Through Christ {Something to Think About}

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NLT

When I think I can’t take one more thing laid upon me or stand a situation one minute longer…

I can, because the strength I need comes from Christ.

When I feel I’m at the end of my rope…

I’m not, because all I need comes from Him. He lengthens the rope so I can hang on a little longer and go a little further.

Through Christ I can do what He asks, and go where He leads, no matter the obstacles.

Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
Philippians 4:13 The Message

In Christ,
Laura



Small Does Not Mean Unimportant

“Small things matter in ministry too.” –Angela Thomas, Do You Know Who I Am?
Have you ever felt that what you’re doing doesn’t matter because it’s smaller or reaches fewer people than what someone else is doing?

Small does not mean insignificant.

Take our online Bible study for example. There are many other online studies going on throughout the year. One in particular has hundreds, if not thousands, of participants for each book studied. Our current study has 18 women involved.

Quite small in comparison, but not unimportant.

This is only one example. Maybe…

Your family is smaller than you hoped and you wonder if what you’re doing is as important as the parent with a larger family.

You don’t serve as a ministry leader or a speaker at conferences, but you provide childcare for those who attend.

You’re a teacher without a classroom, but you have the opportunity to tutor one student.

You tell one person about Jesus…and then another…and another, one at a time.

Let me assure you…small is important—to God and to others.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 NLT
Wherever we give of ourselves, God deserves our best.

He has a plan for each of us and each plan is different. He knows our strengths, our weaknesses, and our potential, and where each of us can best serve Him. It is possible God has more for us to do, but it’s now in the small things where He’s preparing us for what’s to come. And when the time is right (His timing, not ours), He will guide us there.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
You might be wondering if I get caught up in the numbers—how many women sign up for the studies or the number of comments on my blog. Not really, but I could. After all, 18 and hundreds are not even close. But on occasion, through an e-mail or a comment to a post, God reminds me that He’s at work—even in what seems small.

Any time I spend comparing what God has given me to do with someone else, my focus shifts from Him to me. And it’s not about me. It’s about Him.

All about Him.

Thank you for visiting today! If you are studying Do You Know Who I Am? by Angela Thomas, we are in Chapter 9 this week “Do You Know I Am Hesitant?...He is Generous.”

In Christ,
Laura


Do You Know Who I Am? Online Study-Wk 9

Welcome and thanks for joining me here! We're in Chapter 9 this week of Do You Know Who I Am? by Angela Thomas.

Just a note for the first week of July...we're going to take a short break over the 4th of July week. We'll start again on July 8 and continue with the last three chapters of the book.

Have a wonderful week!

In Christ,
Laura

Week 9 – June 24—30

Monday/Tuesday— Read the first half of Chapter 9 “Do You Know I Am Hesitant?...He Is Generous.”

Wednesday/Thursday—Read the second half of Chapter 9.

Remember to visit my blog during the week at Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith.

Friday— Spend time in prayer and reflect back on key parts of the reading that made an impact on you. Catch up on the reading, if necessary.

Questions to Ponder—
  • Of Angela’s fruit stand lessons, are there areas you need to work on?
  • Is there a time you used to be more giving of yourself? Maybe before being hurt or taken advantage of? Is it time to go back to giving more?
  • Are you a “cheerful giver?”

Relying on God for Self-Discipline

Thanks for joining me here today! If you’re reading Do You Know Who I Am? by Angela Thomas, we’re in chapter 8 this week, “Do You Know I Am Undisciplined?...He Is My Strength.”

Self-discipline.

This is the word that kept coming to mind as I read and thought about the chapter this week.

Followed by…self-reliance…self-control… and self-confidence.

What they all have in common is each one depends on one person—me. While the world says the only one I can depend on is myself, I have to admit I’m uncomfortable with that.

Please don’t misunderstand—I firmly believe we are each responsible for our own actions. So, I agree that I need to have some self-discipline and self-control over my behavior.

But to be dependent only on myself? That’s not going to work.

I don’t have the strength or wisdom to be perfect. I’m going to mess up. Repeatedly.

My feelings and emotions are like a roller coaster, which means I may act based on the mood I’m in.

So, how can I discipline myself when my thoughts, emotions, and moods fluctuate? I can’t, I need God’s help.
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 NIV
God is never changing, always consistent, always present, and always a firm foundation.
I am the Lord, and I do not change. Malachi 3:6a NLT
We have a God who understands, and He is always ready to help me when I turn to Him.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16 NLT
God promises to give us strength…
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29 NLT
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:16-17 NLT
He promises to show us a way out of temptation…
And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10: 13b NLT
He promises us the power for self-discipline and self-control…
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NLT
In Christ,
Laura