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Philippians 4:13 - Christ; The Key To Doing All Things.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things 
through Christ who strengthens me. 

COMMENTARY PEARL

Power For Problems
   A friend told me of a nonbeliever who 
came to him in the midst of a troubled day. 
Knowing my friend was a Christian, the man asked, 
"If I get born again, will all of my problems go 
away?" 
   "No," said my friend, "but you will have 
the power to deal with them." 
   God will give us wisdom and courage. He 
will surround us with brothers and sisters in 
Christ to help carry our burdens, and even provide 
us with insight and practical assistance. 
   Satan will always try to discourage those 
who belong to Christ. When problems persist, he 
may even whisper, "See, God doesn't care about 
you!" But with the Holy Spirit's help, we can 
combat the evil one and contradict his lies in 
the midst of life's problems God supplies 
everything we need to see us through. [Hope for Each 
Day by Billy Graham] 

COMMENTARY

   Bible memorization was a big part of my 
sixth-grade Bible class curriculum this year. My 
students started out the year memorizing a single 
verse each week. On Friday, they would recite the 
week's verse. As the year progressed, the verses 
got longer and more complex. A communal groan 
went up in the class when I told them we would be 
memorizing Psalm 103:1-12 during the last six weeks of 
school. There were outbursts of "We can't do it!" 
and "Mrs. Aughtmon, you are trying to kill us!" 
I assured them, "I am not trying to kill you. 
You can do this!" I knew they were capable of 
that, and more. Each week, I would cheer them on, 
encouraging and reminding them that I knew they could do 
it. In the face of a daunting task, they 
persevered. Pushing through their fear and doubt in 
themselves, they did more than they ever thought they 
could. The look of accomplishment on their faces 
when they recited all twelve verses was 
fantastic. 
   This world can be overwhelming. We 
shoulder pressures at home and at work. We struggle 
with relationships and finances. We battle 
temptation and sin. At times, it feels as if life is 
trying to kill us. How can we make it? How can we 
accomplish all that we need to? We persevere to 
accomplish everything that Jesus assigns us, and 
everything that He's created us for. Yet, we have to 
remember that we are not alone in our struggles. 
Jesus is with us. His Spirit is ever-present, 
strengthening us, encouraging our hearts, reminding us 
that with Him and in Him, we can do all things. 
Susanna Foth Aughtmon 
   Faith Step: What daunting task are you 
facing right now? Memorize Philippians 4:13. Say it 
throughout the day, anytime you feel overwhelmed. 
[Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and 
Zondervan] 

   I was a school mentor for several years. 
Once a week, I'd have lunch with an at-risk young 
girl and informally talk to her about academics, 
friendships, and dreams. I enjoyed it and I think the 
girls did too. My second year, I was assigned a 
nine-year-old named Serenity who was anything but serene. 
I knew she had a very troubled family life. 
Serenity was unpredictably angry, often contrary, and 
sometimes utterly defiant. I was lost. 
   Serenity didn't respond to my love, 
humor, or my other usual ways of connecting with 
kids. She loved thoughtful gifts but always wanted 
more. She liked crafts but was downright mean when 
she needed help. We often played games, but she 
cheated and gloated about winning. 
   I knew intellectually these were all 
defenses she was using, so I knew not to take them 
personally, but it was hard. Several months passed. I 
was at the end of my rope, about to give up. I 
prayed for Jesus to show me the way. And that's 
when the miracle happened. Serenity didn't 
change. I did. I was able to lavish love on Serenity 
without wanting or needing her to be different in 
any way. 
   The difference was Jesus. I'd been trying 
hard in my own strength and with my own flawed 
human motives to be Serenity's friend. Only 
through Christ could I love her freely and without 
conditions. Isabella Campolattaro 
   Faith Step: Are you handling something in 
your own strength and failing miserably? Get on 
your knees to exchange your helplessness for 
Jesus's infinite strength. [Mornings With Jesus 2022 
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

   This verse is a strengthening support 
when we face a difficult task. When a situation 
is too hard for us to handle. When we feel we 
cant go on. Its another version of nothing is 
too difficult for Him; nothing is impossible 
with God. Its a shot in the arm sometimes. A 
power verse we gulp down like a vitamin smoothie. 
 
   But sometimes what a verse doesnt say 
is just as important as what a verse says. I 
was recently reminded that while I can do all 
things through Jesus, He never said I have to do it 
all. Im the one who puts that kind of pressure 
on myself. Sometimes the thing He wants to give 
me strength for is speaking that powerful 
little word, No.  
   I think women are especially prone to 
thinking we have to do it all. Maybe its because 
were good at multitasking. You want me to start a 
load of laundry while Im cooking dinner while 
Im washing dishes while Im supervising a 
piano lesson while Im helping someone else with 
homework after Ive worked eight hours as a 
teacher? Sure. No problem. I am supermom. I love to 
be needed. But the honest truth is that it 
feeds my pride monster to do all this. And I think 
our culture creates that monster. I can bring 
home the bacon and fry it up in a pan. We prove 
our value by doing it all.  
   But Jesus wants us to get our value from 
Him. Not from doing all things. But from resting 
in His love for us and letting His strength 
shine through our weakness. How can He do that if 
we never admit we have any weaknesses? We can 
do all things through Him. But that doesnt 
mean we need to do everything. by Gwen Ford 
Faulkenberry  
   Faith Step: Whats the hardest thing 
you have to do today? Receive the strength to do 
it through Jesus. Even if that thing is saying, 
No. I dont need to do that. [Mornings With 
Jesus 2020 Devotional by Guideposts and 
Zondervan] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Philippians 4:13 - Christ: The Key To Doing 
All Things. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160130-2007.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/