Friday, October 10, 2008

Woman of Strength

"Wealth and honor come from You;
You are the ruler of all things.
In Your hands are strength
and power to exalt and give strength to all."
1 Chronicles 29:12

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Do you find yourself focused on your weaknesses most of the time rather than the strength that is yours in Christ Jesus? This morning I was reading some thoughts from a missionary, named Anita, who lives in South America. "'Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28 NIV). Jesus said to me, Trust Me. Live and breathe in My love. Do lifes stresses and heartaches have you disturbed and defeated? Don't get lost in the feelings. Hang on to the truth in God's Word. Trust Him with whatever comes, because remember -- He's working it all together for your good!" (quoted from page 114 in Beth Moore's book entitled "Voices of the Faithful")

Here are a few verses for you to claim to focus on His strength rather than your weakness.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10
Lord, thank you that You are my strong tower and that when I run to You I am kept safe.
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"She sets about her work vigorously and has arms strong for her tasks." Proverbs 31:17
Lord, give me strength to do the mundane things today ~ washing, folding the clothes, cooking, cleaning, dusting the cob webs for the "hundreth" time, all the while remembering that I do these things because I love You and the family You've entrusted to my care.
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"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." Proverbs 31:25
Lord, clothe me with Your strength and dignity to hold my shoulders high, so that I can laugh and be joyful regardless of what comes on my plate today.
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"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"
2 Corinthians 12:9
Lord, I confess my weak areas to You today and TRUST You to give me the strength I need to accomplish the tasks that lie before me.
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"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't give up." Galatians 6:9
Lord, I admit that I want to give up, I'm tired of doing the same things over and over again. Help me to focus, not on the things, but on my family and pray for them as I go about my routine.
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"And whatever you do, whether in word of deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:23-24
Lord, as I go about my day, help me to please You then my family will be pleased. I thank You for the eyes to see, hands to feel with, feet to take me where I need to go, etc.
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"Finally, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10-11
Lord, I choose to be strong in You and in Your MIGHTY power today. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:18-20). I choose to put on Your armor that I might stand strong today. I know that no weapon forged against me will stand, because I am kept safe and secure in You. (Isaiah 54:17)

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I close with the words of Chuck Swindoll, "Today is unique! it has never occurred before, and it will never be repeated. At midnight it will end -- quietly, suddenly, totally. Forever. But the hours between now and then are opportunites with endless possibilities. With God's enablement, live this day to the full -- as if it were your last day on earth." (quoted from page 1252 of The Living Insights Study Bible)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

i know that you've had this up for a week or so, but I've just now sat and read it through. Those verses and prayers are wonderful. thanks for the insights.