Tag Archives: but by my spirit

September 23, 2022 · 5:25 AM

Strength For Today

I don’t know what you’re facing today, but I do know that the things we face can cause us to feel weak, helpless and fearful. Whatever it is, you don’t have to face it alone or in your own strength. God gives us supernatural grace and strength to go through the things we face. His grace is sufficient for whatever it is, and it’s in our weakness, or inabilities, that He is made strong in us (2 Corinthians 12:9). Change your perspective today knowing that it’s not by your might or power, but by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). Pray that He will empower you to stand no matter what comes your way, as you trust in Him. Receive His strength. Remember that fear is not from Him, but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind are (2 Timothy 1:7).

Here are some Bible verses on God giving you His strength.

1. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Psalm 29:11 ESV

2. Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you.

Ephesians 6:10 TPT

3. God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble.

Psalms 46:1 AMP

4. Do not be afraid—I am with you! I am your God—let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.

Isaiah 41:10 GNT

5. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

Isaiah 40:29 NLT

Photo by M Venter: Pexels

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May 11, 2022 · 5:49 AM

Tenth Anniversary: God Is Your Source

This week I’m reflecting on ten years of writing devotions. In the early days of writing, my mind was beginning to be consumed with fear. I felt the pressure of coming up with something to write about each day. I made a list in my phone of possible topics that I would add to. I would ask friends what they thought I should write about. Some mornings I sat there frozen, not knowing what to write, and feeling the pressure of an audience expecting something from me. Doing what God asked me to do was making me miserable and fearful – neither of which come from God.

I went to a writer’s conference hoping to gain insight. When I went to the registration table, they gave me a ticket to have a private breakfast with William Paul Young, writer of “The Shack”. Over breakfast, I explained my predicament. He gently told me that I was approaching God the wrong way. I was looking at Him as a well that could run dry. Instead, God is a never ending river of creativity. He said, “If you go to God’s creative river each day with an empty bucket and pray, ‘God, here’s my bucket. Would you fill it up with what you want to say,’ He will do it. You are going to have to spend time at His feet in order to do that.” Immediately I felt freedom and the fear left me.

What I realized is that God is the source of creativity, not me. I was trying to do what He asked me to in my own strength, creativity and knowledge. That was creating a mental mess. Zechariah 4:6 says, “Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord who rules over all” (NET). Whatever God has called you to do, He has called you to do it in His strength, not yours. Yes, you must show up and do the work, but you are not the source, He is. Don’t let the fear of your inadequacy take over your mind. Instead, go to God each and every day, recognizing He is the source, and ask Him to fill that bucket with whatever you need to fulfill what He’s called you to. It will free you up and restore the joy of your calling.

Photo by Amritanshu Sikdar on Unsplash

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