Developing Inner Strength

The Christian journey needs people with the inner strength that will sustain them when it gets tough. It's how you walk that will determine how far you go.

 

I must state that developing inner strength is a progressive process and each challenge we encounter helps us to grow stronger.

 

There is so much we can learn from the Bible and today I want us to draw some lessons from Jesus' apostles, Peter and John. In the early days of their ministry, post the Day of Pentecost when there was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they faced serious challenges.

 

In Acts 4 we read of their arrest for preaching about Jesus Christ and in particular healing of a crippled man who used to sit by the Temple's gate begging for money. A few things we can learn from their experience. What is clear during their ordeal is their boldness which is a result of inner strength. Three principles we can learn from the two.

 

Walk in the Spirit

 

When they were interrogated on the power they had done these things Peter had the audacity to tell the Jewish leaders that the man had been healed through the power of the name of Jesus Christ. The author (Luke) tells us that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

God strengthens us through the Holy Spirit who dwells in our inner being. God himself makes a home in the hearts of believers. That's why we boldly claim, "Greater is He who is within us than the one in the world." 

 

The Jewish were mesmerized by the boldness of these two apostles who were less educated but were with Jesus.The difference was that they lived according to the dictates of Holy Spirit.

 

Walk by Faith 

 

Peter and John fully trusted God. Their faith was established in God and their desire was to please Him. When they were sternly warned not to mention the name of Jesus again, they told them point blank that they would rather obey God than men. Their faith in God made them not to be shaken in spite of the circumstances. They applied the principle, "We walk by faith not by sight."

Walk with other Saints

 

When they were released they went to the other believers and shared with them their ordeal. Together with the believers they prayed for boldness such that there was an earthquake where they were assembled.

 

You need people who will encourage and support you, people who will carry your burdens with you. These people did not pray for the removal of the challenge but they prayed for inner strength to overcome. These are the kind of people you need to surround yourself with to help you develop your inner strength.

Empowered With Inner Strength

I am sitting here thinking of the Christian journey. In my mind there's someone who has had to endure many difficulties in life but still manages to smile. This person has this inexplicable joy and peace in spite of the many trials.

Questions keep flooding my mind. What is it that keeps one going when quitting would be the easiest and less costly option? How does one truly hopes "this too shall pass" when all logic suggests otherwise? How does one deal with all the negative voices coming from everywhere, whispering discouragement?

We will face challenges now and then. Some may be short term and some may last longer. But through it all we must rejoice in the Lord. We must thank God in all circumstances.

As I am writing this piece Andrae Crouch's song 'Through It All' is impressed in my heart. The last verse goes like this;

I thank God for the mountains,
and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms
He brought me through
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know God could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God could do...

It takes someone with inner strength to sing these words when things seem to be going from bad to worse. Only God can supply such strength. Only God can give you inner strength to face any trouble with much boldness and joy till the storm passes over. Each challenge is an opportunity to demonstrate God's power. It only takes someone empowered with inner strength to have such a view of life.

This is my prayer for you;

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit." - Ephesians 3:16 NLT

Living An Impactful Life - Part 2

It scares me when I hear people saying they are better off without Christians in their midst. It really pains me when I hear people saying they have lost confidence in Christians. And my friend, I have heard that many times.

If you happen to be one of those people, I just want to assure you that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never changes. Don't lose confidence in Him.

Thinking about Jesus, I am reminded that during His earthly ministry He came through for many who had lost hope. Those who desperately needed Him were  touched by His compassionate heart and were saved - physically and spiritually.

In our last post we talked about a woman named Dorcas whose life was a blessing to the less privileged. The people who were impacted by her life were desperately hopeless in her death. But when they heard that Peter was around, they had confidence in him that he will bring a solution hence they requested him to come as soon as possible.

We learn that living an impactful life will land you into difficult situations and you must be the solution. When people see you they see hope. When people see you they will know their problems will be solved. They will leave it all to you. They will say, "Ngoba sekukhona wena konkhe sekulungile." (Now that you are here all is well).

That is not easy. In fact, it's scary. I don't know what was in Peter's mind when he was called to 'solve the problem' (Dorcas' death). These people wanted their beloved one alive, end of story! He had to make a difference.

He could have said, "She is dead, there is nothing I can do," and settle with strengthening them with comforting words. But as a man whose mission was to make an impact, he had to take a leap of faith and go beyond the ordinary.

This scene draws us into Peter's secret. To live an impactful life, he knew his Creator. That's why before he did anything, he had to have a one-on-one talk with the Giver of life. He ordered everyone out and knelt down and prayed. What happened after that was extraordinary and supernatural. Dorcas came back to life. This news spread throughout the town, Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. What an impact!

If we are to live an impactful life, we must know the Author of life. We must have a strong and deep relationship with the Author of life. We must depend upon the Author of life!

Living An Impactful Life

"She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor." - Acts 9:36

The story of Dorcas is very brief but very insightful. Quickly we are told of her life, death, and amazingly her resurrection from death. Don't we all wish our beloved ones who have responded to the Lord's call could be raised from the dead? We find solace in the knowledge that those who died as believers shall be raised and live eternally.

The focus of the story is on the impact Dorcas made while she was still alive. She was a dressmaker and she used her occupation to serve the Lord. She stitched her life into the hearts of the less privileged.

We are told that she fell sick and died. Fortunately Peter was in a nearby town where he was preaching and he was called to the room where Dorcas body was. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showed Peter the coats and clothes that Dorcas had made for them. Peter had to ask them to excuse him as he prayed for the resurrection of this woman and the awesome God answered the prayer. How wonderful!

The death of Dorcas was devastating to the widows simply because she had made a difference in their lives. She cared about them and endeavored to use the very talent that God blessed her with to serve them. She brought a smile to their faces and in her they experienced the love of God.

It's a challenge to all of us, especially those who profess to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. What impact are you making in society? Whose life are you changing? Are you using the skill or talent that God has blessed you with to bless others? That one act of kindness can change someone's life for good.

When you depart from this planet, who is going to be standing at your graveside saying, "_________(insert your name) is gone but he/she has made an impact in my life and here's evidence."