"I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13 NIV).

This guest devotional is by Jon Walker, author of 'Growing with Purpose.'

We're not as strong as we think we are, but God is stronger than we think.

You become strong through God's strength. His strength enters your life, delivered by the Holy Spirit--Jesus within--and the more dependent you are on God, the stronger in him you become. In our weakness, he is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

"I can do everything . . . " doesn't mean, 'Now that I'm a believer, I'm strong enough to do everything and anything for God.' Your own testimony can attest to the fears and failures related to such thinking.

The strength of "I can do everything . . . " comes through God, who gives you the strength you need for each day. Your ability to "do everything" is wholly dependent upon him because your strength is dependent upon him. It's not a strength you work up to by pumping iron with emotional or mental barbells.

Strength comes from submission. The thing you do that may require the greatest strength is to submit yourself completely to God! But God is "working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him" (Philippians 2:13 NLT).

Strength is linked to faith. You believe in faith that God is giving you his strength; and so, in faith you can act in confidence, knowing the strength is there: "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength" (2 Timothy 4:17 NIV).

Jon Walker is the editor of The Purpose Driven Life On-line Devotionals. You can find him on Facebook at 'GraceCreates' with Jon Walker. This devotional is copyrighted 2009 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.

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