It’s amazing how Lake Apopka, one of Florida’s largest most polluted lakes, is still home to a bustling array of wildlife. What’s more amazing is that God continues to use this once pristine place despite human’s mismanagement of natural resources. Many birds (including rare ones) call Lake Apopka home. It is still a beauty and wonder to behold.
The photo of the great blue heron with his catch of the day reminds me of this verse:
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 KJV
The Apostle Paul in the Bible is a great example of God’s provision and power to use someone who had previously persecuted and murdered other Christians. God changed him and used him mightily, even when he was later thrown in prison for furthering the Gospel of Christ.
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Philippians 1:12-14 KJV
While in prison, the Apostle Paul wrote,
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13 KJV
With the strength God gave him, the Apostle Paul was able to focus his time and energy on serving God and others. Rather than worrying about how his needs were going to be met, he continued to encourage others while he was in prison.
Fully allowing God to use us
As we can observe from the Apostle Paul’s example, we can be effective in whatever God has called us to do as long as we tap into His power (Philippians 4:13 KJV). What struck me today was, submitting to God’s full power isn’t just about surrendering our abilities–or even our desires–to Him. We are blocking our own access–we are making ourselves unavailable–to His full power when we short it with our own worries.
What if the Apostle Paul spent more time worrying about his own needs (or looking back at what his well-to-do life used to be as described in Chapter 3)? Would he have then been as effective in the ministry?
There’s no question whether God can provide and that He can use whomever and whatever He wants for His glory and purpose. The question is, are we truly available for God to fully use us? Are we tapping into the Source of Power?
Application
Let’s tap into God’s full power and endless provisions and cast all of our worries at His feet.
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7 KJV
Take action: Take a look at the example that we can learn from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4 KJV. Make note of his attitude and desire to continue encouraging others despite his own situation of being in prison. Then, remember how he shared the Source of his strength in Philippians 4:13 KJV.
If you would like to know to start a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father so that you, too, can tap into His full power, this page shows you how.
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