A Sure Source Of Strength

Are we failures if we fail or do we fail because we are failures?

All of us fail at one time or another or at one task or another. Not because we do not try – because trying is not the problem. It is because we do not make use of the help – or power – that’s available to us from God. God is ready to help us whenever we call upon Him. There are no preconditions.

Sometimes I think that David must have faced more problems than any other person in the Bible. But he knew what to do and where to go when things were about to destroy him. There were times when he was weak from suffering. There were days when doing what God called him to do caused some serious difficulties for him. When he faced these challenges, he knew where to go and what to do!

“Summon Your power, God; show us Your strength, God, as You have done before.”

God provides His strength when we suffer. Paul had no easy life. His life often seemed to go from bad to worse. But God said, “Paul, my grace will be sufficient for every problem you will ever face, my Son’s presence in every cell you occupy and My healing each time you are beaten.”

He gives us strength when He calls us to serve Him. An elderly lady was asked, “Where do you get all of your energy to help so many people?” “Well,” she said, “the first thing I do in the morning is to connect with God’s power through my time of prayer. As I put my hand in God’s hand, I can feel His strength pass into me. Then I can do whatever it is He leads me to do in His name!”

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to believe that no matter what problems we face we can do all things through Your power. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Summon Your power, God; show us Your strength, God, as You have done before. Psalm 68:28 

His Strength

“Remember, don’t BLT,” said the surgeon. Of course, that got my attention immediately.

Then he explained, “Do not bend, lift or twist. If you do, you will damage or destroy the work that I did on your spine. You must ask for help from others if you want to heal properly. If you are seated, get help to stand. Do not lift anything that weighs more than five pounds – like a gallon of milk. And, turn your entire body rather than twist if you want to see someone or something that is to your left or right.” 

As I was wheeled from the hospital to begin the trip home, I could not imagine how different my life was going to be. Being dependent on others has always been difficult for me. But thinking of his orders and my false pride forced me to admit how often I had failed at one thing or another because I refused to ask someone for help or seek the counsel of others. Even God. Certainly, “pride does come before a fall.”

“Look to the Lord and His strength,” said the Psalmist. How easy it sounds but how difficult it is for many of us to do. God wants us to depend on Him, seek the help and counsel of others. If we don’t, the likelihood of failure looms large. Our strength is limited, but He is not. 

But there is something more to be learned here. When I come to the end of my strength and am unable to do what He has called me to do and ask others to help me, they share in my ministry. So, two things can happen: when I realize the blessings that can come from depending on others when they are willing and able to help me, they share His love by helping me. And, I can share my ministry with them!

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for Your ways, Your Word, and Your wisdom which are gifts we do not deserve but desperately need. May we willingly share them with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Look to the Lord and His strength; continually seek Him. Psalm 105:4 

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Renewed Like Eagles

Eagles have a unique place in nature - certainly a place that differs from all other birds. They represent strength, power and freedom from the things of this world that would distract them. No wonder they have a special place in God’s Word. Isaiah promised, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles.” No doubt David had this in mind when he wrote, “so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” What makes eagles special?

Eagles have great vision and sharp focus. Their eyes were designed by God for long distance and clarity. Their vision enables them to see what other birds do not see. We as Christians need God’s vision so we can see what we need to do for Him.

Eagles are fearless. As God’s representatives, we need to be fearless as we represent Him and present His message to others. We must never bow to others in fear.

Eagles are tenacious. Other birds fly from a storm. But eagles fly into the storm - taking advantage of life’s difficulties - and rise to greater heights, never giving up.

Eagles are “high flyers.” They easily fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. Pigeons stay on the ground and “grumble” all day long. The eagle quietly soars above the noises of life and finds peace with God.

Eagles possess vitality. They are full of life yet find time to reenergize themselves and extend their lives.

Eagles nurture their young ones. No other bird is more attentive or gentle to its young than the eagle.

Prayer: Grant us, Lord, the qualities of an eagle. May we live lives that distinguish us from others as we serve You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

An Important Warning!

The road to spiritual, mental and physical healing is often long and difficult. Sometimes it takes us through long periods of dark days and long nights when it seems as though we are left to survive on our own. We struggle and strain and worry and work but it seems as though we will be left to our own abilities.

There is great advice in today’s verse: “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ Your love, O Lord, supported me.” Before the Psalmist fell, he recognized that he was facing a situation, having to solve a problem or make a decision that could have been disastrous to his well-being. So, he did not wait until calling on God was too late - that his testimony and witness to the grace of God would be too late - he outmaneuvered Satan. When he realized that his foot was slipping he called on God and God’s love supported him! He did not need to ask for forgiveness - he asked God to intervene immediately and sustain him.

