What is endurance of life but learning to be humble/abased and also to abound/to excel. Life teaches many things and so does faith. To experience faith on superficial realm by reading scripture one learns that it talking about pure life. Yet to dig a little deeper one sees people learning to trust in a God that has revealed himself to them. Paul was no exception he found faith being more then religious law or governmental law, but deep in the recesses of the heart of understanding that God was equipper of all things. God was the one that would give him endurance through good times and the bad. That Christ would strengthen him when hungry and when full.

I never thought one could be too full of the word of God but it is possible. It is the point where we become to heavenly minded on the things of God we become no earthly good. Some point one has to get out of the clouds of heaven and join life, but a sabbatical is needed for backsliders and teachers of faith. Backsliders are often hungry for God’s word and teachers are so full of God’s word that they need time off to do other things so they are more profitable when teaching, or preaching. They have to concentrate on things for daily living. Studying God’s word for hours can be enjoyable, but it can be taxing on social life, that is important for any ministry.

Paul knew what it was to be hungry for God’s word, and yet he also knew what it was to be full. Paul knew what it was to work, play and preach. Fullness did not mean he could not sew a tent or being hungry did not mean he could sew a tent. It meant he needed to do something besides preach. He needed to something more then just share the Gospel, but he also knew it was his life to share the Gospel and there was no turning back.

To exercise for me is nothing new, but something old almost forgotten since typing so much about Christ. Yet at the same time I realize something more, there is times one needs reminder of the importants of fresh air, and the world around them. It change not things about what is really going on, but it helps one strengthen and grow strong once more. Christ is the one that will strengthen you spiritually with His word and Spirit. God also needs us to be as physically strong as we possibly can to do his will. God is able to strengthen us physically, mentally and emotionally, if we will trust in Him, but there is a point where we must also do our part. Sitting and typing on a couch will not strengthen muscles not used, it will only strengthen the brain. If I counted the keys I press every day and count them as mileage I wonder how many finger steps there would be. Fingers might be strong to type but the rest of me needed strengthening. Here is the point anyone in the business world knows the importance of good exercise. Hot young executives playing racket ball three times a week sounds boring to some, but the workout for some is life saving. That five mile walk back and forth to work might seem useless to those sitting all the time but the health benefits are endless unless one falls and breaks a leg. Endurance is not always the ability but the ability to overcome controversy in life and obstacles of faith as learning to avoid the potholes on the road to work so one does not break a leg.

Endurance is essential of learning to press on, but one can not be successful spiritually without pressing on with Jesus. If you want to grow in Christ you must allow His Spirit and His words to feed you daily so you will grow, mature, and endure. Early church went through persecution and the church world still gets persecuted today. Young ones in the Lord to be persecuted unto death only know the power of God and His strength as the trust for the moment of death. Those of faith who have endured many years know how to press on even when their world is upside down, or God will teach them. Some believers never experience a problem until the death of a love one or hardship of going without for a time of something they needed. Though it might seem some people hardship are not very life altering in on respect, it is simple daily leaning on Christ to see one through is important. Learning to trust and obey Jesus through the knowledge and wisdom of God’s word.

Despite where you are in life the need to trust and allow Jesus to be your minister daily is important. To allow him to work in your life by gaining a personal relationship with Jesus. By simply applying receiving Jesus first as Lord and Savior and confessing your sins to him. To know you are forgiven. Then learning to apply God’s word.

Well if I say I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I must ask how do I apply it. Will to apply Christ to your life one must apply God’s word and the things spoken by Christ Spirit to your heart. My words might encourage you and help you, but it will be God’s words that will enable you spiritually to press on in faith. There are many good authors in the world from all walks of life, but there is no spiritual writer like God who works in the lives of his people giving them hope of a better tomorrow and eternity. God did not say we would not die, but we have the opposition of our eternity heaven or hell. We do nothing we go to hell and we receive Christ we will be with Him in paradise someday.

Spirituality is the hope when the world is in chaos, and when the world is at peace. To do all things through Christ who strengthens me, is more then just a nice phrase. God is able to strengthen us physically and spiritual when have need, but do not expect to the a super hero with large amount of super strength. God often give us what we need and not in abundance so we learn to trust Him. Those in abundance know the abundance from God comes with responsibility. Yet with that responsibility comes also the need to rely on godly wisdom from above and sometimes through others that know God too.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens. It is talking about Christ providing the strength, and it not be in our power to do it necessarily. Gideon had fighting men who cup their hand to drink water. They were aware of their surroundings at all time, but that did not mean they were suitable for God’s army. God choose the men he separated that lapped water. You can find the story in Judges 7. The point is God ability not ours is required for spiritual warfare. The battle of spirituality is based on God’s strength not ours. He just needs to lead the blind people through the war, so they do not stumble. Our trust must be solely on Him. Can you trust in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to get through the day, to get through the spiritual warfare in life. If God gives you a glance of the battle, be ever so thankful that he allows you to serve without knowing at times what really going on in spiritual war zones, but to see his fruit of love and compassion.

Let Christ be your strength and your hope. Let Christ lead you on. Let Christ empower you today to do all things for the Kingdom of God.

Dear Heavenly Father strengthen your people to your will and way. In Jesus precious name, Amen.