Twelve Can Do’s for Life’s Can’t Do Attitudes (Phil 4:13)
"I can do everything you ask me to do with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power." (Phil. 4:13 - Living Bible)
"I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me. I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength within me. I have become self-sufficient through Christ’s sufficiency." (Amplified)
Illustration: Dr. Robert Clinton, a leadership professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, notes that 70 percent of leaders don’t finish well. He has identified six common traits of leaders who quit running the race effectively:
1. They lose their learning posture.
2. The attractiveness of their character wanes.
3. They stop living by their convictions.
4. They fail to leave behind ultimate contributions.
5. They stop walking in an awareness of their influence and destiny.
6. They lose their once vibrant relationship with God. Look those six traits over very carefully and answer this question: Have any of these self-destructive time bombs crept into your life to any degree? Think this life through with me a little here. Starting well is beneficial. Staying the course is critical. But if we don’t finish well that tends to be our legacy regardless of how we started or lived most of our lives. It doesn’t seem fair, but the truth is that we will be remembered most for how we finished. Therefore, finishing well is something to which we all should give some serious thought.
Paul buoys himself and the Philippians with a promise from God that encompasses twelve can do’s that are antidotes for the poison of "can’t do attitudes":
Illustration: Syeed was a Bengali guard hired by missionary Tom McDonald to protect the property of a Christian hospital under construction in Bangladesh. As Jay Walsh tells the story in his book Ripe Mangoes, a Muslim named Syeed noticed another worker, Monindra, reading an unfamiliar book.
One day Syeed visited Monindra to ask what he was reading. "That’s a Christian Bible," he replied. The Bible was so precious to Monindra that when Syeed asked to see it, he refused. But Syeed would not be denied. For nearly a week he would sneak into Monindra’s quarters, take the Bible to a secluded place to read, and then return it unnoticed.
Then one day Syeed could not be found. After a short search, he was discovered kneeling before that Bible, calling out, "Lord Jesus, save me!" As the months and years passed, Syeed suffered severe persecution for his beliefs, yet he never backed down from the decision he made that day while reading a "borrowed" Bible.
The Word of God is indeed powerful. It did for Syeed what it did for the author of Psalm 119. It gave him life, comfort, and courage (vv.50-53). (Our Daily Bread)
1. Capability - Christ gives us the ability to do everything that God wants us to accomplish. Apart from Him we are incapable to do anything for eternity. We are enabled with supernatural perceiving, speaking and engaging capacities that are evidence of the Holy Spirit working supernatural proof of His capabilities. Praise God that He makes us competent to do everything He asks us to do with the help of Christ who gives us the strength and power.
Illustration: Jesus took the five loaves and the two small fish from the little boy in John 6 and used them to feed five thousand with full satisfaction. Commit whatever you have to the Lord, your time, talent, treasures and concerns to Him and He will transform it into something that will do miracles. Stop holding on to things that will not last for eternity. Let the Lord be your bureau of exchange that takes our meager gifts and uses them to do great and mighty things beyond our imaginations. God is the greatest change agent who contends for us.
Illustration: When I went to Nigeria as a seminary teacher in 1981 it became clear that I needed the supernatural wisdom, strength and cross-cultural communication skills to succeed in my ministries. All the theology and ministerial experience were inadequate in comparison to the daily capabilities the Holy Spirit provided in relating the message of the scripture in a way that produced hundreds of church planters, pastors and theological educators from the Jos ECWA/SIM theological seminary for nearly twenty years. God gave abilities that supernaturally enabled me to be relevant, effective and fruit-producing eventually resulting in the starting of 650 new churches.
Quote:So, be your task great or small, God wants to use you to be a part of his plans and what he is doing in your world today. All we need is to be available. As the anonymous poet wrote:
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true.
One life can make the difference,
You see it’s up to you!
In the words of Edward Everett Hale: "I am only one. But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the Something that I can do."
2. Courage - Christ gives us readiness to face and capacity to endure any danger or difficulty. The Holy Spirit gives us a supernatural fearlessness that is evidence of the fact that God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.
3. Contentment - Christ gives us satisfaction and a tranquil peace of mind while we are abasing and abounding. The Holy Spirit teaches us and motivates us to learn how to cope with little or with much. IN adversity and prosperity we learn how to keep Christ in control without getting bent out of shape.
4. Confidence - Christ gives us a firm trust and certainty that He will never leave us without what we need to do His will. "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing but the righteous are as bold as a lion." Our confidence is not based upon our abilities but His abilities that are evidence of His fruits, His favor and His fellowship.
