2 Corinthians 4:13 says, “And since we  have the same spirit of faith, according to what  is written, I believed therefore I spoke, we also believe and therefore speak.” What is the gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.”

We were not there at Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Yet we believe the account according to God’s word. Faith is believing in what we did not see, because God’s word is the truth.

I love Psalm 119:89-90. It says, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations…” Titus 1:2 chimes in with, “In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.” He gives us His faith so that we can believe without seeing.

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEYAUGUST 21 2024, WRITTEN BY MARILYN ADAMS

Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.COLOSSIANS 1:11

The apostle Paul wrote out his prayer for the folks in the church in Colossae. There were false teachers who were watering down the doctrines of Christianity. Rather than being influenced by these false teachers he wanted the believers to increase and prosper in their walk with the Lord.I often use verse 11 when I pray for people who are struggling during their hard trials. The Lord is all powerful, all knowing, and always present. Paul wanted the folks there to stand strong in their faith, and not be derailed through the false teachings.We are all called to endure. I like to think about the caterpillar who spins a cocoon or chrysalis. In that protective place the caterpillar “melts”. From that liquid God creates a moth or butterfly. When the butterfly first emerges, its body is swollen with fluid, its wings are small, and it is connected to the cocoon only by a tiny thread. The butterfly will only find its strength through a struggle.It must stretch out its wings over and over in order to distribute the fluid evenly, and then dry the wings. Only through much perseverance, will it then be ready to do what God has created it to do. It flies off and freely flits from one flower to another. It joyfully drinks in the fruit of its endurance, the nectar that will sustain it for the journey. Father, there have been times when my trials were like a dark night of my soul. There were no answers. Yet you called me to persevere. You gave me your strength so I could continue the journey you have charted for me. I am so grateful for your glorious might that sustains me moment by moment. Throughout this day: Prayerfully watch this time-lapse video of a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. Let it inspire you to pray for yourself or someone you know who is in need of God’s strengthening power for endurance and patience at this time.Share on FacebookSubscribe to Daily Devotionals, receive prayer or share your thoughts with us!

In Romans 1:16 Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” In the next verse he explained a key principle. It says, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith…” 

Paul finished the verse by quoting an Old Testament verse from Habakkuk 2:4. It says, “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; for the just shall live by his faith.” All through the Old Testament and the New, salvation is the same ~ it requires faith. 

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 1 Peter 1:8 says, “Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” Faith is rooted in One who is Trustworthy. 

When the Holy Spirit spoke this into my heart, I rehearsed what I knew about virtue from Scripture. 2 Peter 1:5 says to add it to our faith. In Philippians 4:8 Paul encouraged his readers to add it to their meditations.

Strong’s definition is: intrinsic value, moral excellency, and goodness. The virtue of contentment is void of self-importance and a me-first attitude. It is yielding our rights. It is the foundation of rest through acceptance of our circumstances, and a deep inner trust that God is indeed in control of all things. 

Paul said that he had to learn contentment. Philippians 4:11. The Lord used Paul’s trials as His tools of instruction. Verse 12. He had times where he abounded, was abased, full, hungry, and suffered need. In each of those his confidence was verse 13. It says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Do you walk in the virtue of contentment?

Paul found his joy in the Lord, and from his fellowship with other believers. Listen to his words in Philippians 4:1. It says, “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.”

In verse 4 he encouraged them to “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Verse 6 helps us see a trap that we can easily fall into. It says, “Be anxious for nothing…” What is the antidote? The verse goes on, “…but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

How often do we include thanksgiving when we are asking the Lord to help us in a situation that is making us feel anxious? Entertaining anxious thoughts, blocks His two irrevocable gifts of joy and peace. 

Verse 7 says that when we include thanksgiving with our petitions, “…the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard our hearts and minds…”

After memorizing Philippians 1, I began to work on chapter 4. Keeping in mind that Paul wrote that letter from prison helped me process the phrases I was repeating over and over. The Presence of the Lord in his situation gave life to his words.

Are you content in your present trial? Our trials have built in lessons. Romans 5:3 Amplified says, “Moreover (let us also be full of joy now!) let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.”

In Philippians 4:11 Paul wrote, “…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6 says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” The Greek word in both verses means satisfied. Does your relationship with the Lord satisfy you? Psalm 107:9 says, “For He satisfies the longing soul…”

Paul prayed for the folks in the church in Colosse. Colossians 1:10 says, “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully  pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

2 Peter 1:3 says, “As His divine power has given  to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” We live victoriously through His resurrection power within us. 

Ephesians 1:19 described that power. It says, “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” At salvation His resurrection power became ours.

Romans 6 declares that we can live free of sin’s temptation. We are dead to sin, but alive to God. Verse 12 tells us how to live. It says, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.”

James 3:13 Amplified chimes in, “Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his (good) works with the unobtrusive) humility (which is the proper attribute) of true wisdom.” 

Noble living is living in God’s wisdom. It is seeing life through God’s perspective instead of our own. How we perceive things is rooted in our belief system created from our life’s experiences. Our beliefs come from our experiences. Our experiences influence our intentions. Our intentions precede our thoughts. Our thoughts become actions that are displayed through attitudes. 

1 Chronicles 28:9 Amplified were David’s words to his son Solomon. It says, “…For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts…” Hebrews 4:12 Amplified says that God’s word penetrates to the deepest parts of our nature. “…exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very  thoughts and purposes of the heart.”

Noble living is walking with heart purity through intention, thought, and actions. As I continued to memorize Philippians 1, the first part of verse 27 gave me a lot to think about. It says, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” Ephesians 4:1 says, “I, therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.”

How were we called? 2 Timothy 1:9 says, “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

1 Peter 1:15 says, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” 

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

The Lord loves to reveal Himself to us in ways we have not experienced Him before. His Presence is like a prism of color that envelops our whole being. We are stilled under the weight of His glory.

Psalm 34:5 says, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Here is a part of a new song ~ Song of Purity

As I look into Your eyes of purity I see holiness. All my defilements melt away like wax before fire and I am cleansed. Your eyes are pooled with love for me.

As I behold You all shame is removed. You are the lifter of my head my shield and my defense. I hide in You and enter into the sweetness of intimate communion.