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

This was my go-to verse, the one I repeated over and over when my son was small.

Repeated through the not knowing.

Repeated through doctor appointments, therapies and surgeries.

Repeated through medical bills and not enough.

Repeated through diagnosis.

“I can do all things.”

A twenty year old new mom and a medically fragile baby.

He came home on a heart monitor with his first surgery scheduled.

Doctors said he might not survive and if he did, we were young, could have more children so we should put him someplace and not let it ruin our lives.

He would never walk, be blind and most likely have no intelligence.

I was offended.

Angry.

 

There was no way anyone could know his future.

They were wrong.

I was determined to overcome the odds.

A journey began to help this baby, my son, Joey, be all he could be.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11

I learned to be content.

With different.

With hard.

With an unknown future.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

I look back and want to hug that scared, determined young mom.

I’m so proud of her.

I don’t know how I did the things I did…

• Cared for a medically fragile baby.

• Said no to doctors and other “experts”.

• Figured out how to get what was needed with almost no resources.

• Navigated medical and insurance systems.

At twenty.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

All things.

Do I really understand what this means?

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.                Acts 1:8

I receive power.

Holy Spirit power.

It’s in me – I can access it anytime.

Usually I don’t.

Instead, I don my cape and matching “it’s up to me” mentality.

I try in my own power when I have access to His.

The Spirit that created everything.

The light of all mankind.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” (an evil spirit) He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:19-20

Nothing will be impossible.

I don’t understand or believe I have power.

If I don’t believe it, I don’t posses it.

Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”

God gives me His love power.

Love that covers a multitude of sins.

Love that breaks chains, sets captives free.

Love that heals and conquers death.

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.                    Romans 8:37

God equips me for battle.

Spirit sword.

Shield of faith.

Helmet of salvation.

The battle isn’t flesh and blood but against powers and rulers of the darkness of this world.

The battle for my mind.

The battle for my soul.

The enemy comes against me, his mission to seek and destroy.

Flaming arrows of lies.

• I’m not worthy.

• Not good enough.

• God doesn’t care.

• Guilt inducing sin reminders.

Holy Spirit on hold.

I walk in shame instead of victory.

Fear instead of faith.

Confused instead of confident.

How do I access the power of God – His Holy Spirit, freely given?

His power comes through knowing His Word.

God’s Word grows my belief and faith.

The idea isn’t to check a legalistic box but get His life saving, heart guarding truth in me.

Bonded and secure.

Rooted in truth.

His power comes through Believing His Word.

Spirit filled is faith filled.

Trust God intends to do wonderful things for His glory through me because that’s what the Bible teaches.

Expect the Holy Spirit to give the power God’s Word says it will.

Belief becomes the channel for God’s Spirit.

God supplies His Spirit and works miracles when I believe the Word of God with expectation.

His power comes when I ask.

The disciples devoted themselves to prayer first and then were filled with the Holy Spirit to speak God’s Word with boldness.

Paul prayed for the Ephesians to be strengthened with might through the Spirit and be filled with the fullness of God.

Luke 4:14 says Jesus came from His 40 day fast full of the Holy Spirit.

God may reserve extraordinary power for those who long for it in extraordinary ways. Click To Tweet

His power comes when I obey.

I seek Him and obey His Word before I feel His power.

To willfully go my own way is to disregard God’s word and silence the Spirit.

When I ignore God and His commands, my heart becomes resistant and unbelieving.

The channel for His power (belief) becomes clogged with worry, rationalization and the distractions of this world.

Unblocking angioplasty begins when I read God’s Word, battle my heart’s unbelief then pray and fast for His purpose, plan and power.

Power for His glory – not mine.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.                 Proverbs 3:5

Stumbling steps of fragile faith.

No advance power surge.

Imperfectly follow with mustard seed faith.

He generously fills, feeds, heals and saves.

Strength renewed.

God of grace.

Strong in His mighty power