Laura J. Davis
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Monday Meditations
  • About
    • Contact
  • Books
    • Unlocking the Truth of Daniel
    • He Who Has An Ear
    • Learning From the Master
    • Come to Me
    • Anthologies
  • My Testimony
  • Book Store
  • Free Stuff
  • Interviews & Reviews

Learning God's Word
One Verse at a Time

Monday Meditations - The Power of Christ

2/16/2016

6 Comments

 
Picture
I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

What does it mean to have the power of Christ within you and available to you? What should that look like? Does it mean you can perform miracles like Jesus did? Should we be able to heal people, or do extraordinary things in His name? What does Philippians 4:13 mean when it says, "I can do all things?"

I am a big believer in keeping scripture in context because when we don't we can take a verse and make it mean something it wasn't intended to mean. So let's look at the verses that precede and follow Philippians 4:13.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Philippians 4:12

Philippians 4 has some of the most memorized verses by Christians in the New Testament. You can read the whole chapter at Biblegateway.com. Unfortunately, when we memorize our favourite verses we tend to forget the verses surrounding them, which can lead to a misunderstanding of the verse in question.  We can see from Philippians 4:12 that Paul has been talking about his physical needs. He tells us that he has learned the secret to being content in any and every situation. This verse is immediately followed by Philippians 4:13, which tells us how Paul can do all things through Christ who gives him strength. In other words, it is by his ability to trust in Jesus and rest in the assurance that God will provide for those needs, that Paul is able to find strength to keep going and is able to "do all things." Those things being whatever comes Paul's way in the form of poverty or plenty.

But he also adds "in any and every situation," so we know this also encompasses whatever good times or troubles (including dangers, and we know Paul faced many) he would experience.  So it is not the ability to use God's power to perform a miracle or heal someone, or do great feats in Jesus name that this verse is about. It is more about abiding in Christ and trusting Him with everything that comes our way.

Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

Philippians 4:14

This verse confirms that Paul has been talking to the Philippians about his troubles and that he finds his strength through Christ, in order to be content with whatever happens to him. He adds here that the Philippians did well to share with him in his distress. They alleviated his burden. This too is how we find contentment and strength in Christ. By trusting He will move others to meet our needs.

We never know what troubles we will encounter each day, but we can rest in the knowledge that God has already provided for those needs before we even become aware of them. This is what it means to be content "in all things" and to be able to "do all things" through Christ who gives us strength.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Today is Monday Meditations – Please link your posts below.
Let's encourage one another.. Sign up with Inlinkz below by adding your website/blog link that focuses on the Word of God. It will help bring more traffic to your blog.
An InLinkz Link-up
6 Comments
Robin Densmore Fuson link
2/16/2016 03:57:49 pm

You are correct, we can do amazing things if we do it in the Lord's mighty power. I am week but He is my strength to carry on in every part of my life. Thanks Laura for the reminder!

Reply
Laura link
2/16/2016 09:45:24 pm

Thanks for stopping by Robin!

Reply
Alexandra Yeboah link
2/19/2016 01:26:21 pm

Wonderful post! Day by day I am learning what it means to truly depend on Christ. Sometimes the situation looks so discouraging, but passages such as the one you shared in your post give me hope. I especially love the point you shared about the need to trust God to impress others to provide for my needs. Very insightful. I think we are in a world where so often we find it hard to open up and to share with others, but I am seeking to learn how to do this by God's grace. It is not easy for me, but I know the Father will teach me how. Thanks again for sharing this with us. Blessings

Reply
Laura link
2/19/2016 01:54:29 pm

Thank you, Alexandra. I found letting others help me when I was sick to be one of the hardest things for me to do. It is definitely a learning experience. Especially when you are the type of person who loves to help others. But a good friend once chastised me for not allowing her to use her gifts to help me and I've taken it to heart every since.

Reply
Janis Cox link
3/28/2016 11:32:10 pm

Laura,

I love your picture - where did you get it? Great post.

Blessings,
Janis

Reply
Laura link
3/29/2016 12:26:53 am

Janis, I bought it from Weebly.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    Categories

    All
    Angels
    Anger
    Anxiety
    Baptism
    Bible
    Blessings
    Comfort
    Confession
    Cornerstone
    Demons
    Discernment
    Ephesians
    Exhortation
    Faith
    False Prophets
    False Teachers
    Fasting
    Forgiveness
    Giving
    God Our Shepherd
    God's Plans
    God's Power
    God's Will
    God's Word
    Grace
    Healing
    Heaven
    Hope
    Jesus
    Judging
    Knowing Jesus Series
    Lamb Of God
    Leadershp
    Love
    Mercy
    Peace
    Prayer
    Prophecy
    Prosperity Gospel
    Redemption
    Repentance
    Satan
    Sermon On The Mount
    Serving
    Sexual Immorality
    Sickness
    Spiritual Gifts
    Strength In Jesus
    Submission
    Submitting To God
    Suffering
    Teaching
    Tongues
    Torah
    Trials
    Trust
    Universalism
    Worry

    Picture

    I Follow Fresh Market Friday
    Picture
© 2014 Laura J. Davis. All Rights Reserved.
Photos used under Creative Commons from John 9:25, symphony of love
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Monday Meditations
  • About
    • Contact
  • Books
    • Unlocking the Truth of Daniel
    • He Who Has An Ear
    • Learning From the Master
    • Come to Me
    • Anthologies
  • My Testimony
  • Book Store
  • Free Stuff
  • Interviews & Reviews
✕