I can't do it!

It's easy to know what God wants of us. All we have to do is read the Bible and we'll know. In fact, there's not a single subject we could ever come up with that the Bible does not address. For example, the word cigarette (or speeding or thriftiness or finger nail polish or cleaning house) is not used in the Bible however we could easily deduce FROM the Bible what God would say about the use of cigarettes. Yes, the Bible gives us a perfect roadmap for christian living however following the map consistently will never be a reality for any of us this side of heaven.

There's hope though. If I've learned ANYTHING in my 29 month battle with health issues its that I've been profoundly confused about what God expects of me AND what I am actually capable of achieving in this life.

But here's what I'm coming to understand. Why did I think I could actually draw near to God and his precepts on my own? Alone, with my sinful bent and my natural resistance to spiritual things, I'm helpless. But, armed with what Hebrews 13:20-21 says, I've come to understand WHAT I am capable of and WHERE the resources for obedience come from.

Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep [Who] ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.

Here's what I/we learn from this blog post. It's long, I know, but please, please read on...

1. Jehovah God wants peace for us - Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
2. This same God raised Jesus Christ from the dead - For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead (Colossians 2:12).
3. We dumb sheep have a great Shepherd - For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep (Ezekiel 34:11).
4. This humble Shepherd redeemed us AND ratified God's eternal covenant (promise) with his blood - He (Jesus) took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it" (1 Corinthians 11:25).
5. He will equip us with everything we need to do his will - Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
6. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is ours through and because of Jesus Christ alone - But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name (John 20:31).
7. We have help in doing what pleases him - And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him (1 John 5:14).

 So, take heart, don't be discouraged, know where your help comes from and press on.