you do. God wants you to show your love
to your brothers and sisters by being kind toward
them (Eph. 4:32). Discover some way to help your brother
or sister, and then simply do it. When you do, you
will be showing your love for them.
.....Children, remember
to practice love toward your friends at school and
in your neighborhood. People remember the way you
treat them. By being fair and honest toward your friends
you can have a great influence for good (Eph. 4:25).
This is one a way you can "love your neighbor
as yourself."
.....Children, be sure
to love God. Loving God means we will believe His
word and obey His commands (John 14:15). We should
never complain about obeying God and worshipping Him
(1John 5:3). To become a Christian and faithfully
do His will shows that you love Him (Matt. 22:37).
.....Love is an action
word: "My little children, let us not love in
word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth"
(1John 3:18). Remember to show your love for God and
others. Yes, grown ups should practice love. And,
children should practice love, too.
The Believing
Scientist
By Mark Dunagan
.....If one believes
everything they hear from the mainstream media outlets
one would think that all scientists believe in evolution
and are atheists. Sigma Xi, the international honor
society for scientific and engineering research, polled
its members about religion and found that 41 percent
of PhD scientists reported that they attended church
on a typical Sunday. Another survey found 52 percent
of biologists identifying themselves as Christians.
M.I.T. professed Alan Lightman adds, "Contrary
to popular myth, scientists appear to have the same
range of attitudes about religious matters as does
the general public." Even atheist Nobel Laureate
Richard Feynman admitted, "Many scientists do
believe in both science and God...in a perfectly consistent
way." Physicist Robert Griffiths noted, "If
we need an atheist for a debate, I go to the philosophy
department. The physics department isn't much use."
That is, men and women who actually study the universe
can see the handiwork of God in the creation (Psalm
19:1). Cosmologist Allan Sandage said, "The world
is too complicated in all its parts and interconnections
to be due to chance alone. I am convinced that the
existence of life with all its order... is simply
too well put together." (Source: Eternal Perspectives,
Spring 2004, p. 15)
Are You the Appendix?
.....In 1 Corinthians
12, Paul compares the church to a physical body in
which every member is needed. One writer observed,
"Am I the appendix in the body of Christ?"
You see, the appendix can be removed and the body
does just fine without it. Would the local congregation
miss me, would something not be done if I were not
around? Usually, one is not even aware of their appendix
until it flares up. Some members of the church are
never heard from until they have a complaint. In extreme
cases, the appendix can even cause death to the entire
body! The "autopsy" of such a congregation
would reveal that the trouble began with one member
who in turn infected the entire group.
I Never Found the Time
Author Unknown
...................................I
knelt to pray but not for long,
...................................I
had too much to do.
...................................I
had to hurry and get to work
...................................For
bills would soon be due.
...................................So
I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
...................................And
jumped up off my knees.
...................................My
Christian duty was now done
...................................My
soul could rest at ease.
...................................All
day long I had no time
...................................To
spread a word of cheer.
...................................No
time to speak of Christ to friends,
...................................They'd
laugh at me I'd fear.
...................................No
time, no time, too much to do,
...................................That
was my constant cry,
...................................No
time to give to souls in need
...................................But
at last the time, the time to die.
...................................I
went before the Lord, I came,
...................................I
stood with downcast eyes.
...................................For
in his hands God held a book;
...................................It
was the book of life.
...................................God
looked into his book and said
..................................."Your
name I cannot find.
...................................I
once was going to write it down...
...................................But
never found the time"
Easy vs. Hard
.....................Why
is it so hard to tell the truth, but so easy to tell
a lie?
.....................Why
are we so sleepy in church, but right when the sermon
is over we suddenly wake up?
.....................Why
is it so hard to talk about God, but yet so easy to
talk about worldly stuff?
.....................Why
is it so boring to look at a religious magazine, but
yet so easy to look at a secular one?
.....................Why
are the churches getting smaller, but bars and dance
clubs are getting larger?
