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/