TDE JANUARY 2017 EDITION
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THE DAILY ENCOURAGER<br />
THE DAILY ENCOURAGER<br />
January 30<br />
Today’s Scripture<br />
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”<br />
Philippians 4:13<br />
I Can Do All Things<br />
This is one of my favorite Scriptures but out of context, Philippians 4:13 is<br />
used as a blank check promise for whatever is desired. But in context, it<br />
is a verse about contentment. It’s not about your dreams coming true or<br />
your goals being met. Rather it’s about being joyful, satisfied, and steadfast<br />
even when life is hard and your circumstances seem impossible. It reminds<br />
me that although I may have difficulties, through Jesus Christ I have been<br />
empowered with strength for every battle that may try to defeat me.<br />
This is not a verse about being empowered to change your circumstances;<br />
rather, it is a verse about relying on God’s power in order to be content<br />
in the midst of circumstances you can’t change. When the Apostle Paul<br />
says, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, he is speaking<br />
about contentment. In any circumstance, he had learned to be content<br />
by depending on Christ who gave him the strength to persevere in any<br />
situation.<br />
You can do all things through Christ! The fact that you have failed in<br />
achieving your dreams doesn’t mean it is over for you! You are equipped<br />
to do whatever God has called or commanded you to do! If He has put it in<br />
your heart, He will put whatever you need in your hand, and the Scriptures<br />
promises that everything you set your hand to will prosper when we<br />
depend on Christ’s strength and not when we depend on our own strength.<br />
Depending on Christ’s strength is a very freeing way to live. We can relax<br />
knowing that no matter what comes our way, He will strengthen us with<br />
the right hand of His righteousness towards good works.<br />
What is it that you can do through Christ? You can be content no matter<br />
what the situation. Whether you have plenty or he you have nothing,<br />
whether you come in first place with a gold medal or he you comes in last<br />
place, whether he makes the team or he doesn’t make the team. Whatever<br />
the circumstance, whatever he may have or not have, Paul learned to be<br />
content, to be joyful. Why? Because I can do all things through Christ who<br />
strengthens me!<br />
May you be encouraged not to achieve great victories in life, but to also find<br />
joy even in the midst of defeat.<br />
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