I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH
(Philippians 4:13)
Weekly Devotion:
She was an unlikely candidate to change the world. Young. Female. Single. The bible does not indicate there was anything particularly special about this young maiden. She was simply a young girl who awaited her wedding day with her fiancée, Joseph.
When greeted by the angel as “highly favored one, blessed are you among women” I wonder if Mary did her best Robert De Niro’s imitation, “You talkin’ to me?” Mary saw herself as just an ordinary young girl but God saw her as extraordinary. Mary dreamed of starting a family with Joseph. God saw her as the mother of the Savior of the world.
When Mary was confronted with such lofty ideas of “conceiving without knowing a man, birthing a child who will be known as the Son of the Highest, delivering a baby who would be King” she naturally questions, “How?” The Angel’s response seals the deal for Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and overshadow you. For with God, nothing is impossible.” A promise and a declaration was all it took for Mary to believe that from her ordinary, extraordinary could happen. Armed with the promise of the Holy Spirit and a belief in the God of the impossible, Mary knew should could birth the King of the World, she could risk losing her fiancé, she could endure the shame and the condemnation of being an unwed mother, she could withstand the scorning looks of the elders, she could do the impossible.
It was over 60 years later, when Apostle Paul summarize Mary’s profound revelation, “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) Mary and Paul realized that with the Holy Spirit and a promise from God, nothing is impossible for the believer. We can be who God says we are. We can do what He says we can do. We can live righteously, free from guilt and condemnation, forgiving freely, loving unconditionally. We can lay hands on the sick and see them recover, we can cast out demons, we can go into all the world and make disciples. We can be who God says we are.
What lie have you believed that says “I can’t”? “I can’t break the addiction.” “I can’t lose the weight.” “I can’t forgive.” “I can’t love”. “I can’t forget the past.” “I can’t start that new business or ministry.” “I can’t write that book.” “I can’t reconcile with my family.”
Like ordinary Mary, like ordinary Paul, you have been given a promise and you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. Therefore, you can look in the mirror and declare with all confidence and assurance:
“I can break this addiction”
“I can lose the weight.”
“I can forgive.”
“I can love unconditionally.”
“I can be healed from past wounds.”
“I can start a new business or begin the ministry God has put on my heart.”
“I can write that book, preach that sermon, pray for the sick.”
“I can reconcile with my family.”
“I am armed with a promise, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and nothing is impossible for God, therefore, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Daily Prayer for Week 1:
Father, I ask that from your glorious, unlimited resources you would empower me with inner strength through your Spirit. Christ, make your home in my heart so I may trust in you. Let my roots grow deep into your love and keep me strong. Grant me revelation so that I may comprehend how wide, how long, how high, and how deep your love is for me. May I experience the love of Christ and be made complete with the fullness of life and power that comes only from You. Lord, I give you glory because you are able to accomplish infinitely more than I can even ask think or imagine through your mighty power at work within me.” Reveal Your love to me today Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen (Based on Ephesians 3:14-20)