I can do all this through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. - Serenity Prayer
I used to believe that Jesus wasn’t a Hero.
A Savior, yes, a Shepherd, yes but a hero, no.
The problem with that is it is impossible for me to get right if I have Jesus wrong.
You and I are image bearers. Sin has marred us. Christ has redeemed us and we are being restored. Restored into what? Restored into who? Answer: The strong and unique way, the beautiful and significant way we bear God’s image … The truest you.
Discernment is a critical ingredient to our comeback. Each of us is on a comeback … becoming who we truly are. With God’s help and by his foundational work of the Cross, Resurrection and Ascension, God is working us out. Salvation was and is only the beginning. There is much work to be done in the remodeling of me. How I think, what I believe … actions and behaviors too. How many lies have we been offered? How many lies have we believed about ourselves, God and others? There is a lot of work to be done and the good news is … God is all about it.
So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. - Philippians 2:12
Be encouraged. Be engaged. God wants to partner with you to grow you up, and to give you and me the strength to play our parts well in the Larger Story He is unfolding.
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who [a]infuses inner strength into me; I am [b]self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. the one who strengthens me.[32] - Philippians 4:13 (AMP)
The Daily Prayer - Paragraph 5
Jesus, I also embrace you as my new life,[25] my holiness and sanctification, and I receive all the work and triumph of your Resurrection, whereby I have been raised with you to a new life, to walk in newness of life, dead to sin and alive to God.[26] I am crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.[27] I now take my place in your Resurrection, whereby I have been made alive with you,[28] I reign in life through you.[29] I now put on the new man[30] in all holiness and humility, in all righteousness and purity and truth. Christ is now my life,[31] the one who strengthens me.[32] Holy Spirit, apply to me the fullness of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ for me. I receive it with thanks and give it total claim to my life.
An excerpt from The Daily Prayer Memory Verse Cards.
