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

Wow! I can do all things! I’ll get that bigger house, better job and loose this weight. I can be a better wife/daughter/mom, learn French, become president or even get better at writing these weekly devotions. After all – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Before we get carried away with ourselves, let's get a clear view of this popular verse. The word “strengthens” is from the Greek word “endunamo", which means to empower, or enable. In context it represents Christ accomplishing his work through us. Christ is not just giving us the strength or ability to accomplish whatever we set our sites on, rather his strength enabling us, little Christs, to do what he needs us to do as his hands and feet. (2 Corinthians 5:20) 

So, what does Jesus want done? More pointedly, what does Jesus want done in your life? The answer to that lies inside the Bible, God’s holy word. Read-read-read, pray-pray-pray and seek counsel from godly, spiritual fruit-producing people. Through the application of these steps you’ll find before you the glorious revelation of Jesus’ personality, character and work ethics.

Many of our wants and desires are biblical and God's will as well, but we should allow God to be the one to lead us into carrying them out and make them happen according to his perfect plan and time. And, as you learn more and more of who He is and what He values, it will become more and more clear to you what “all these things” are and can trust that He will strengthen you to do them.

Julie Peyton
Founder, Fit for the King Ministries International

She lay uncomfortably on the bed while in the far corner of the room sat a dark, grievous figure. He made no attempt to come any closer yet his presence somehow left her paralyzed with fear.

"How long have I been locked in here?" she asks, partly to herself and partly to the one sitting in the shadows. After several minutes with no response she musters up a whisper, "I'm leaving."

"You cannot leave," the shadow responds, "The door is locked and I have the only key." She is too afraid to attempt to prove him wrong.

She stands up from the bed and begins pacing the floor. Dejected and with feelings of helplessness she sighs, "How will I ever get out of here?"

Making her way to the bay of windows on the south side of her room she sees her sisters sitting in the courtyard, enjoying the sunshine. Their careless laughter created conflicting feelings of happiness and jealousy as she remained captive inside her room. Her emotions began to well inside her until she screams, "I want out!"

"You cannot leave," he replies, mocking her plight, "And besides, what will happen if you do leave? No one wants you. Do you think any of the girls in the courtyard even want you? And what about your Father....where is he?" 

Unable to speak, she sits down on the bed and begins to cry. Through sobs and the sorrow of shame, regret and remorse, she catches a glimpse of the book sitting on her desk that her Father had given her some time earlier. He had assured her that any time she was in search of answers she need only to look to the pages found inside the soft, leather binding.

Picking the book up from the desk she holds it to her nose, breathes in, then sits back on the edge of the bed and begins to read. Caught off-guard, the dark figure raises an eyebrow and inquires as to what she is doing. Saying nothing, she continues reading and then in a physical manifestation of confidence, lifts her head towards the door.

Behind her are screams of evil as the shadow now recognizes her movement as his demise. Angrily he attempts to lunge toward her only to realize he is restrained to the chair, unable to move. His continued snarling and writhing seem to have no ill effects on her but rather the opposite as a long-forgotten smile grows across her face.

With her heart pounding in her chest and the book griped tightly in her arms, she hastens towards the door. The twelve feet from the bed to the exit seem like a mile as sweet freedom lay before her and innate hatred from the shadows now grows farther away. 

Slipping on the hardwood in her socked feet she fumbles to the door-- fighting against the heaviness of her body to open it. Taking hold of the knob she flings the door open and breathes as one coming up out of the water, gasping for air. It was unlocked!

Now across the threshold her eyes lift from the floor and meet Someone unexpected. She shouts with excitement, "Father!". Wrapping His arms around her tightly, she buries her head into his chest as her tears of relief soak his garments. As the Father stands holding his beautiful daughter in his arms he remembers there is something very important he needs to show her. Getting her attention, he lifts her head from His chest and wipes the tears from her eyes. Refocusing, she watches as her Father brings his right hand into her sight, opens it and there in his palm lay the Key to Freedom--the key to the new life that now lay ahead!

Julie Peyton
Founder, Fit for the King Ministries International

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." (John 11:17-22; read vv.1-45)

Lazarus was dead, no question. His body had been prepared, the mourners had come, the tears had flowed, the stone had been rolled across the tomb. His sisters, Mary and Martha, had sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was dying. The Lord received their plea, and although saddened by how troubled his loved ones were, he expressed that ultimately Lazarus' death would work to God's glory. (vv. 4-5)

Finally, some four days later Jesus arrived in Bethany. The grueling process of grieving for their beloved brother must of seemed like an eternity to Mary and Martha. When word of Jesus' arrival reached the sisters ears, Martha ran out to meet Jesus, while Mary remained solemnly inside--too grief stricken to even greet him.

Martha addresses her friend, Jesus, with what one could discern as a little hurt in her voice, "If only you had come sooner...he would not have died."(vs.21) It is reasonable that she would wonder why the Lord would choose to show up now. She was familiar with his diety and what he was capable of and so pushes through her grief and lack of understanding towards faith. Jesus did not come to the rescue quickly, but he did come and in fact he is here now! (vs.22) 

Although all hoped seemed trapped inside the darkness of a sealed tomb, Martha allowed the Lord another chance to reveal himself to her and family. Mary trustingly says, "Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." (v.22) "Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." "When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." (vv. 23 & 43)

Jesus is still in the business of bringing people and circumstances back from the dead! Do you have hope in that? A hope that says, "Things look dead, Jesus--my marriage, my finances, my prodigal child, my health, my relationship with a friend or family member--but I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Do you have faith that Jesus, although he seems to linger, is coming to your rescue and God's glory will be revealed through you for years to come?

Don't give up...keep praying...have faith...He hears you and will answer according to his will!

Julie Peyton
Founder, Fit for the King Ministries