"Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." (Romans 7:25 ESV)
To all those struggling out there. To all those who are trying with all their strength to live a righteous, godly life. To all those who know God's word, but can't seem to keep it or firmly believe it. To all those weary of life...
You can't do it.
Which is the reason we die in Christ. We die, so that we can be raised to life in his power. Because his power alone is able to walk through fire, and live a perfect life. He WAS the Word, and he gives faith to believe. He alone gives rest to all who are weary, and knows our every need.
In a world saying "you can do anything," learn to say "I can't." Not in an attitude of frustration or despair, but with humility.
Am I saying you shouldn't try your hardest to live a godly life or obey the Word. Not at all! Rather that you should try earnestly, but with the realization that it is impossible to succeed without Christ. We often (foolishly, ignorantly) try to fix our sins or problems ourselves. It is in these difficult times we must surrender.
Yes I say difficult, because in those moments of frustration or despair, we often don't see past our prayers. Hopelessness and fear seem more familiar than peace and faith. We think we have done all we can, yet we feel as though we have gotten nowhere. Drained, depressed, just wanting to sleep - can you relate?
We have to realize that we can't fix our brokenness - only God can. We have to earnestly pray that God will bring us to surrender whatever is burdening us. Because try as we might, we can't, on our own strength, cast our burdens on the Lord. He must take them from us.
Thankfully, our God is not puny. He is MIGHTY to save! He is able to lift out burdens and break our chains! He brings us to the point of surrender; we do not find it on our own.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Through the Fire
Whenever I am feeling downhearted, I run to Isaiah 43. There I am reminded that I am cherished by God. I am refreshed and satisfied by his holy word. Tonight, he used that beloved chapter yet again.
On the verge of throwing myself a little pity party (for no justifiable reason), I turned to Isaiah 43 and started copying it down into my journal. After just verse two, I stopped.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2
As I read, "When you walk through fire," I was reminded of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace. Let's revisit that story, shall we?
Read: Daniel 3:1-4:3
These young men (probably teenagers) did not know that God would save them. They could not see the outcome of their situation. Just like we can't today. Regardless, they chose to trust God even though things looked like they were about to get fried. They did not just simply know that God was with them; they believed he was. They were living out the contentment in Christ Paul discusses in Philippians 4:11-13.
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." So many people take this verse out of context and twist it to mean all sorts of things it doesn't. The testimony of these three young men so perfectly depicts the true meaning of Philippians 4:13.
They spoke up to the king saying, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Guys. Seriously. They just told the king that they didn't even need to answer him.... the king. And then they don't even put up a fight when they are bound and led to their death.
This story is so easy to read as just that - a story. But imagine with me for a moment. You're speaking up to and defying not only your boss, but the king... the man who just gave you a second chance so you wouldn't have to die. But you choose death over disobeying God. So the king, who is now furious, multiplies the harshness of your death penalty. You are roughly and tightly bound with ropes and hauled into the fire - but you don't resist.
I believe this is what Paul means when he says, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." It means that I can face life or death with obedience to Christ, with courage, and with strength because I know my life is in God's hands. Not only that, but I can walk through rising waters and blazing fires and know that God is walking with me.
I thank God that he is with me, not only in the river and fire, but also in the quiet nights. The nights I just need to be reminded I'm cherished. The nights I need to be satisfied by his Word.
I praise him because he is faithful.
On the verge of throwing myself a little pity party (for no justifiable reason), I turned to Isaiah 43 and started copying it down into my journal. After just verse two, I stopped.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2
As I read, "When you walk through fire," I was reminded of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace. Let's revisit that story, shall we?
Read: Daniel 3:1-4:3
These young men (probably teenagers) did not know that God would save them. They could not see the outcome of their situation. Just like we can't today. Regardless, they chose to trust God even though things looked like they were about to get fried. They did not just simply know that God was with them; they believed he was. They were living out the contentment in Christ Paul discusses in Philippians 4:11-13.
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." So many people take this verse out of context and twist it to mean all sorts of things it doesn't. The testimony of these three young men so perfectly depicts the true meaning of Philippians 4:13.
They spoke up to the king saying, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Guys. Seriously. They just told the king that they didn't even need to answer him.... the king. And then they don't even put up a fight when they are bound and led to their death.
This story is so easy to read as just that - a story. But imagine with me for a moment. You're speaking up to and defying not only your boss, but the king... the man who just gave you a second chance so you wouldn't have to die. But you choose death over disobeying God. So the king, who is now furious, multiplies the harshness of your death penalty. You are roughly and tightly bound with ropes and hauled into the fire - but you don't resist.
I believe this is what Paul means when he says, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." It means that I can face life or death with obedience to Christ, with courage, and with strength because I know my life is in God's hands. Not only that, but I can walk through rising waters and blazing fires and know that God is walking with me.
I thank God that he is with me, not only in the river and fire, but also in the quiet nights. The nights I just need to be reminded I'm cherished. The nights I need to be satisfied by his Word.
I praise him because he is faithful.
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