Myth, 136

 ~ Christians Need Greater Strength ~

 

Myth  ~  The Christian life is impossible because of the lack of strength and talents that are needed. 

 

Reality  ~  From the human perspective this is true.  But with the spiritual strength and resources possessed by all Christians all that is needed is provided. 

 

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

 

Scripture  ~  “And lest I [the Apostle Paul} should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in [your] weakness.’  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). 

 

Quotes  ~  “God does not need your strength: He has more than enough of power of His own.   He asks our weakness: He has not of that Himself, and He is longing therefore, to take your weakness, and use it as the instrument in His own mighty hand.  Will you not yield your weakness to Him, and receive His strength?  ~ Charles Spurgeon 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Myth, 135

 ~ Worry Is A Necessary Part of The Christian Life ~

 

Myth  ~  Trouble is ahead therefore I must work at trying to solve tomorrow’s problems today.

 

Reality  ~  Once again we find an element of truth.  Most likely in the future we will face some more trouble.

 

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

 

Scripture  ~  Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

 

“So why do you worry about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

 

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek.  For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:25-34).

 

Additional Passage  ~  “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Myth, 134

 ~ Christians Should Fear Satan ~

 

Myth  ~  The myth is that in the present age Satan is as powerful as God.  Unfortunately, even some Christians have fallen for this lie. 

 

Reality  ~  According to Scripture this concept is not at all accurate.

 

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’  Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).

 

Scripture  ~  “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He [The Spirit of God] who is in you is greater than he [Satan] who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

 

Quotes  ~  “Satan controls and paralyzes his prisoners through fear.  Jesus calms and propels His people through faith.” 

 

“Satan’s target is your mind and his weapons are lies.  So fill your mind with the Word of God.” 

 

Comment  ~  If I am a Christian I never need to fear Satan.  God is sovereign – in total control of all that happens – including with regards to the actions, powers, and limits of Satan.

 

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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