A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Can Do"

 Many of us grew up hearing the story about the Little Engine that could. That little engine pulling its heavy load up the hill puffing all the way, "I know I can. I know I can." Only after it learned to change its attitude from, "I think I can" to I know I can" was he able to make it to the top and get the job done. This is a great lesson in self-confidence, but for those of us in Christ we need more than self-confidence to get the job done. In fact, any attempt to live the holy life and fulfill our responsibilities as God's people puffing "I know I can. I know I can" will only end in disaster for it is impossible to live on human will and strength. It takes far more than an attitude change to live as God calls and expects us to live. It requires a radical change in understanding and perspective, along with being tapped into the source.

 Living as God calls in every situation and all circumstances is not wishful thinking. It is to be a living reality. We must not allow our limited human resources and weakness determine how we live and what we do for Christ. As long as we concentrate and focus on the impossibility we are paralyzed and ineffective Christians at best. As long as we focus on what we do not have and our limited resources we remain dormant, accomplishing little for His Kingdom. But, when we recognize what is available to us in Christ we rejoice with proclaiming, "I can do everything through Him who gives me the strength." (Philippians 4:13) Our shout is not "I know I can" it is "In Christ I can!" In Christ we are to have a 'can do" mentality for we know God supplies "all of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

 We need to be careful for this glorious promise and provision is not a ticket for frivolous living or ministry. Nor is it resources for self-glory and advancement of personal dreams or goals. Rather it is all that we need to accomplish God's calling and will. It is the enablement and resource for living holy and for ministry. It is divinely granted ability to live as God commands and to accomplish His purposes. It is what we need to live a life that glorifies God and accomplish effective Kingdom building ministry.

 Beloved there is a life to be lived, a ministry to be accomplished, and a world to be reached. We have all that we need accomplish it all. God's people are a can do people, accomplishing the impossible in Christ. The only limitations we have a self-imposed and must be removed. Let us in faith grab hold of the glorious promise and provision we have in Christ beloved and get to it. We can do all things through Him who gives us the strength!

Keep Close To Jesus.
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
Return to Devotional Index