Devotional Christian » strength

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Patricia Day — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:31:58 +0000

Did you know this?

From 1558 to 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

- The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

- Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

- Three French hens stood for Faith, Hope and Love.

- The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

- The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

- The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

- Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.

- The eight maids a-milking were the eight Beatitudes.

- Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

- The ten Lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

- The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Disciples.

- The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

MERRY (Twelve Days of) CHRISTMAS!

And so, let us remember, that it is not OK to say “Happy Holiday” – when did that all come about?

As CHRISTmas approaches, let us remember that it is a Christian celebration of Christ’s birth! In order to give Him the praise and the glory – let us remember to say loudly and clearly to those we meet; to those we send greeting cards to; to them all let us say: HAPPY CHRISTMAS one and all!

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

Building A House On A Strong Foundation

Hariette Petersen — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:58:44 +0000

We are building a house. We decided not to do the traditional wood, brick and mortar. We’re using steel. We have steel beams, steel studs, steel roof and steel siding. We are putting together a home that has already been through the fire and poured out to become stronger for it. Our foundation is made of concrete poured on top of hundreds of steel rods which reinforce the stability and strength of the concrete. Without a firm foundation, the steel girders and posts would not stand alone. A few Oklahoma wind gusts would level our house. Instead it is secured with thousands of steel bolts driven deep into the concrete. Likewise, Christians are secured to Christ as the foundation of His church. The church is strengthened by the indwelling power of God. We merely stand bolted to Him.

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22

God uses us to build His kingdom. We are His church. We are a portion of the beams, the walls, the siding. Jesus is our foundation, just as our house’s foundation is cement poured into a foundation of more steel rods. I think sometimes, me? I am the church for whom Jesus gave His life? I am the walls, the siding, the beams, the roof? Yes, and just as the materials used to build our house were put through the fire and tempered to make the strongest steel, the Lord gives us His power through His Spirit to withstand the trials of life…not that we can boast faith, wisdom or strength, no. Our endurance is because of the power the Lord gives us as we persevere and look to Him in faith.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,” 1 Corinthians 3:16

When storms come, we are secured in our faith. When death pays its visit, we are secured by the blood of the Lamb and assured of eternal life with God where it cannot be taken away. Because the Spirit of God makes His dwelling place within us, He strengthens us greater than any steel beam could ever be strengthened.

Do you ever feel worthless in the kingdom of God? Ever wonder whether what you do or don’t do matters in the scheme of things? It matters. You matter. Jesus gave His life to ensure it matters. You are a part of His church. Open the windows of your life and let others see Jesus in you–the spirit who lives within you. Let people see the fruit the Spirit gives you. Peace, love, joy, kindness, gentleness, self-control and hope. When storms buffet and threaten your faith and commitment, remember your foundation is secure in Christ. No one and nothing is stronger than He.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

Re-Establishing Our Boundaries

Dionna Sanchez — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:45:01 +0000

What do we partake in, in this life that is not wholesome and good? What things do we allow into our hearts, homes, and lives that is impure?

It’s so easy to make concessions in life. We rationalize that that movie won’t hurt to watch just one time or that “hit” music has a good beat so we can ignore the words. But instead, we are letting our guard down and starting to desensitize ourselves to right and wrong.

“I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.” Psalm 101:3

If God does not or cannot approve anything that is vile and He will have no part in it – what does that mean for us if we choose to let it into our lives? We are supposed to stand out from the rest of the world. Be different. Set apart. If we listen to the same music, read the same books, wear the same clothes….how are we setting a standard? How are we setting boundaries for our lives that God would want for us?

I know it’s hard. I have to reevaluate where I stand…often. I’ve felt uneasy about certain decisions and then had to go back and tell my children that we were making a change and that I was doing it based on my morals and values. It’s so easy to go off the path that God has in mind for us.

I want God to look on me with approval. I want Him to take part in all that I do in my life. In order for that to happen, I have to let my faith not just take up a section in my heart, but invade it and flow out to every area of my life. It has to be the scope of which I filter everything that I take in.

We can rationalize and give in all we want to the things of this world. But God has clearly set the standard for our lives. It’s time to start regaining the territory we’ve allowed to be lost and realize that we are better off without listening to that music, wearing those outfits, or watching those things. It’s time we start feeling better about who we are as people; knowing that we are regaining a purity that has been so easily given away.

