Gratitude Series Episode 19

Hello, my walking friend! Can I say a blessing over you as you begin your walk? Lord, thank you for this precious soul that you love so much. Please bless them with revelation and nearness as you walk with them today. Amen. I just wanted you to know you that as I record this, you are on my heart and mind.

Today is the 19th episode in the gratitude series. In each podcast during this series we will take some time to focus on thanking Jesus for something specific and we will have two different verses to contemplate. Today we will be thanking Jesus for his power.

Our first verse to meditate on is Philippians 4:13:

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Do you consider yourself a strong person or a weak one? I am not necessarily talking about physical strength, but rather emotional, and most importantly, spiritual. In fact, if we were to rate where in our lives it was most important to be strong, physical strength would probably rank least important and spiritual strength most important, don’t you think?

I want to be a stronger person of faith. I want to have a boldness and power that can only come from Jesus, so that I can do all that he has called me to do. Don’t you? And the key to achieving this is right there in the verse – it is through Jesus. It is his power in us that allows us to live boldly. Through him, and his power, we will have the strength to do what he calls us to do. If Jesus has called us to do something, he will equip us to do it!

I know it is easy to feel weak – especially when you look around at all that is going on in the world. It is easy to feel powerless when it feels like evil is winning in the world. But is there anyone or anything more powerful than Jesus? No! He is omnipotent – all powerful! And his power is in us! Brothers and sisters, you are mighty warriors for the Lord! So when you start to feel weak and powerless, put your focus on Jesus and remember that he is all powerful. Don’t retreat into the darkness around you – be a light in this world. Jesus will strengthen you with his power to stand firm. Trust him. One day he will come back in glory and reveal his power to the world. Live in that truth today – live in victory, with boldness, for Jesus. You have been qualified to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light! Just listen to our second verse, Colossians 1:11-13

… being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

Aren’t you grateful that Jesus is our strength? Aren’t you thankful that the power you have comes from Jesus – holy, perfect, good, just, merciful Jesus? It is the glorious might of Jesus that gives us patience and endurance – to live through our trials with joy, to be a light in darkness, to fight the good fight.

Now let’s take a little time to think about these two verses on the power of Jesus and thank him for giving it to us so we can live boldly for him.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

The second half of our walk is an opportunity for reflection, meditation, and prayer. For many of us, myself included, this might feel challenging. But the spiritual rewards of developing this discipline are great and so is the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. So let’s start with some questions to guide you followed by a short interlude for reflection.

Take some time to think of a time when you acted boldly in a situation or took a step of faith in an unfamiliar direction.
Do you think all believers have access to the power of Jesus or is it only available to select saints? Consider your answer now (and by the way, it is available to all believers!)
Take time to thank Jesus that he has qualified you, by his power and might, to share in the inheritance of his holy people. Consider what it means to be a light in darkness.

Now let’s listen again to today’s verses:

Philippians 4:13:

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Colossians 1:11-13

… being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to and to thank Jesus now.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for saving me so that I can live with you in the kingdom of light. Thank you for giving me the power to live in the world, but not be of the world. Help me be a light in the darkness. I know I can’t do this on my own. I need your power and strength. Thank you for equipping me with your word so that I can be a warrior for you. Thank you for your glorious might that strengthens me. Thank you for empowering me to do all you have called me to do. And thank you, Jesus, for always walking with me. Amen.

Well, you did it! Another 10 minutes of walking and another opportunity to build the spiritual discipline of prayer and quiet time with the Lord. I’m grateful for you and I’m grateful you took the time to walk with me today. But more importantly, you walked with Jesus, whose power and might know no bounds!

For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkwithJesusDevotional.com. The November edition focuses on gratitude and is a part of this podcast series. You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes.

I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will be thanking Jesus for work. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.