God equips you with all He expects from you.
“I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 NLT
My thoughts today to consider, “Strength Comes From God.”
Inevitably, you will encounter people who are challenging to please. Usually, such folk are not pleased with themselves, nor much of anything or anyone else. In such inevitable experiences, an unfounded fear suggests that God may be hard to please as well. His expectations are high, and His example is without parallel. He is perfect, never faltering, nor failing. How can anyone measure up to God? There is only one way. That way is grace.
Have you ever wondered if God is difficult to please? When we assume God cannot be pleased, He must feel sadness. Jesus models and teaches the opposite. His Father was loving and clear, “This is My beloved Son; I am fully pleased with Him.” 2 Peter 1:17-18 NLT. What an incredible affirmation. Jesus models the certain assurance that God takes pleasure in His family.
When you truly know that God is pleased, you can live with liberty and courage. The Bible testifies about a man much like us: “By faith Enoch had a testimony, that he pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5 NLT. Do you long to please God as Enoch did?
You can! Many Bible verses affirm that authentic faith and obedience please God. Hebrews 11:6. Obedience pleases God. 1 John 3:22-23 NIV. And doing good and sharing pleases God. Hebrews 13:16 NLT.
Pleasing God involves great trust and much love. The secret of God’s empowerment is this. “And now, may the God of peace . . equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to Him.” Hebrews 13:20 NLT. Pleasing to Him! That is an astounding truth of God’s heart, character, and grace
Our loving Father enables you to do what you otherwise could not. Ponder this. God equips you with all He expects from you. “That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10 NIV. God produces in you what is pleasing to Him.
With the help of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit, you and I are prepared to obey what God asks. Our Almighty God enables you to do what you cannot do in your own strength. With Paul, we can boldly say, “I can do everything through Christ, Who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLT.
My prayer is that you give God your best and trust Him for the rest.
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