Vile is a strong word. Let’s not let anything into our homes or hearts that God could ever construe as vile. For if we do, we can’t expect Him to be a part of it….or of us.
~ Dionna Sanchez is a freelance writer. You can contact her at madetomom@yahoo.com.

No related posts.

Thumbs Up for Rock-n-Roll

Matthew Fry — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 21:05:44 +0000

“13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ” -Philippians 4:13

Watch this video of a little kid saying something we often need to hear….

What do you have in your life right now that you keep telling yourself you can’t do it? Is it an addiction you need to overcome? Is it a relationship you need to end? Is it asking someone forgiveness?

It is easy for us to beat ourselves up over our failures and mistakes. When I heard the words of this little boy I felt inspired. I felt inspired that I don’t have to settle for feeling like a failure. The innocents of this boy reminds us that we all had been in his shoes before. We all wanted to quit learning how to ride our bike or tie our shoes because it was too hard, but we figured it out. We kept at it and we can now ride bikes and tie our own shoes.

Paul said similar words to the church in Philippi. That Christ gives us the power to overcome those obstacles in our lives that seem to hold us back. The addiction, the bitterness, the jealousy, the forgiveness. Christ gives us strength to face the world.

So let the innocence of this little boy remind you that YOU CAN DO IT! Also let it remind you “THUMBS UP FOR ROCK AND ROLL!”

We Are Warriors

Dionna Sanchez — Fri, 27 May 2011 20:31:38 +0000

We are warriors. I think sometimes we forget that. We remember the “peacekeeping, kind” part about being a believer and Christian. We forget that we are to fight a battle. We forget that we are to stand up and speak out.

It’s much easier to remember the gentle and peaceable part.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

God calls us into action. We were never meant to stay behind our locked doors at home and not get involved in this world that He has placed us in. On the contrary; we were meant to be engaged and to fight for what is right.

It starts with doing right ourselves, of course. Then it goes onto defending those around us who are being oppressed. Sometimes that oppressed person could be us. Would we want to stand alone – or would we want our brothers and sisters in the Lord to surround us and support us? We need to be there for one another – for the weaker person; for we never know when that day comes around that that “weaker” person is us.

We are also to protect and take care of those who need it. The orphans, the widows. Those who have no one to stand in the gap for them. The homeless, the starving. There are so many out there who need help. Who need love. Who need to know somebody gives a darn whether they live and breathe or not.

Yes, we are called into a battle. We are called to use our voices and to use whatever else God has given us to fight and seek justice; remembering in the process that we can fight for it – but if it escapes us – God will be the sole judge and jury at times. That’s hard to accept when things seem so unfair – but His hands are much better at handling things than mine are. All I can do is fight to the best of my abilities and know that I have tried.

Tried. Have you tried? Have you tried to be a warrior for the Lord or have you been content being the peacekeeper and staying behind your safe walls?

It’s time that we each stand up. Stand up for what is right. For if we don’t – we can’t expect anyone else to either – and then where will be?

~ Dionna Sanchez

http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com

God-Given Strength

Dionna Sanchez — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:24:36 +0000

Strength. Sometimes I strive for it in the wrong way. I try to muster up my own courage, I try to be stronger, or squelch any fear I may be having. I try. I try. I try.

And it’s all wrong. That’s why true strength can often elude us. WE are doing the trying. True strength and power comes from the Lord. It is HIS might that helps us.

Isaiah 30:15 “Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me.”

So many things I get wrong when I do all the striving and trying on my own.

“I.” I do the trying. I need to lay down the “I” and instead replace it with “HIM.” I need to depend on the Lord instead of depending on myself. If that means I need to acknowledge my weakness and humanness, then that’s what God wants for me to realize that it’s not by my own doing that I excel. The glory goes to God alone for getting me through life’s battles and giving me the courage and strength I need to be victorious in them.

I need to settle down. Often we can become little whirlwinds of activity trying to control the circumstances in our lives. We spin into motion trying to solve this or that. God often wants us to settle down and be still. Letting Him speak to us or move on our behalf.

God’s been teaching me a lot about His strength in the past year. He’s been showing me that so often we go at it backwards. When you want to be first, you need to be last. When you want to be at the top, you need to start at the bottom, and when you want to be strong, you must admit you are weak. Only then can we create room for God to work in us and FOR us.

