Christ Gives Us Strength

                                        "The duties that God, in an ordinary way,
                                          requires at our hands are not proportioned
                                          to what strength we have in ourselves,
                                          but to what help and relief is laid up for
                                          us in Christ."
                                                                           John Owen


                                                             *******************


          The strength and wisdom of men are nothing compared to the strength and wisdom
     of God.


                                         "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men,
                                          and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
                                                                               1 Corinthians 1:25


          God receives the deserved glory when we use the strength that He supplies
     to do His will.


                                         "As each has received a gift, use it to serve
                                          one another, as good stewards of God's
                                          varied grace:  whoever speaks, as one who
                                          speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God;
                                          whoever serves, as one who serves by the
                                          strength that God supplies -- in orer that in
                                          everything God may be glorified through
                                          Jesus Christ.  To him belong glory and
                                          dominion forever and ever.  Amen."
                                                                         1 Peter 4:10-11


                                                                  ************


          God gives His people strength to go through any situation, both good and bad.


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


          This verse is not to be taken literally.  For instance, "all things" does not mean
     that the believer is able to lift 10,000 pounds, or walk on water.

           John MacArthur writes:


                                          "Paul uses a Greek verb that means 'to be strong'
                                           or 'to have strength.'  He had strength to withstand
                                           'all things,' including both difficulty and prosperity
                                           in the material world."

                           (For example Philippians 4:11-13)


                                           "Not that I am speaking of being in need,
                                            for 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.

                                            I can do all things through him who strengthens me."


          MacArthur continues:


                                         "The Greek word for strengthen means 'to put power in.'
                                           Because believers are in Christ (Galatians 2:20), he
                                           infuses them with his strength to sustain them until
                                           they receive some provision."

          (For example Ephesians 3:16-20)


                                            " ... that according to the riches of his glory he may
                                              grant you to be strengthened with power through
                                              his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may
                                              dwell in your hearts through faith -- that you,
                                              being rootedand grounded in love, may have
                                              strength to comprehend with all the saints what
                                              is the breadth and length and height and depth,
                                              and to know the love of Christ that surpasses
                                              knowledge, that you may be filled with all the
                                              fullness of God.

                                              Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly
                                              than all that we ask or think, according to the
                                              power at work within us; to him be glory in the
                                              church and in Christ Jesus throughout all
                                              generations, forever and ever.  Amen."


          (Also 2 Corinthians 12:10)


                                              "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with
                                               weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions,
                                               and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I
                                               am strong."


                                                               **************


          Through Christ's strength, believers are able to thrive through anything,
     no matter the situation.