A Moment's Wisdom
........Weak
men wait for opportunities; strong men make them.
.......You
will never "find" time for anything. If
you want time, you must make it.
.......Great
opportunities come to all, but many do not know they
have met them. The only preparation to take .......advantage
of them, is simple fidelity to what each day brings.
.......An
optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a
pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity.
.......An
optimist is one who takes a frying-pan on a fishing
trip.
.......Optimism:
A cheerful frame of mind that enables a teakettle
to sing though in hot water up to its nose.
.......The
man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away
small stones.
.......Each
one of us should do something every day that we do
not want to do but know we should do, to .......strengthen
our backbone and put iron in our soul.
.......Your
living is determined not so much by what life brings
to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so
.......much
by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks
at what happens. Circumstances and situations .......do
color life, but you have been given the mind to choose
what the color shall be.
.......The
ability to be calm, confident, and decisive in crisis
is not an inherited characteristic but is the direct
result .......of
how well the individual has prepared himself for the
battle.
.......The
spirit of man is stronger than anything that can happen
to it.
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| .....The
confidence of the disciple of Jesus is not in his
or her own abilities; everyone who has submitted to
the will of Christ has come to the realization that
they cannot save themselves by themselves. It is the
"poor in spirit" who come to Christ, recognizing
their spiritual destitution and dependency upon Jesus
for salvation, and it is humility that will lead us
to admit, first, that we are sinners and, then, admit
we need God's help to remove its stain. Only when
we put away arrogance and the false idea that we can
get to heaven on our own "goodness" will
we be willing to submit, serving the Lord and our
brethren.
.....But the disciple
of Christ can have confidence once he or she has obeyed
the gospel. We can have confidence that Christ will
stand for us when we approach God in prayer (Heb.
4:14-16), we can have confidence that the promised
reward truly awaits us (2Tim. 1:12), and we can have
confidence that we "can do all things through
Christ who strengthens" us (Phil. 4:13). It is
this last idea, though, that I would like us to consider
today, for there are some powerful points that must
be made if we are to have this confidence. Let us
consider each portion of this statement that we might
truly know what it is that can give me that confidence.
....."I." The
first part of this statement identifies who it is,
exactly, that may have this confidence - but also
who must be the one who takes the action. It is "I"
- not someone else. It is "I" who must participate,
it is "I" who must take a stand, it is "I"
who must resist temptation, and it is "I"
who will stand before Jesus in the final judgment
and have to give an answer for the deeds done in my
body. It is "I" who can do all things. If
"I" am not doing these things, then "I"
will have to answer for it in the end.
....."Can."
Not "might" or "could have" -
CAN! I can do all things. This is not merely a possibility,
it is an assurance. There should be no doubt whatsoever
about doing all things, because God gives us the assurance
that we can do all things. It is only our baseless
doubts and insecurities that will prevent us from
doing all things. Maybe we are trusting in our own
abilities [or lack thereof] when we fail to do what
we could and should be doing. Maybe we think that
others will not listen to us because we do not have
some great speaking ability, or power to persuade.
Let us be reminded that Moses used this same excuse,
but God would not accept it then, either (Ex. 4:10-17).
If we do not do what should have been done, it will
not be because we could not. God says we can!
"Do." Here is the sticking point for many:
doing. If churches are not growing, it is often because
not enough of the members are doing (Eph. 4:16; every
part must do its share). If I am not growing, it is
because I am not doing what I should (desiring and
partaking of the word of God, 1Peter 2:2). Whenever
the church, or the individual Christian, is lacking
in some thing, it can almost always be traced back
to this one shortcoming: not doing anything, or not
doing enough. If any task will ever be accomplished
(Luke 17:10), if any command will ever be obeyed (Matt.
7:21), and if any reward is to be given (Heb. 10:36),
we must do what must be done!
.....Let us also note
that Paul did not say, "I can dream about all
things," or, "I can wish all things";
he said, "I can do all things." We must
DO! Sometimes, our lack of growth may be because we
spend too much time in the planning stage and never
get around to actually doing what must be done. We
must go out and DO!