When You Are Overloaded

Hariette Petersen — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:00:23 +0000

I once broke a washing machine by adding a few pairs of jeans into my load of towels. I wanted to save time. I wanted to conserve water, laundry soap, and electricity. However, sometimes I spin my wheels with all my efforts. I end up just like my washtub, stuck in the spin cycle.

When I broke our washer, I realized that overloading is not a good thing. Overloading machinery is very similar to overloading our lives. When we overload our lives with work, constant activities, we often fail to leave space for deeper cleansing breaths and relaxing meditation. We may try to take shortcuts to squeeze in a few more minutes but the shortcuts simply cut into quality and effectiveness. I crammed another pair of jeans into the tub, but it didn’t get the clothes clean; it didn’t take less time. It took more time and even cost me money for repairs.

Are you trying to cram more into an overloaded life? Do you add to your day and fail to eliminate something else? What is suffering because of that? who is suffering?

Jesus understood how we can get overloaded with responsibilities. The apostle Mark references one time the apostles returned from a mission trip with all kinds of stories of all they’d done and taught:

“And He said to them, come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest a while–for many were coming and going, and they had not even leisure enough to eat.

And they went away in a boat to a solitary place by themselves.” Mark 6:30-32

Sometimes we need to take ourselves out of the schedules, the work, the appointments, the crowds and get away. Then rest. And pray…commune with God.

Do you lay down to sleep and your brain is so overloaded with tomorrow you think about things you didn’t get done today (or worse–you’re regretting things you did do and mistakes you may have made)? When your system should be at rest, is it whirring and groaning just as my washer motor did when it couldn’t move the heavy load I’d placed upon it?

Let go of some stuff. “Lay aside every weight.” If necessary, get out a notebook and write down the stuff you need to stop worrying about, things you can eliminate from your schedule. Cross off some of the activities. You can’t possibly function forever with your body in overdrive.

Jesus spent a whole night in prayer after he’d spent a whole day preaching and teaching and healing. Sometimes we forget we are human. We cannot do what we need to do without His sustaining strength. The disciples spent time and energy ministering to others, but the Lord knew they needed refueling. It’s best we prioritize our lives in such a way we have plenty of time to talk with our Father. Let Him know we need His help. If anything needs to be written into our day’s planner, it is time with God. Seek first the kingdom of God. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to come away and rest with You. Restore us in our weakness. Replenish our strength in You.

10 Bible Verses about Strength

Tony Kummer — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:35:12 +0000

Do you need an inspirational Bible quote about God’s strength? Then read these powerful verses from God’s Word. They are wonderful for personal meditation or to share with a friend who needs to recall the strength that God can provide. All quotes below are from the English Standard Version of the Bible.

10 Inspirational Bible Verses about Strength

Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Habakkuk 3:19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Philippians 4:12-13 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. (13) I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1Peter 4:11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Strength in Weakness

Emily Riley — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:15:39 +0000

Do you remember the “opposite game”? When I was a kid, I used to play it often with friends. “Yes” meant “no”; “cold” meant “hot”; and “I’m tired and need a nap” meant “I’m full of energy and am dying to go outside and play.” As a kid, that game was always fun for me. I’m not exactly sure why… maybe its just my quirky personality; maybe I just found humor in the irony of the game itself.

The Christian life can sometimes feel like the opposite game since we often find ourselves pursuing the opposite of what the world pursues and shunning what the world values. Our human nature tells us that self-sufficiency is the greatest goal we could achieve, but Christ says, “be weak, and find your strength in Me.” The world says, “trust your own ability and talents.” God says, “do not lean on your own understanding, but trust Me to direct your paths.” Our culture tells us to value property and possessions, but Jesus reminds us that this world is not our home.

What the world sees as weakness, God sees as strength… what the world sees as freedom is really slavery to sin whereas true obedience to Christ (which to the world would look like slavery) is really true freedom. To the world, the gospel seems foolish, but to the Christian, it is the most precious truth ever revealed.

I often find myself struggling with this dichotomy. The approval to be “great” in the worlds eyes is so pervasive… it invades my job, my friendships, my purchases and so many other areas of my life. But God’s view of greatness is humility and dependence on Him. When we are at our weakest, we find the greatest strength in the power He provides.

