Monday Morning Encouragement -- Christ In Me!

 

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

American missionary Fanny Crosby was one of the most prolific hymn writers in history, writing more than 5,000 hymns and gospel songs. She was also blind. At the age of six weeks Fanny caught a cold which resulted in inflammation of her eyes. It's believed that the treatment she received caused her blindness, however it may be have been congenital. Of her affliction Fanny said, “It seemed intended by  the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life,

and I thank Him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.”

Fanny had learned to be content with her blindness, to see it as a gift from God. What a remarkable testimony!

We find another remarkable testimony in Paul's  letter to the Philippians:

"I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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." (Philippians 4:11b-12)

And what was the secret to Paul's contentment?  "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) It was through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that Paul, as well as Fanny, learned to be content with whatever God allowed in their lives.

So often Philippians 4:13 is used incorrectly, as Pastor David Gruzik points out:

"Unfortunately, many people take this verse out of context and use it to reinforce a 'triumphalist' or 'super-Christian' mentality, instead of seeing that the strength of Jesus in Paul’s life was evident in his ability to be content when he did suffer need."

Christ is able to meet all our needs, and learning to be content with whatever we receive from Him is how we honor our Lord and exalt Him before others. We are able to do this through Him who gives us the strength to do so!

Today's music video Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me performed live by Selah is filled with biblical truth. I hope you take the time to watch/listen and praise Jesus for His great gift of grace.

I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.