"All Things." When we consider this part
of the verse, let us not go too far, but let us not
sell ourselves short, either. The limitation of the
"all things" is that it must be done "in
the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17), meaning
we must do it by His authority, and with His express
approval. We cannot presume to do something and then
seek approval afterwards. That didn't work with your
parents and it doesn't work with Jesus Christ, either.
While we may think what we do is fine and good and
even "wonderful," Jesus does not always
think so (Matt. 7:21-23).
.....But when we have
properly restricted ourselves to "do all things"
in the name of the Lord, let us not go too far in
restricting in what or where He has not so restricted
us. Jesus commanded the disciples to "Go…and
make disciples," but He did not direct them how
it was to be done. They could ride in a chariot, sail
in a ship, walk, or run to go do this. They could
speak, they could write, they could do it in their
own homes or in a public arena. However it could be
done, Jesus wanted them to go and teach others! [Let
us note that at no time did they use carnal enticements
as a "method" of teaching the gospel; doughnuts
and coffee are not "methods" of evangelism.
It is the gospel of Jesus Christ, not food, that is
the power of God to save (Rom. 1:16).]
.....For disciples today,
neither should we limit ourselves where God has given
us the liberty. We can use television, radio, newspapers,
printed tracts, fliers, and books. We can teach in
our homes, at the "church building," in
public areas, in our cars, and wherever the opportunity
may present itself. Any other "thing" we
may do with Christ's express approval should be done,
too, without reservation. Let us not sell ourselves
short and say there is something beyond our ability
to do; remember that Paul said we can do all things.
....."Through Christ
[Who]." The power to "do all things"
does not rest in our own abilities, knowledge, or
skills, but in Christ. It is through Him that we are
able to "do all things." It is by His blood
that we are able to "become the righteousness
of God" (2Cor. 5:21). It was by His blood that
we were redeemed (Eph. 1:7). It is because of His
sacrifice and because He stands at the right hand
of God, speaking for us, that we can go to God in
prayer and be forgiven of sins (Heb. 4:14-16; 9:24;
1John 1:7, 9; 2:1). It is through Jesus Christ that
we may stand before God justified, not by our own
"goodness" or good works.
.....When we recognize
that it is through Christ, and not our own power,
that these things are possible, we may then have the
confidence to "do all things through Christ."
Paul suffered many hardships and trials because of
his faith, but he endured them all because his confidence
was in Christ and His promises. He endured "the
sufferings for the gospel" because he knew whom
he believed, and was "persuaded that He is able
to keep that which I have committed to Him until that
day." (2Tim. 1:8, 12) He considered his many
trials [2Cor. 11:22-33] "our light affliction"
(2Cor. 4:17) because he was looking to the "far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" in
heaven. It was through Jesus Christ that he was able
to do this, so what about us? We have not yet suffered
to the extent of the apostle Paul, so what is preventing
us from doing "all things"?
....."Strengthens
Me." Here is the power, here is the ability,
and here is how "all things" may be accomplished.
It is through strength we overcome any trial, by strength
in the word of God we can answer every temptation,
and by strength we can shine as lights in this ever-darkening
world. Christ puts in us the ability to be strong
that we might truly "do all things." We
cannot make excuses for why we do not fulfill His
commands, for He has also given us the ability - the
strength - to do whatever we must. It is up to us
to "use it or lose it," for muscle that
is unused will soon become weak and ineffective.
.....Let us never say,
"I can't," when work needs to be done, and
let us never say, "It's too much for me."
Let us instead have the confidence in Christ because
it is He who has truly given us the strength to "do
all things." God says we can do what must be
done.
.....Next time you are
faced with a difficult trial, a temptation to overcome,
or just an opportunity to teach someone else, please
do not say, "I just can't do this." Next
time - and every time - why not just remind yourself
of this one thing: "I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me." You might just be
amazed at all the things you may accomplish when you
remember what you can do. |
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