Illustration: They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. --Psalm 34:5
Psalm 34 breathes with the spirit of exuberant confidence and faith in God. The Lord, said David, delivers us from all our fears (v.4). Not only that, but those who look up to Him with a heaven-born confidence reflect the light of His countenance so that they become radiant (v.5). The inner joy bubbles over and reveals itself in their eyes and face.
A woman who was more than 80 years old wrote to me some years ago and related a personal experience that had profoundly influenced her life.
She said, "I recall that when I was a child, I used to watch a precious old saint in church as with closed eyes he sang with head thrown back and with tears trickling down over a perfectly radiant face, ’Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing!’ Sometimes he sang in tune and sometimes way off, but nobody cared because he sang with his whole heart. I don’t remember a single word he ever said, but I was profoundly impressed by his face. I wanted to be a Christian like that. Since then I have often prayed, ’O Father, help me to be a radiant Christian.’"
Take a look in the mirror. Does your face radiate a good testimony for Jesus Christ? (Our Daily Bread)
5. Composure - Christ gives us equanimity so we are able to remain calm, serene and controlled even when the world around us seems to be coming apart. People who are controlled by Christ have a perfect peace that passes human understanding. (Isa 26:3)
6. Celebration - Christ allows us to celebrate in advance of the fact that regardless of our age, adversity or adversaries we will be overcomers. Jesus said, "Be of good cheer. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
7. Coping Skills - Christ gives us the means of coping with any and every situation through the supernatural adjustments needed to cope with problems, pressures and people. Too many people sink under the weight of their problems because they have never develop coping skills to deal with their pressures, predicaments and problems. Christ gives us remarkable adaptive abilities to cope with any situation with His all sufficient grace no matter how severe the test.
8. Communication - Christ gives us the ability to tell others that we are still being used by Him despite what others might think or say about us. We can continue to communicate His love, truth, love, grace, hope and purpose regardless of the opposition we might run into. Christ communicates solutions that are cures for the spiritual ailments of all who will trust and obey the Master.
9. Change - Christ gives us the ability to work change in us and through and with us in ways that are beyond human perception. Change happens when people apply the spiritual medicine of the scripture to their sin sicknesses. The Spirit of God is changing us from one degree of glory to another as we behold the Lord Jesus as our author and perfecter of our faith.
10. Consistency - Christ gives us the ability to remain steady, true and unwavering regardless of what the evil one might try to throw against us. After enduring great persecution Paul came through as one that people could count on to do Christ’s will, way and working.
11. Conflict Resolution - Christ gives us a way to resolve our conflicts with people, situations and circumstantial problems through His mediation. Do not think that you have to remain unreconciled with somebody because this promises assure you that Christ can bring all things to pass through His resolving capacities that are higher than the ways of human beings.
12. Completion - Christ helps brings things to the completion of His will as He says, "I will bring things to pass." Some problems have a way of melting into insignificance when we face them with Jesus. When Jesus comes the tempter’s power is broken. When Jesus comes all fear is passed away. He takes the gloom and fills the heart with glory." When Jesus comes He helps us say, "I have accomplished the whole work that God has given me to do."
13. Certitude - God assures us in His word, "I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord. Plans for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope." (Jer 29:11) Be confident that the Lord will go before you and enable you with all of the assurance that you need to accomplish everything He asks you to do. Perhaps the most comprehensive promise in the Bible fortifies our mind, heart and bodies for what is expected of us.
"God is able to make all grace abound to you so that having all things at all times you have all that you need, so you can abound in every good work." (2 Cor 9:8)
With that certainty you should never lack for capability, courage, contentment, confidence, composure, celebration, coping skills, communication, change, consistency, conflict resolution, or completion of His will for your life.
Illustration: God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. --2 Samuel 22:33
14. Cure Giver - We can be confident that the Lord will provide the cure for whatever hinders us from doing His will. He heals the brokenhearted and sets the captives free. He makes the lame to walk again and causes the blind to see. He is able. He heals all your diseases and redeems your life from the pit. He crowns you with lovingkindness so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. Realize that the sicknesses, diseases and thorns in the flesh that He chooses not to heal will be accompanied by enough grace that is sufficient for you. Therefore, you can boast in your sicknesses, hardships, and infirmities and distresses knowing that when you are weak, you will be strong through His mighty power. The less you have the more you can depend on Him. (2 Cor. 12:9,10)
Illustration: The picture in the newspaper caught my attention. Above the caption "Strong Man" was a photo of a workman displaying what seemed to be superhuman strength. He appeared to be lifting a piano up to a second story apartment porch. An explanation under the picture plus one discernible clue, however, told the unseen story. By looking closely I could see a cable attached to the piano. The real power to lift it was coming from a crane above, rather than from the man below.