As Paul brought his second letter to Timothy to a close, he must have had this verse in mind. “Timothy,” he wrote, “the Lord stood at my side and gave me the strength that I needed, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and that all the Gentiles might hear it.”

Paul recognized how important it was for him to depend on God’s strength and not his own. He knew that the battle was not his but the Lord’s. So, rather than let his witness be destroyed, He called on God.

Prayer: Father, help us to realize that our strength is limited and Yours isn’t. May we learn to depend on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 94:18 If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.

"Too Big For Me, Dad"

Young Timothy was helping his Dad clear a lot next to their home for a garden. Things went well until Tim ran into a large stone that he couldn’t budge. After struggling for a few moments he called to his Dad and said, “Dad, this one is too big for me to handle. What should I do?”

“Well,” said his Dad wanting him to learn a lesson, “what have you tried to do?”

“I’ve pulled on it with both hands,” he said looking down at the stone. “And I’ve tried to pull it with a hoe, too, but that didn’t work either.”

“Sounds like you’ve tried to move it with all the strength that’s within you,” his Dad said patiently.

“Sure have, Dad. There’s nothing else for me to do but up give up on it,” he said with discouragement.

“Give up, son? Why would you give up?” he asked.

“There’s nothing else to I can do,” said Tim.

“Oh, but there is. You can always call on me to help you, Son,” he said with compassion.

Often God allows us to realize how weak we are without Him. We struggle and fail. We try and give up. We worry and become depressed. We think and realize that many things are beyond us. We practice and still make mistakes. We work and still can’t make ends meet.

Then suddenly we realize that God has put a “gap” between us and the solution to our problem. It’s His way of saying, “You can always call on me for help. And when you do, I will answer you and I will be with you and strengthen you!”

Prayer: We thank You, Lord, for being just a “prayer away” whenever we need Your help. We are truly grateful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 91:15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

Life After Life

A group of visitors once asked an eighty-two-year-old his age. After answering their question he said, "I'm going to live until I die. And then I'm going to live forever!"

Is it possible that he had Psalm 84 in mind and was reflecting on the words of the psalmist: "They go from strength to strength – or they make their way – till each appears before God."

God expects us to care for our bodies – He created them and entrusted them to us to do His work well. The story is told of two camels who deeply loved their masters.

While carrying their cargoes across the desert one decided that he would eat little so he could save his master money. He soon became weak and disoriented and thieves took advantage of his master when he died – beating him and taking the cargo. The other cared for both his master and his strength. He ate wisely and passed triumphantly across the desert.

We weaken ourselves spiritually by not nourishing ourselves with "soul-food" – God’s Word. Because God made us for Himself, we must bring His life into our life through the Word of Life – Christ our Lord. He alone can satisfy the hunger in our hearts and the longing in our souls.

Jesus met these needs when He said, "I am the Bread of Life! No one coming to me will ever be hungry again. And those who believe in Me will never thirst, either."

Age does not matter. Life does. And life begins with the Lord. Believe in Him! He will nourish body and soul.

Prayer: We look to You, Lord, for our strength. The journey before us is uncertain – not our God who guides us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 84:7 They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.

Choices And Consequences

Failure is never a welcome guest. Nor does one choose failure to be an associate or companion. Yet it is something that often invades our lives even though it is unwanted. Yet, from it we can learn some of life’s most valuable lessons.

In Psalm 21 David begins with shouts of praise: “How the king rejoices in Your strength, O Lord...how he shouts with joy because You gave him victory...how You gave him a crown...how You preserved his life.” Here we find David rejoicing and praising his Lord for the gracious gifts that He gave him. He praised God for granting him the desires of his heart and giving him victory over his enemies.

But notice carefully: he realized that the source of his strength, the joy of his victories, his golden crown and the preservation of his life all came from his Lord. He recognized God as his source of strength, survival and success. And in doing so, he gave thanks!

David learned from his mistakes. And wisely, when he came humbly from his victories, he knew who to thank: His victories came from the Lord and he acknowledged it.

God often allows us to experience the agony of defeat and the sorrow of disappointment to learn that we must rely on Him for everything, every day. In this Psalm David reminds us that his strength, joy, victory, rewards and protection all come from God. He learned from experience to trust God. What a great lesson for us.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to realize that we can only expect victory if we look to You for our needs. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 21:1 The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How great is his joy in the victories you give!

