Be Empowered

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'. The Apostle Paul knew this all too well. In his life he suffered for Christ's sake, was beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, placed in prisons, was hungry and cold yet his testimony was 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' This was not an expression of pride in his own abilities but a declaration of the strength provided by Christ. The Greek word for strengthen in this verse is - ἐνδυναμόω Which means to empower. My friend Christ empowers us and gives us the ability to face whatever circumstance we are faced with.

The Amplified Bible translates it 'I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. The Living Bible puts it this way 'for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.' We are not alone, it is through Christ we are made strong. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:10 'Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'

The power of Christ in Paul's life empowered him to live as unto the Lord. And so it is for the life that lies ahead of you and me. Paul accomplished great things for God even though he suffered much. Fixing his eyes on Christ he said 'I can' and so can you and I.