Through Christ
Have you ever read a Biblical truth and kept it in your heart? You were determined that you would not forget that Biblical truth and that you would ALWAYS apply it to your daily life? I know that I myself am guilty of reading God’s word, agreeing with God’s word, and then I go out in the world and in the heat of the moment my faith is put in my own abilities, whatever may come my way. What am I going to do? How will I handle this? What should I say? The REAL question should be God, what do you want to do? What do you want to say?
Philippians 4:13 NKJV, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Notice that in this scripture it says “through Christ.” It doesn’t say “through me” or “through my spouse” or “through my best friend.” The scripture reads “through Christ.” I am by no means downplaying the importance of your spouse or your friends. Scripture clearly states:
“And the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’” (Genesis 2:18, NKJV)
“And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’” (Matthew 19:4-6, NKJV)
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.’”(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NKJV)
What I want to address today is ourselves. I want us to be able to admit when we tried to do something in our own strength or made a decision that was life changing without asking God, “Father, is this what you want? What is on your heart?” Then I want us to be intentional to follow through with the strength and wisdom that Christ provides instead of our own. Put your faith in God, not ourselves! We do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST who gives us strength. It’s a challenge when you are in the moment to seek God for those things one is facing instantaneously. With intentional action and remembering what God says, we can do it! This world is so busy and operates at such a fast pace to keep up. God never intended it to be that way. We need to take a moment to be still and know that He is God.
Matthew7:7-8, NKJV“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
Jeremiah 29:23-13, NKJV “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
We are a people who want instant gratification. We want an answer now! It does not always have to be that way. God knows and sees all things. His timing is perfect! But do you trust Him? Do you have faith in Him to come through for you in your time of need or even when you aren’t in need? Hebrews 11:1 NKJV, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Anytime we take things into our own hands with our own strength and our own wisdom, we are telling God He doesn’t know what He is doing, that He isn’t good enough, His ways aren’t good enough. Wasn’t it man who fell to sin in the garden of Eden? Wasn’t it God who gave us the victory through Jesus Christ, who tore the veil, defeated death, hell and the grave, and reconciled us to our Father? If you are weary from doing things your way, I challenge you, try it God’s way! He tells us in Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
My friends, I want to encourage you to seek the Lord. You can find Him in prayer. You can find Him in His word. You can find Him in nature, His creation. You can find Him anywhere if you are truly seeking Him. If we are not reading the Bible to learn about God and the heart of our Father towards us, how can we live in the spirit and by the wisdom of God? “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.” Proverbs 9:10-11, NKJV.
© 2022 Leslie Wittenmyer—all rights reserved