An Attitude Of Gratitude

Someone has rightly said that when we speak a person’s name we call that one into existence. For example, we can go an entire day without someone mentioning our name. No one has recognized that we are even alive. Does that mean that we do not exist? No. It means that we have not been “called into existence” or “recognized”. We have been “overlooked” so to speak.

David began Psalm 18 by recognizing God and proclaiming his love for his Lord: “I love You, Lord, my strength!” This simple statement quickly describes David’s dependence on God, his intimate relationship with God and his devotion to God. God, David said, was the source of his strength. Whatever he did was done through the strength that God gave him. And He received that strength when he called God “into existence.”

Often we think of “strength” as our ability to “lift” something or “endure” something as an athlete does in a contest. But David was not thinking of that type of strength. He goes on to describe his Lord as a rock, a fortress, a deliverer, a shield, his strength and the horn of his salvation. All of these words that describe God come from a military setting and help us to see that David, in this psalm, saw God as the One who protected him and made him the victor in all of his battles. They are “in His name.”

When David called on God, something happened: he was delivered or saved from all of his enemies. That also happens when we call on the Lord. “Everyone,” the Bible says, “who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Call on Him now to be delivered and saved!

Prayer: Lord, we love You and thank You for being our Savior and shield, our protector and provider. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 18:1 I love you, LORD, my strength.

Need Help In Getting Back Up?

Not long ago, shortly after spine surgery, I was walking from one room to another with a cup of coffee in one hand and a book in the other. Although I knew my balance had not returned to its pre-surgical state, I would not allow anyone to help me. Suddenly, I tripped, spilled the coffee on myself and my book and was lying flat on my face wondering what happened.

As I lay there, I soon realized that “pride,” no doubt, contributed to my fall more than my inadequate balance.

Struggling to get up, my wife asked if she could help me. I said, “No, I can do this by myself!” When I realized how weak I was, and that I could not get up by myself, I finally asked for her help. Sitting in my chair, I realized that this was another example of my pride and unwillingness to ask for help. First, I fell when I refused her help. Then I refused her help a second time to lift me.

As I thought about my experience some time later, Psalm 145:14 came to mind: “The Lord ‘lifts’ all those who fall; and lifts all who are bowed down.” Reflecting on that verse, I came to realize that we often “fall” in our daily spiritual journey because of pride and vanity. Even after we fall, we often refuse to turn to God for His strength, believing we “can do it on our own,” without His help.

“I can do all things,” Paul said, “through Christ.” He was a man of strength and courage, vision and victory. Yet, he realized that what God called him to do was well beyond his strength. He needed Christ’s strength to do Christ’s work. Are you down? Reach out for God’s hand!

Prayer: Lord, we often fail and fall because of our pride and vanity. May we realize we need You to stay “upright.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 145:14 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

Not Impossible For God!

Mr. Williams always took great care to encourage his students. Each day he would challenge them to do and be their best.

One Monday morning he decided to begin the week asking each student to share their goals in life.

“Matt,” he asked the sad looking child in the front row, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”

“Possible,” came the forlorn reply.

“What do you mean, ‘possible’, Matt?” he wondered.

“Well,” he said in a hopeless voice, “my Dad’s always saying to me, ‘Son, you are impossible.’ So, someday I want to know what it’s like to be possible, I guess.”

Jesus on many occasions dispelled the “myth of the impossible.” On one occasion He said, “Nothing will be impossible for you.” On another, He promised, “With men this is impossible, but not with God. All things are possible.” Then again He said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

Paul said, “I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” And he did! He was a warrior who became the ultimate witness. He was the one who approved the stoning of Stephen yet he became one of God’s most famous saints. He was the one who demonstrated to us that freedom comes from surrendering our plans to the plan that God has for us. He was the one who first proclaimed that forgiveness and eternal life are available to anyone who believes!

Prayer: Help us, Heavenly Father, to look beyond what we are to what we can become when we make ourselves available to Your transforming power. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What's In A Number?

When Harlan Sanders turned forty he realized that he could not point to anything in his life that could be considered a success. Whatever he attempted to do, failed. One day someone said to him, “Harlan, life begins at forty!” It jolted him in so much that it awakened his faith and he determined to begin again.