The Apostle Paul mentioned this in his second letter to the Corinthian church. Paul pleaded with God for healing and strength and God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” [then Paul said:] “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” —2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Let us strive to be content with our weakness and look to God for our strength. What are some areas where God is calling you to play the “opposite game” and live for what He values instead of what the world values?

God’s Cure for Discouragement

Chris Roberts — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:48:59 +0000

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1

Christian, do you suffer discouragement? If so, Scripture’s cure is to give thanks to the Lord. Are you burdened and distressed? Give thanks. Do you face trials as high as the sky? Give thanks.

In this verse we have the hope and encouragement we need to face any burden in life. Give thanks to the Lord. Why? For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. He is good. He is merciful. He is loving. And his steadfast love, his covenant love, his sure and unfailing love, will endure forever.

One of the Devil’s chief tricks is to make us feel cut off from God. We are taught to rely on our feelings and when our feelings tell us that God has turned his back on us we think the end has come. But Christian, have hope. Though you lie in the pit of despair with demons howling around you, your God reigns and he is good and his steadfast love endures forever. You will be delivered from this trial, this test, this moment given to you so that by your obedience God’s glory might shine.

As you rejoice in the goodness and love of God you will soon realize that the sun has not gone down on your soul, that God shines as brilliantly as ever, that it was the enemies of God who tried to shield you from his radiance. The darkness rages against the light but cannot overcome it (John 1:5). God’s love shines still and it shines on all his children.

So give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Jesus Gives Us Strength To Obey

Chris Roberts — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:09:59 +0000

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8:11

Throughout the New Testament we are given the assurance that if we are in Christ we do not live by our own power. The battle between the flesh and the Spirit can be won because God is at work within us, giving us strength and life. He will win the day and we will be kept safe.

It is not our strength that makes us holy, it is not our effort that brings righteousness. We must work and we must act but we also must realize that the only reason we are able to work and act is because the Spirit of God has given us life and filled us with strength.

There are at least two opposing reasons why this is hard for us. On the one hand, we do not like to yield credit. If our obedience only comes because of God’s strength, we cannot claim any of the glory – all praise goes to God and him alone. On the other hand, we begin to feel that if obedience comes through God’s strength, nothing is required of us. We feel that when God is ready for us to be obedient, he will make us obedient. Meanwhile, we rest comfortably in our disobedience.

But God has not given us life so that we can claim credit or so that we can neglect his gift. We rejoice in his mercy and grace as we use the strength he gives us to fight sin and obey his commands.

And is his strength sufficient for you? Is he powerful enough to overcome your sin and temptations? “He has not given me much strength!” you might protest. “If he only gave me more of his strength I could overcome!” But Paul says he who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you… and in Ephesians 1:19-20 he tells us about the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us the same power with which he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand.

Christian, take heart in your struggle against sin. God has not held back his strength from you. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is now at work in your life. Surrender to his strength and live obediently to him.

The Gospel Sustains and Strengthens for Real Life

John Starke — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:07:55 +0000

“O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me” (Psalm 3:1).

David writes Psalm 3 in the midst of his battle with his own son, Absalom. His consuming thought is the growing number of enemies that surround him. They hate him and accuse him saying, “There is no salvation for him in God” (3:2). Yet, at the climax of this passage, David writes, “I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around” (3:6).

David’s courage was not a sustained belief in the power of himself. He did not search for his inner strength. Rather, David looked outside himself. David looked to the promises of God’s faithfulness to sustain him. The Lord was his shield and the lifter of his head (3:3). David even relied on the Lord to wake him in the morning, “I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me” (3:5).

The theme of looking outside yourself for strength that runs throughout the Psalms should instruct the Christian life. When Satan or our own flesh accuse us and say, “There is no salvation for him in God,” we must not look to our own accomplishments or holiness. Rather, we look to Christ. We look to the faithful, saving promises of the Lord in the Gospel.

The Gospel also gives peace to the mother of three small children, who is overwhelmed at the constant needs of her little dependents. She can know and the Gospel reminds her that her sins are forgiven, she is reconciled with God, and even the calm of a tranquil home cannot satisfy her the way the joy of the Lord can. She can say with the psalmist, “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound” (Psalm 4:7). Praise God for his faithfulness and the triumph of his Gospel, even for the strength to change the next diaper!