How refreshing is this small waterfall ! It reminds me of what Jesus called "living water". (John 7:38). God's holy Word is even more refreshing - and more rejuvenating - than even this delightful waterfall shown here. Just a side-note: when I do my daily Bible study I have an internet video going depicting a stream with waterfalls and with birds chirping in the background. It is very soothing to watch and listen to as I read my Bible. It is not distracting as the sound is on low and I only occasionally glance at the moving water. Try it sometime.
This post is about acquiring strength to face obstacles. Reading God's Word and immersing yourself in its faith-building truths will enable you to do just that.... to face hardships and trials with the Lord as your strength.
"My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen Thou me according to Thy word." - Psalm 119:28
Philippians 4:13 tells us, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I could almost end this post with that verse, because it just about sums up everything concerning strength and how it is possible when you have the Lord by your side. You can face anything by the power of God/Jesus and you can endure the impossible in His strength. Philippians 4:13 is a only a part of what Paul had in mind in this epistle as to Christ's abilities to meet all of our needs.
A large part of endurance and learning to be strong is found in the ability to learn to be content in whatever circumstances one finds himself in. (Philippians 4:11). The more you have your mind on Christ and on heavenly things (and not on the lusts of the world), the more you will find yourself content, serving the Lord and living a godly life, with Jesus to guide and strengthen you in all things.
"And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places," - Ephesians 1:19-20
"Only he who can say, 'The Lord is the strength of my life' can say 'Of whom shall I be afraid?' " - Alexander MacLaren
"You become stronger only when you become weaker. When you surrender your will to God, you discover the resources to do what God requires." - Erwin Lutzer
We need to rely on the power of God. God cannot use a person who is self-centered and who relies on his own strength and not on Him. That is the epitome of conceit and pride to rely on your own strength. When we were saved, we were to rely on Jesus as our Lord and Master as well as our Savior. Inquire of the Lord when you are in doubt and need guidance. He is waiting to hear from you. He will give you strength to endure and to face your mountains.
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength...........But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:29, 31
Remember, however, that if you ask for strength, God may give you difficulties to make you strong. It is through endurance that we learn to be strong.
"Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue or strength each one hath. For occasions do not make a man frail, but they show what he is." - Thomas A. Kempis
Remember Paul and his thorn in the flesh. In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul describes how he was caught up to the third heaven and that he "heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." Verse 7 tells us that to keep him from being prideful he was given a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of satan to buffet him. He prayed to the Lord to remove it, but verse 9 tells us:
"And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." And continuing with verse 10 of 2 Corinthians 12: "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
We can see that the Lord's grace was sufficient for Paul because it was a better solution than to remove Paul's thorn. "Human weakness provides the perfect opportunity for the display of divine power."
To be strong requires strong faith. If you have been born-again the Holy Spirit will increase your faith as you study your Bible and as you come to the Lord in much prayer. Answered prayers is one of the greatest faith-builders there is ! When you are in distress or feeling blue, just remember how many times God has answered your prayers showing how much He loves you and cares for you. Recalling His goodness and faithfulness toward you will guarantee that you snap out of your negative mood and that you will also be encouraged to continue life's journey with much faith in the Lord, which in turn will make you stronger in your walk with Him.
"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength." - Francis de Sales
"The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. When you feed your heart and mind with its truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength." - Warren Wiersbe
We find ourselves now living in the end times, the last hours of the last days. We need our faith and strength in the Lord to be able to endure these perilous times. (2 Timothy 3:1-5). But, if you are a true believer in and follower of Jesus Christ, you will be included in the Rapture of the Church which is soon to happen. You will therefore not suffer the wrath of God which occurs during the seven year Tribulation period. You do not want to be "left behind" and see and experience the horrendous judgments during the Tribulation; that is, if you are not saved now, you must give your life to the Lord in faith, believing in Him with all of your heart and also in His resurrection; repenting sincerely of all your sins and asking the Lord to forgive you and give you a humble and contrite spirit.
Time is short !!
"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:16-19
To be strong requires strong faith. If you have been born-again the Holy Spirit will increase your faith as you study your Bible and as you come to the Lord in much prayer. Answered prayers is one of the greatest faith-builders there is ! When you are in distress or feeling blue, just remember how many times God has answered your prayers showing how much He loves you and cares for you. Recalling His goodness and faithfulness toward you will guarantee that you snap out of your negative mood and that you will also be encouraged to continue life's journey with much faith in the Lord, which in turn will make you stronger in your walk with Him.
"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength." - Francis de Sales
"The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. When you feed your heart and mind with its truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength." - Warren Wiersbe
We find ourselves now living in the end times, the last hours of the last days. We need our faith and strength in the Lord to be able to endure these perilous times. (2 Timothy 3:1-5). But, if you are a true believer in and follower of Jesus Christ, you will be included in the Rapture of the Church which is soon to happen. You will therefore not suffer the wrath of God which occurs during the seven year Tribulation period. You do not want to be "left behind" and see and experience the horrendous judgments during the Tribulation; that is, if you are not saved now, you must give your life to the Lord in faith, believing in Him with all of your heart and also in His resurrection; repenting sincerely of all your sins and asking the Lord to forgive you and give you a humble and contrite spirit.
Time is short !!
"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:16-19
