King James Version
King James Version
Our vision is to see Christians highly effective in their ministry so that Christ s Kingdom is strengthened and expanded. Barry J. Keurulainen Copyright 2018 CTA, Inc. 1625 Larkin Williams Rd. Fenton, MO 63026 www.ctainc.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of CTA, Inc. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible. ISBN 978-1-943216-65-9 PRINTED IN THAILAND C h a p t e r 1 : Strong in Christ I can do all things through Christ. Philippians 4:13
I CAN DO ALL THINGS! Really? But what happens when you can t when you try your hardest, but you just can t get it done? This great verse does not promise we can do whatever we put our minds to or that everything will always go our way. However, it does promise that something much better and far more glorious will be ours, even when we fail to accomplish the impossible. In this chapter, we will ponder and pray over these words from God. We ll seek to find out what all things might include and discover the promise offered to us every day in Christ. 4 5
A THERMOSTAT Read Romans 6:1 6, 11 Be followers together of me. Philippians 3:17 Some people are a thermometer; some are a thermostat. A thermometer doesn t change anything. It modifies itself, based on its surroundings. On the other hand, a thermostat creates change. St. Paul was a thermostat. In all the changes he faced, he stayed on course. Instead of being changed by circumstances, he created the change. Where did he get such strength? He found it in Christ. Just consider how he approached life: He could accept all things knowing God had a plan. He could do all things with Christ by his side. He had all things because salvation from his Savior was enough. People who approach life like Paul have a way of creating positive change in any situation just like a thermostat. You can live in abundance without losing your way, in Christ. You can be laid off and go hungry and rejoice, in Christ. You can get cancer and become better rather than bitter, in Christ. You can be treated unfairly and yet remain a victor and not a victim, in Christ. Set your attitude to this: a focus, not on what you can do, but on what Christ can accomplish through you. What s next? Think about a time when earthly circumstances threatened to shake your faith in God. Amidst all of life s uncertainties, there is one place where we can find unwavering strength Jesus Christ. Consider how he acts as your ultimate thermostat, never changing, but always guiding you forward in faith toward your heavenly Father. PRAYER STARTER: Savior, forgive me when I waver up and down like a thermometer. Teach me to stand strong... 6 7
GROWING IN TRIALS Read Romans 5:1 2 We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:3 5 The diagnosis wasn t good lung cancer. As I sat down with my sick friend, I said, I don t know what the outcome will be whether you will beat this or not. I can promise you certain things your tribulation will produce patience and from patience your experience will grow and from that, hope will flow, a hope that will not disappoint. All the while, God will pour truckloads of love into your heart. Is that promise enough for you as you face what you are about to face? He responded, Yes. It is. It is enough. My words were not mere wishful thinking. Never-ending love and mercy through Jesus Christ are the sure promises of God himself. Paul s words in today s verse essentially echo, I can do all things... even when it s difficult. God doesn t always remove the struggle, but he is continually strengthening us in our trials. Is that enough for you? What s next? Think about sufferings from your past. How did God use them to bring out strength and growth in you? Is a friend or family member suffering tribulation today? How can you use your past struggles to encourage that person to trust in our Savior? PRAYER STARTER: Thank you, Lord, for always standing by me. Give me comfort in tough times... 8 9
IN THE MIDST OF THINGS Read Romans 8:31 39 I can do all things through Christ. Philippians 4:13 Benjamin Franklin once said, You can do anything you set your mind to! It sounds good, doesn t it? Plenty of people told me that growing up. Life tells me something different. In this Scripture, Paul is not telling believers to dream bigger dreams. He is telling us that we can endure in the face of dream-crushing defeat. He is not saying we can conquer the world. Instead, he wants us to know that when it feels like the world has conquered us, we can prevail. Paul says, I can do all things... What things does he mean? He doesn t mean everything. We will be knocked down, but when we are, we can fall back into the strong arms of Jesus. We can hold steady, even in the midst of defeat. The word Paul used in this verse for can do means strong, to be able. What he means by it is this: We are able to be strong enough to endure defeat because our Savior s nail-pierced hands have reached down into the pain and chaos of our lives. He promises to be our everlasting anchor in the midst of all life s storms. What a comfort! What s next? What storms are you weathering right now? Think about your anchor Jesus Christ. How is he holding you steady with his grace, mercy, and forgiveness? What strength do you find in him? Consider how his power can help you endure the trials you face today. PRAYER STARTER: Jesus, I am weak. You are strong. I need your help and strength to... 10 11
A PRAYER FOR STRENGTH In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6 Holy God, Holy and strong, Holy and immortal, Have mercy on me a sinner. You are holy, the only God. You are almighty. Teach me to be still and know you as my Father, the Father of my Savior, Jesus Christ. You are the King of heaven and earth. In you and you alone, I am able to accept all things and do all things and have all things. In you alone, when I am weak, then I am strong. Now, I ask, heavenly Father, give me the strength to place my trust in your achievements and not my own. In Jesus name. Amen. 12