Published by admin on 30 Jun 2017 at 01:14 pm
WITHOUT LIMITS
This morning I woke up and asked the LORD what to write about today, and He said, Philippians 4:13. There was no delay whatsoever in His reply. What does it say? “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Let’s pick that simple verse apart; He says I CAN. That word “can” is causative, not permissive, that means I am ABLE to. I don’t have to seek permission, it is already ordained that I CAN. DO; that word signifies “action”, not just intent. All things; how many is “ALL”? That signifies the “total amount of” the THINGS; that which I choose to do. THROUGH CHRIST now it gets interesting. We have to ask, “What things would Christ have me do, since I am able to do all things?” Has He empowered us to “do our own thing”? Or is there a higher calling for our life? WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME; well, seeing it is clearly CHRIST which strengtheneth me, then that empowerment is clearly to do Kingdom of God work, not my “own thing”.
Here’s where many get in trouble: they think they are free to act as they will, not realizing we are “bought with a price”, that is, the very blood of Christ Jesus that was shed for the remission of our sins, to redeem us from destruction, and has made us citizens in the Kingdom of God. Then, are we limited? NO! We are absolutely without limit as to what we can accomplish for the Kingdom of God. But before we go off doing “all things”, we must first find out what things God would have us do. That requires seeking His will, not our own will.
I’ve often told this story: when I was a little boy, I would ask my Dad every day, “What do you want me to do today?” Why? Because I loved my Dad, and wanted him to be pleased with me. But as I grew older, somewhere along the way I stopped asking Dad what he wanted me to do. Why? Because I became increasingly aware of “my will”, and it wasn’t a thing that I suddenly woke up one day and decided I’d had enough of “Dad’s will”, and no longer cared what Dad wanted me to do, it was just a part of growing up. We all do it.
Well, when we ask Christ Jesus to be our LORD and Savior, what do we start out asking? “What do You want me to do, LORD?” The problem is, somewhere along the way, we stop asking that question, because we think we don’t need anyone telling us what to do anymore. C’mon, people, I’m telling you the truth here! That’s what is delaying the coming of God’s Kingdom to this earth! We have stopped asking His Will for our lives! Here we are empowered to do ALL THINGS, and we’re wasting it on building our own little kingdoms, setting up our own little domains, and we are neglecting the most important job of all, BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD!
I talk to so many frustrated people who claim to be Christians. They are sad, depressed, bummed out, having no direction, no zeal, no joy of life. And here God has given them power to do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengthens them. Here we are without limits, able to do supernatural things with our natural bodies, given a mouth to speak words that have creative power; that is, the power to build up or tear down, and we are using our words for WHAT?
If that is describing YOU, then go back and read Philippians 4:13 over and over until it sinks in, then PUT IT TO USE! Ask your heavenly Father what it is He would have you do today, and DO IT! You don’t have to worry about not being able to accomplish it, for He has given you the ability to overcome ANY and EVERY obstacle that stands in your way. If He has told you to start a church, then START IT. Don’t worry about HOW, He has already furnished you with the HOW, because He, the Almighty, lives in you, strengthening you with an undefeatable power. Maybe He has told you to go preach the Gospel. Then GO! What are you waiting for? Stop looking at what you can do on your own strength; God isn’t asking you to do miracles and signs and wonders on your own strength, because He knows you can’t do even a simple one on your own. He is asking you to do His Kingdom work using HIS power. Let me tell you, God isn’t in recession. He isn’t trying to save His power so He doesn’t run out. His power cannot be exhausted, defeated, or worn out. He is looking for a few people who are willing to take Him up on His Word. Apparently they are few and far between, but there are some. Are you one of them? Are you willing to live without limits? If so, there will be no more boring days for you, ever. Jesus said in John 14:12-15,
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Life without limits, think about it, you can live the kind of life that pleases God, building His Kingdom, living above circumstances that take others down, because you can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengthens you. Unlimited, undefeatable, a true overcomer; it’s in you because HE is in you. And because He is unlimited, and He is in YOU, then YOU are unlimited, too. Kinda changes your whole outlook on things, doesn’t it? Good!
Mel C. Montgomery on 30 Jun 2017 at 4:58 pm #
Hi Brother Jerry,
Excellent article. I pray that everyone who reads it takes it to heart. As you emphasize, we can do all things “through Christ”–in other words, at his direction, within his plan and will for our lives and ministries. It is a partnership between us and Christ, DOING HIS WILL–not ours. But the good news is that His will is GOOD, perfect, and the best way anything could be done.
Godspeed,
Mel Montgomery
Sand Springs, OK
Donna on 30 Jun 2017 at 7:17 pm #
Thank you Brother Jerry! I needed to hear this today.