Episode 99 - Strength at All times

And yes we gain strength in our times of need , we also gain strength thru the fruit of the Spirit thru Christ

Philippians 4;13

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Hello and welcome back to Shine. And this week we are talking a little bit about our go-to Bible verses. I'm sure many of you have the ones that you have remembered, recited, uh, have it on recall when you need it. So this week I'm talking uh a little bit about the ones that are my go-to, but you know, let's face it, life is ever evolving and changing. So you could probably ask me next week, and I might have a completely different list. Um today is Philippians 4 verse 13. You all know it. I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And as I really look at that verse and kind of break it down, I know personally when I read that, I understand that yes, it's through his salvation, um, it's through his crucifixion, his resurrection, that we receive grace, that we have received mercy, and we do gain strength from that. But I also think about those moments when I say it or I need it, which are many. I could probably recite that verse about every minute, every moment of the day. But it really leads me back to how does he strengthen me in those moments, and we know he does that through the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and I think about the times when um I am feeling chaos, when I am feeling out of control, and it's through peace that he strengthens me, when I am full of um sorrow, um, when I am uh despondent, um it is through his joy that he brings me, whether it is through the little uh beautiful um things that I am able to recognize in the day or a person's kind words or a beautiful moment. They always come through. It is through patience. I know I am not a very patient person. I am trying to do better with that, but we know in times of waiting it can be very difficult, but through the Holy Spirit and through patience, I am able to be strengthened in those times and to make it through. We have times where let's face it, I want to do and sometimes I want to say a lot of things that are in my mind and heart. And it's through Christ who sent the Spirit to us that self-control allows me a little bit more pause and wisdom and discernment and times to maybe not say or do certain things that um may reap some negative effects later, right? Um and he strengthens me in those moments because I know it is not under my own volition, but it's through Christ and through the Spirit. There are times he strengthens me when I want to be coarse and abrasive, um, irritable with people, with situations, and it's through gentleness and kindness and goodness that I am strengthened to withstand those urges to do that. And of course, there are times that I don't know how this is going to resolve, how God is going to turn this around, but I know it's the faithfulness and the hope of who he is that I am able to be strengthened in those moments. And of course, lastly, right, what's the what's the last one? It's through love. And I know I can do absolutely all things possible, impossible, seen, unseen, not just through faith, but through the love that I have through him and through the love that I know he has in me. And so I know many of us will use that um understanding of being strengthened in being able to do all things in in times of our dire need or illness or um loss of a job or traumatic situation. And yes, absolutely those are the moments, but I have really learned to understand that I can do all things in absolutely everything that I do and how I walk and in how I talk and how I show up in this world, with the understanding that he strengthens me with those fruit of the spirit. And I have those moments, and I will say that, and I will ask the spirit, okay, what is it that I really need right now? Um, I know I can do all things through you, but what is the fruit of the spirit? What is a tool that you really need me to concentrate on to get through this meeting, to get through this interaction, to get through this sleepless night, to get through the tough conversation in the hospital room, to get through discord in a relationship. What is it that I know you have for me to get through any and all of these situations? Please guide me and show me. And as I always say, you know, life keeps lifing. So this is one that most definitely stays close to my heart in my mind, um, and quickly off my tongue in prayer. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.