Friday, August 14, 2009

Life Verses

Years ago, Bryan and I each chose a verse which we deemed our life verses.

Bryan was transitioning between Campus Crusade and seminary. One day, while reading Job 23 he came across verse 12:

I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
He thought this would be a good verse for someone studying to become a pastor. It has served him well through the years, but especially fits now since he no longer consumes physical food. His entire nutrition is served intravenously.

My life verse is Philippians 4:13:

I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.

Prior to Sarah's birth, we attended birth preparation classes. Our instructor suggested we have a picture or a phrase which we could look at or think about during labor to help us focus on the task at hand. I searched the scriptures looking for something which would be suitable and found the above mentioned verse. It has been part of labor and delivery for me nine times! In addition, anytime I find a difficult circumstance I know Jesus is with me giving me the necessary strength and stamina to accomplish what He sets before me.
I hear people say, "God won't give you any more than you can handle." That is so wrong! He gives us way more than we can handle alone--but not more than we can handle with Him as our strength. We have sung about this for years:

Jesus loves me this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak
But, He is strong!

In 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, we are told Paul implored the Lord three times that his thorn in the flesh might leave. God replied,"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Like Paul, Bryan and I can say, "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 comments:

Joan said...

Thanks for sharing, Susan. I have often thought the same thing when people have said that God never gives us more than we can handle. He is gracious to push us beyond what we can take on our own, to drive us to rely on Him. Praying for you, and hoping to see you tomorrow!

Dina said...

Good morning, Susan and Bryan! I love what Paul said, "for when I am weak, then I am strong!" Amen! I was just listening to a cd and a song by Steven Curtis Chapman came on, and as he was singing the words: "No matter how deep the valley you go through, I will go there with you..." I was totally thinking of both of you. Praying for you both today, for God's strength/peace to see you through another day. Love, Dina