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Our power is from God

God always has the power to help you overcome

So much is happening in this world and the struggle to survive is getting more difficult.  Everyone has been affected in some way by the economy as jobs are scarce and homes are being foreclosed on daily.  The increase of broken marriages is staggering even among Christians.  And it seems like so many health issues are affecting people everywhere.  Though prayers are being offered,  some may wonder if God’s power is enough to take us through.

The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:12, “For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that he is able to guard that which I give to him for this day“.  That was a powerful statement coming from a man who in his lifetime was beaten, stoned, homeless and imprisoned.  How could such faith come from Paul in the midst of all that he had to endure?  It seems like God should have made Paul’s life a little easier since he was entrusted with bringing the good news of Christ to the lost.  But God’s ways are higher.

The truth lies in the fact that Paul intimately KNEW the God he served.  He was confident that he could have peace in his blessings as well as his trials.  He understood that in all things, God was working out a perfect plan that would strengthen Paul in this life and earn him reward in heaven. The reality was that God had a purpose in using all that came against Paul to further his kingdom as he transformed Paul into the image of Christ.  Paul was ready for the day when he would meet his Savior face to face.  For that reason he believed that to die was gain and to go on living was for Christ.  Paul was ready to do whatever was asked of him.

The grace that you need to face all of the challenges in your life as a believer is living in you!  There is now no mountain of trouble and no sea of tears that can stop you from living an abundant life in Christ Jesus.  The enemy can’t do anything to you that God knows will destroy you.  You can’t lose the battle when the power of Christ is your force and your strength.  You must always remember that God knows your struggles and your pain.  It was by his will that you were  created and  by his word he spoke the universe into existence.  There is nothing hidden from the all-knowing, all present God.

God will always be sovereign over all that you go through.  In the book of Job, we read that Satan had to first ask  permission to come against Job.  Satan wanted to destroy Job but God knew that the testing was only going to make Job stronger in his faith and more blessed than before.  He knew his power would be more than enough for Job to overcome all of  the enemy’s attacks. Do you not know that the same is true for you and in your circumstance?  The wind, the waves and every storm and battle that you face must first come before Christ who allows only that which he will cause to be used for your good despite how painful it seems now.  Beloved, for that reason you must never give up.  Your God is working out blessings in your life that you can’t even imagine!  You may feel weak,  but God will keep you from sinking if you will just keep your eyes on him.

In my own life, I am experiencing a struggle that is causing me much pain.  There are times I also feel overwhelmed and weakened from the battle that never seems to end.  It is difficult some mornings for me to just get out of bed.  Yet in my heart, I know the God whom I have believed.  I can trust through all things that  God will not fail me.  I may not see or feel him working out my problem, but I know that he is.  When I get weary, I turn to his word and seek his strength.  I have purposed in my heart to keep my trust in Christ no  matter how dark the storm gets.    Sometimes I write these posts through my tears.  It is difficult but I know my Redeemer lives!  He has taken me too far for me to give up now.  Each day I grow in the strength that he gives me.  All that I am going through has a purpose that God has designed and that he will work out in his perfect way.

It is my prayer that  if you are in a difficult situation that you will give your pain to the One who paid the price to give you a future with hope. Jesus overcame all of our enemies and all of our problems by his death on the cross. There is nothing can can hold you in bondage if you will trust  that God is bigger.  I will be praying with you.

Dear Lord, there is so much darkness in this world and  we are all struggling to stay in the battle.  I pray for all of those who are just too weary to pray and who feel that you have given up on them.  I stand in the gap for those who are hurting and I pray that you will lead them to your perfect peace.  Let them feel your presence as you give them the knowledge that nothing will stop your plan and the future that you have ordained for them.  You are more than able to guard all the pain and struggles that we give to you for this day.  Open their eyes to see that you already have them surrounded by your angels who are greater than the troubles that come against them.  Please give them an understanding of your enduring love.  Amen

Our power is from God

     Your God is with you!

The times we live in are difficult and a lot of us pass the day just hoping for the strength to get through it. There seems to be so much to do and so little time to get it all done. It is a financial struggle just to make ends meet and the future holds uncertainty.  Sickness and trouble are everywhere making it difficult to stand and believe.  Marriages and relationships are being attacked and addictions increase as truth is thrown to the ground.  Through it all, we become so weary and wonder if God is really with us in the storm.

God is with us and he does care about our pain.  He has promised through his word to be our strength in all of our trials and sorrows.  In 2 Chronicles 16:9 of Scripture we read, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him”.   The battles of this world belong to the Lord and he is able to keep us in the victory that was won by the cross of Christ.  Jesus told his disciples in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you”.  That means that he will bear our burdens and carry our sorrows.  No trial that we endure in life is a surprise to God for he knew from the foundation of the earth what struggles we would have.  He has promised that he would be the way through all of our problems and he is faithful.  The peace that Christ left us is divine, unchanging and perfect.  It is the assurance that God gives us that he will walk with us in mighty power to overcome all obstacles in our life.

There is not an addiction, an illness or a struggle we may face that is stronger than the God who loves and rescues us.  Not even death can separate us from the love that Christ has for each of us.  By his blood,  he paid the price that guarantees us victory over the darkness and the forces that seek to take us down.   Jesus told us to come to him and he will give us rest as he works all things out for our good. He is the Author of life and he can fulfill the perfect plan that he has for you.

This world and all that is in it is passing away, but the word of God is forever.  For that very reason, we must keep our eyes on the only thing that matters….eternity with Jesus Christ.  You must remember that today’s pain can never stop tomorrow’s promise bought by the blood of Jesus.

In Job 19:25-26, we read that after losing his wealth, his children and his health, Job still cried out, “ I know my redeemer lives and he shall stand one day upon the earth.  And after my skin is destroyed this I know, that in my flesh, I shall see God.”  There is no greater faith than to stand on God’s promises when all seems lost.  Finally, in Psalm 46, we read that though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, God is still our refuge and strength and an ever-present help in trouble.

The battles of this earth can make you feel weak and weary, but the truth is that God’s love for you will see you through until the end. It was God’s hand that formed you and it is God’s strength that can keep you in his perfect peace.  You don’t have to wait for Jesus to find a way to help you, he is the way!  Take heart, my friends, for God is with you in your battle.  You can’t lose!

 

Marianne Bernard

Marianne Bernard

I seek first the kingdom of Christ because everything else in this world is perishing. All that I have is from God who is always faithful. I have worked hard all my life and will continue as long as God lends me breath. The mistakes and bad judgments I made in my life all stemmed from me trying to work things out by myself. I have learned the hard way that the victory over all of my problems and the answers to all of my desires lie solely in my Savior, Jesus Christ. It is now my desire to share the words that God gives me to encourage and give hope to others who need the strength that only faith in Christ can give.

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