After a time of prayer he decided to open a service station. Shortly after its opening he added a luncheonette. One of his meals was fried chicken. To make it tastier he came up with a “special” batter and called it the Harlan Sanders’ Kentucky Fried Chicken. People enjoyed it so much that they soon recommended it to their friends. It brought him fame and fortune and the Governor of Kentucky made him a “Kentucky Colonel.” Soon people everywhere were buying the “Colonel’s” Kentucky Fried Chicken.

By God’s grace and the Colonel’s faith, what had been a life of failure and frustration became a life with a future and personal fulfillment. But his new life did not begin at forty. It began when God became the main ingredient of his life’s “recipe.”

When God becomes the main “ingredient” in our life, everything will become new. With Him as the centerpiece and His Word as our guide, we can overcome any obstacle or difficulty that stands in the way of our success.

Prayer: Let us always remember, Lord, that all things are possible when we trust in You and desire to honor You with the gifts and talents You have given us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:13 I can do anything through him who gives me strength.

God Will Enable You

During World War II a sergeant was driving a visiting evangelist to speak to the soldiers in the mess hall. On their trip across the military base the driver pointed to a sign that read, “Be All That You Can Be!”

The evangelist asked him, “Are you all that you can be?”

“No, but I would like to be,” he replied.

Then the evangelist said, “Here's how you can become all you want to be:

“First you must surrender your life to the Lord and be born again. Once you do that, you can begin your journey to becoming all that you can be because He has a plan for your life.”

“Then,” he continued, “you need to seek God's plan for your life. You know, Sergeant, God has a plan that He designed especially for you and unless you do what He wants you to do, you will never be all you can be.

“His plan for you is special and specific and if you read His Word, seek guidance from Him and wait for His directions, you will become all you can be because you will become all that He wants you to be – now and throughout eternity.”

Prayer: Help us, Father, to be all You intended us to be and to be faithful in fulfilling the plan You have designed for each one of us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Looking To Our Leader

Alexander the Great had been leading his army across the hot scorching sand for days. He and his men had parched throats, scorched skin, eyes crusted with particles of sand and muscles that had difficulty in responding to orders to move forward.

Early one morning as the sun was beginning to rise, his advance guard appeared bringing him a container of water. His troops watched with envy as he accepted it. Then slowly and with great deliberation he poured it on the sand and said, “It is not right for one to drink when so many are thirsty.” He did not have enough water to give each man a sip, but he gave them the inspiration to continue their journey to victory and success.

Later they found the water they needed to survive. But that day they saw a leader who loved them and they followed him willingly.

When we look at Jesus, our leader, we see in Him the supreme example of how we are to live and what we are to do. The Christian life involves discipline and determination, commitment and conviction. It requires us to focus on our calling on Christ and a willingness to endure hardships for His sake and in the strength we receive from Him. Our endurance in the Christian life will depend on our keeping our eyes upon Him and Him alone. If we take our eyes off of Him we will stumble, fall and fail. If we allow our eyes to remain fixed on the circumstances that surround us or if we willingly let temptation overcome us, we will not be able to finish the race He has called us to run.

We can successfully run the race that is before us “by keeping our eyes on Jesus on whom our faith depends from start to finish.” We run for Him and with Him and finally, to Him!

Prayer: Our Father, we ask for Your strength as we run the race that You have set before us which we know will lead us into Your presence and the place You have reserved for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Defeating Denial

It was a hard-fought football game and a tough loss for the home team. Following the game a father asked his son, “Why did your team lose?”

“Well, Dad,” he answered, “the other team found a hole in our line and took advantage of it.”

“Why didn’t you close the hole?” asked the father.

“I tried, Dad,” he explained, “but I just couldn’t do it. I wasn’t strong enough.”

It is much easier to blame others for our failures than to admit that we may be the cause of a problem. That is called denial. But denial only keeps the problem going and the solution beyond our reach. Once we can admit “what is,” with God’s help we can deal with everything that He brings into our lives.

If we are able to admit that we have failed at anything or something large or small, whether it occurred yesterday or today, we can begin to learn from our experiences. And from our experiences comes insight; from insight comes wisdom; from wisdom comes learning; and from learning comes the lessons that we can apply to all of the opportunities that God brings into our lives.

Paul said that “I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Whatever God brings into our lives is His will. And the strength we need to face and be victorious over anything and everything that He brings to us, will come from Him and our commitment to doing it. We cannot expect His strength to subdue things that do not concern Him or are not in His will for our lives. But if we are doing what He would have us to do, the victory will come from Him.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to look to You for the strength we need to do what You would have us to do and to be willing to give You the credit for our success. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.