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Inner Strength

Ephesians 3:16
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.

Now that we are in the Spring season, my mind starts to think about hiking.  I love to get out and walk the Appalachian Trail.  In order to be ready, I have been either walking or riding my bike each morning.  I want to strengthen those lazy winter muscles.

Strength is a necessary part of the outdoors experience.  When my wife and I started to add children to our family we stopped hiking because of the limited time we had.  Since I have started back up again I have lost 30 pounds.  (Pounds that I had “found” up till that time!)

I can tell you by experience that out of shape people cannot enjoy hiking as fully as those used to the rigors of trail life.  I remember well the pain in my legs and back when I first started.  I had to stop every few feet while going uphill, just to breathe.  Thank God, I am starting to get in shape again!

More important than physical condition, however, is the shape of your inner being.  The spiritual trail you are on is far tougher than any wilderness trail.  God wants to strengthen you for that journey.

It is going to take quality time spent in the presence of the Lord.  That is why your time in the presence of the Lord is so beneficial.  It builds you up internally.  To do this you must free yourself from distractions so that you can concentrate on Christ.

Let Him strengthen you today.  Spend time before Him just drinking in His Spirit.  Take the time necessary so that your inner man is ready for the road ahead, no matter how rough the path.

 
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Posted by on May 26, 2012 in Daily Thoughts

 

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God’s Abundant Love

Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them.

In this passage, Nehemiah is praying, and remembering why Israel is presently in captivity in a foreign land.  Time and time again they refused to listen to the Lord’s leading.  They took no time to think and meditate on the many miracles that God performed on their behalf.  Instead they had a history of outright rebellion against God’s leadership.

But here is the amazing part – in all that time God remained forgiving, gracious, and compassionate.  I’m so glad that our God is not bound to emotional outbursts the way we humans are.  Instead of writing them off and giving up on them, God worked with Israel.  He tried to draw them in by His love for them.

This is truly a God who is abounding in love.  This verse literally says that God has an over abundance of love.  That only stands to reason.  God is love.  God is infinite.  Therefore, His love is infinite.

What a comforting thought – God has more than enough love for us.  You can personalize that and say that God has more than enough love for you.  He will never run out.  No one can ever say that they have done so many things wrong that God doesn’t love them any more.

Bask in the warmth of that love today.  Let God’s overabundance minister to your soul.  Allow the Holy Spirit to speak words of encouragement to your inner man.  Be refreshed by this love that passes all understanding.

 
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Posted by on March 29, 2012 in Daily Thoughts

 

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