“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”- Philippians 4:13
It is perhaps one of the most inspiring verses we find in the Bible. The writer is none other than Apostle Paul who even as He had been called of God to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles faced all manner of hardships and set backs.
Paul narrates in 2 Cor 24- 26, “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. In my frequent journeys, I have been in danger from rivers and from bandits, in danger from my countrymen and from the Gentiles, in danger in the city and in the country, in danger on the sea and among false brothers..” In spite of all Paul kept moving. He never lost faith and went on to build many churches in areas where his ministry took him.
Paul’s strength was based on the knowledge that, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” ( Romans 8:28). God enabled Paul accomplish his tasks by providing him resources, protecting him when as needed, and leading him on to his destiny. For instance one time while being pursued, “his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall” ( Acts 9:25). What a daring escape.
So, today, let’s take comfort that with faith in Christ we “can do all things.” God enables us through a myriad ways. He leads. He guides. He protects. Our job is simple: never to lose faith.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, because of the faith I have in Christ, I rise today, confident that there is no task beyond me, because I do all things in Christ Jesus!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