That scene reminded me of the way the Lord works in and through those who trust Him. Looking at our circumstances, we don’t see God. Yet He is there.
God revealed this truth to men like David, whose psalm of deliverance is recorded in the book of 2 Samuel. Those who observed David might have attributed much of what he did to his own effort, but he knew that it was the Lord who made him strong. God was providing strength from above, even as His servant acted and struggled in obedient faith below.
If we are trusting Christ as our ultimate source of power, we too can know the secret of the strongest people in the world. --MRD II
You may not be the strongest or the greatest,
Your presence may not even count at all;
But when you put your trust in Jesus’ power,
You are assured He’ll never let you fall. --Hess
God’s strength is best seen in our weakness. (Our Daily Bread)
God’s Holy Alphabet
Although things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in thanksgiving
D o not begin to blame
E ven when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
G od is forever able
H old on to what you know
I magine life without His love
J oy would cease to be
K eep thanking Him for all the things
L ove imparts to thee
M ove out of "Camp Complaining"
N o weapon that is known
O n earth can yield the power
P raise can do alone
Q uit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
T o "thank" is a command
U ntil we see Him coming
V ictorious in the sky
W e’ll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Y es, there’ll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
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expert, conquering over all, clear conscience, connection expert, cognitive developer,clear mind, clear conscience giver, clear voice, clear eyes, clear mind, clean heart, cross-giver, cleansed soul, control over my body, mind, resources, heart, strength, relationships and activities, can do spirit regardless of the discouragements, concentration enableer, counselor, continuing education expert, continual infuser of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, care giver, communion embracer, closest companion, course setter, connections giver, clear understanding of scripture illuminator, comment controller, coincides cultures, celebrator, calls us with a holy calling, cross carrier, crucified one, Christian standard setter, makes us conscious of sin, confession receiver, case study giver, criticism judger, contends for us, career counselor, commissioner for the great commission, caretaker-, controls the cavalry to fight the battles for us, 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cannot change His character, consecrator, complimentor by affirming-encouraging-enabling-buoying us up, continuing Spirit despite the difficulties, cleverness giver, clothes us in righteousness-godliness-truth-love-hope-faith-power-purpose-godliness, closer than a brother, companion giver with the best godly friends-supporters-instructors-administrators-care-takers, criticism judger, convincing skill giver, coveoutous conqueror, "come to me who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest", confounds the enemies of Christ in every way, complementary gift giver-coordinator-cooperator, cache-treasury of everything that we need for life and godliness, conqueror maker, commander, clout giver, credibility giver, casting all our care upon Him for He cares for us, confirms us after we have suffered a little while, counts it all joy when we encounter various trials knowing that the trial of our faith works endurance, comforts us in all our afflictions so that we can comfort those who are afflicted with the comfort that we receive from God, contribution director for maximum fruitfulness in the will of God, charisma giver-emphasizer, character focuser in leadership development, "who can cheer the heart like Jesus", contrasts His goodness with the evil-destruction-degradation-defeat-sorrow in the world, cultivator of what is true-noble-right-pure-lovely-excellent-admirable-praise-worthy, consider Him who endured such suffering of sinners against Himself lest we become weary and lose heart, considers all things, creator who has the right to do whatever He wants, consecrator, counselor, cleverness giver, complimentor, complementary giver, compensator for our weaknesses, cuts away harmful and useless things through pruning, commitment enhancer-challenger-charger, compassion sustainer, cultivator of people’s hearts, condition setter, come to me who are weary and I will give you rest, charisma giver, concerned one, continuing spirit, contends for us, carries us through, 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parts, clears my eyes with tears and with living water, conversation enabler and director, cheers the heart, communing one in intimate relations, companion in all ways, characterizes Christ, considerate one for the helpless, hurting and hopeless, creates hope, joy, help, healing and hope, cleanses me from all unrighteousness, climax giver, crescendos at the right time, crisis calmer-keeper-preventor and deliverer, chaos user and ameliorator, causes all things to work together for good, causes the growth, constrainer from wrong, anxiety, frustration and anger, crucified with Christ yet I live by faith, clears a way through the wildnerness, commentary giver with wisdom and knowledge, cheers the heart like Jesus, commandment giver and enabler, countless blessings giver, church builder and multiplier and physician, colors our experience with variety, spice and new experiences and people and insights, chronological giver-determiner, cools us when heated, contribution director-provider, 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(Phil. 4:13)
