Where does the strength of a Christian come from? Most Christians would naturally answer: The Lord. And that is true. But in what way (or ways) do we get our strength from the Lord? Do we realize how much strength the Lord has for us and the many ways He strengthens us?
There is the “dunamis” power of the Lord.
This is the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. We have the "dunamis" power of God in us because of the Holy Spirit. This is the miracle working power of God! In us! This is strength and power for us and others. And when the kingdom of God is furthered, God is empowered also!
There is "living water" which “hydrates the spirit” in the same manner as “physical water hydrates the human body.”
We have strength in the living waters of God that nourish us spiritually; hydrating us so that we can flourish in the heat and pressures of this world.
Isaiah 58:11 “The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
We have strength in the Name of the Lord.
We have strength in the blood of the Lamb. We have strength in the body of Christ. He said He is the bread of life. He took our sicknesses, sins and sorrows on His own body, so that we can be healed, forgiven and comforted. There is strength even in Communion when we take the elements. These are all “strength” for the born-again children of God!
There is strength in worship!
As we worship the Lord and let go of the things of this world and focus our hearts and adoration on the Lord, there is a strengthening that is incomparable to anything else!
The anointing that comes from pure and sincere worship breaks the yokes of stress and even pressure from the enemy and brings us into the presence of the Lord. It is so important to praise God often and sincerely, not only corporately at church or with others, but alone with the Lord.
There is strength in having a sound mind.
Attitude is more than half the battle in any realm. How much more so with a godly attitude. When a person's mind is in line with God's Word and the direction of the Holy Spirit, then as the day's challenges occur, all is received as God directs. This is strength!
There is strength in trusting in God's strength.
For those that trust in riches or their own strength or the strength of an army or government... good luck. Christians who are true disciples of Christ, put their trust in God. Not in circumstances or abilities outside of God! There is power and strength in trusting God's strength!
There is strength in prayer.
Whew! The Lord's ear is open to the righteous and turned away from the evil. That alone is advantage! We are the children of God. We are not orphans. When our Father is God and Jesus our Lord and His Spirit dwells in us and we pray, God listens!
The anointing that comes from pure and sincere worship breaks the yokes of stress and even pressure from the enemy and brings us into the presence of the Lord. It is so important to praise God often and sincerely, not only corporately at church or with others, but alone with the Lord.
There is strength in forgiveness.
“Unforgiveness of others” cancels out our own forgiveness. Without forgiveness, we are sunk. Our own sins would disown and condemn us. In getting forgiveness from God, in forgiving others and even in forgiving ourselves comes incredible strength!
There is strength in right choices.
Our character and choices should be the direct result of being connected to the Lord. If He is the vine and we are the branches, we should be bearing His fruit. Our character and choices should be Christ-like. There is strength in the right character and choices!
Every day, we all empower good or evil by our actions.
Right choices empower heaven to work. Wrong choices further evil and empower evil. Sadly many do not realize “the reach” of our actions. Lies from the devil such as, “I am not hurting anyone” or “I am only hurting myself” are exactly that: lies. Example: I become pressured to tell a lie. The boss says the company is at stake. He is delusional in not realizing that the lie will do more harm than good. If I go along with him and the devil for short term gain, I am not empowering God to work at all. I am only opening my door to sin and the consequences. I could elaborate on this but just let your mind play out the scenarios of both directions. We cannot empower God and the devil both.
Another way our actions empower. I see John having a bad day. He comes to me raging. The Bible says a soft answer turns away wrath. Instead of drinking in John's anger and frustration, I stay calm, pray and just listen. When I finally do speak, I speak soft. This opens the way for true progress. If I just get upset with him and rage with him or combat him, what good will come of it? If my peace is stronger than his lack of it and I keep mine, he has a chance of gaining some of mine.
Peace, love, joy, self-control, humility, kindness, righteousness, faith and moderation are much more pleasant to be around; especially under adversity. Frustration, hate, uncontrolled anger, unruliness, pride, unkindness, selfishness, doubt and indulgence are not pleasant to be around. We have a tendency to “drink in” what is around us. We literally have to choose to fight against the bad aspects that go on around us and hold on to the good inside of us. We need the good ones stronger in us, in order to fight off the bad. If the good in us is stronger, not only are we blessed but we can bless others and this certainly empowers heaven to work rather than darkness.
There is strength in the character of God. There is strength in the character of God ruling and living in us.
Isaiah had something to say about the characteristics and attributes of the Lord.
Isaiah 11:1-5 (NLT) “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment."
When the Lord is in residence and control, there should be wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, obedience to God and hearts that make fair decisions, not based on exploitation or evil. Righteousness and truth cover and hold the covering together. There is much strength “in” the Lord and when He is in us, all of these strengths have the potential to be working in us! We really do need to be “in Him” and “have Him in us.” No wonder the Lord says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” - John 15:7-8.
Having "joy in the Lord" no matter what, is a strength.
Nehemiah 8:10b"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
When we choose to rejoice in the Lord, even and especially when things do not seem to be going right, it is strengthening. There is strength in rejecting heaviness and sadness and drawing from the strength that comes from choosing to be joyful and trusting in the Lord.
Having true "peace in the Lord" is a strength.
Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
When we keep our hearts and minds stayed on the Lord, there is strength in the resulting peace. And the verse above says "perfect peace." The opposite would be in allowing the problem to have our focus and exclude the Lord from our situation. We can give our issues to the Lord and trust Him that He will see us through. The Lord never fails. With Him, all things are possible. King David recorded in the Psalms that some trust in chariots, some in horses but it is better to trust in the Lord. He also recorded to not trust his own bow, sword, wealth or other people including those in power (Psalms 20:6-8, 44:5-8, 49:6-7, 146:3-4). The Psalmist said over and over to: trust in the Lord. He overcame a lion and a bear, a giant with a slingshot and a king who wanted him dead for years. David knew quite well, that if God is for you, that you can overcome what could be overwhelming obstacles.
Thankfulness is a strength.
People that are not thankful, sadly are ingrates. God is not pleased with ungratefulness. Strong people know to be thankful for all that is good and to be thankful even in hard times. This is strength!
Humility is a strength.
How important this is to a Christian. For all, pride goes before the fall. Being humble, being grounded not only helps us, but those around us. “Always realizing God's grace toward us” is one of the greatest strengths there is. If we forget from which we were and still are saved from, then we have the nasty tendency to get self righteous, harsh and critical. Any good we have comes from above. If the Lord should decide to, He can remove any and all of it; looks, brains, wealth, health etc. Never forgetting that we are sinners saved by grace should help us to “pass it on.” There is power in that too. It helps others and empowers the love of God to work. Even when conviction or correction is needed. We are the minute tools of the Lord and He is the heart-changer. There is strength in receiving God's grace, there is strength in realization of the continual need of it and in paying it forward!
In the armor of God there is strength.
We do not fight devils with strength that comes from anywhere but God! And the Lord wants us to have His armor! His armor includes the fruit of the Spirit; which are of His strength, characteristics and nature.
The armor of God verses:
Ephesians6:10 Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength.
We cannot fight a powerful devil with sticks and stones or human muscles. He laughs at that. But the devil does not laugh at the blood or Name of Jesus. He does not laugh at God's Word correctly put in his face. We need the power of the Lord, of His Spirit, to be our strength.
Ephesians6:11 Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil's strategies.
One version says against the “wiles” of the devil. Which means schemes, tricks, ploys, lures and enticements. We may not know all the enemy's strategies, but God does. And when He leads us through battle, He not only leads but He surrounds us. A verse in Psalm 29 says that the voice of the Lord even parts the flames for those that are His.
Ephesians6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
God wants us to win! We have to be equipped. King Saul tried to offer David his armor. But David knew it would not work for him. God has “custom-made armor” for each of us. Not too heavy or too big, but He takes His equipment and makes it work just for each of us. When the day of evil comes, He wants us to stand and when the smoke clears, to still be standing.
Ephesians6:14 So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on "God's approval" as your breastplate.” (This version says“God's approval" but NKJV says “righteousness”- The righteousness of Christ is our best defense against the devil.)
God's might and power are of Him, so is truth. The Lord wants us to hold our garments in place with the belt of truth. What does truth do? Truth “holds it all together” if you will. A soldier can't maneuver if their armor is not on right and put in place to stand. Truth does this. God and the devil know truth from lie. The person speaking it should too. We can fool people but we cannot fool the spirit world. Truth is a strength. Without it, we are as lost as those in the dark. Jesus says that He is the Truth. How great is it to have Truth as Lord and on the throne of our hearts and girding us up, holding it all together!
Ephesians6:15 Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace.
We need to be as Jesus said to be; wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We need to be passionate for the lost around us. Our feet are on the Rock. We have the Gospel in us. We are surrounded by lost people who are living on slippery sand. They are living one breath away from eternity in hell. If we have lost our passion for the lost, we need to seek the Lord until He melts our hearts again. Seeing the lost found is what pleases our Father. He is the Father of the prodigal son and we are the ones safe at home while our brothers and sisters are lost out there living in spiritual pig waller. We need a Gospel of love and peace... repentance yes; but in love. There is power in the Gospel!
Ephesians6:16 In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Faith is a fruit of the Spirit! There is strength in faith! Faith is trust. When we have come to know our God and how He operates, we know to trust Him. He is faithful. And so likewise, we must be also. And when this faith, this trust is locked in with our Lord above; those flaming arrows or darts drop down worthless when shot against us. Let them hit the “holy hedge” of God that is around us. Whew, Yes! How great to have the Lord in us and “us be in Him”... that is a safe place and we can maneuver as soldiers of the faith to help each other and the lost from this position too!
Ephesians6:17 Also take salvation as your helmet and the word of God as the sword that the Spirit supplies.
What is more powerful or more Christ-like, than the mind of Christ Jesus? We have His Word to teach us His ways, we have the Holy Spirit to do the same and guide us day to day, hour to hour and even second to second. And having His mind and using His Word as a sword is not just defensive, its offensive. In the wizard of Oz, they pour water on the wicked witch and she melts. In real life, when we use the Word of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the devil or any of his demons, cannot bear it. In James 4:7 it says: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” - “Flee” means “run away.” A born-again Christian submitted to God who resists him, he runs from. This is strength!! He is like a trickster and a bully who when he sees he can't win, he moves on looking for better options... he really, really does. The Word of God trumps lies and the father of lies. Every time.
Ephesians6:18 Pray in the Spirit in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert. Use every kind of effort and make every kind of request for all of God's people.
The Lord says pray about everything. He says pray without ceasing and to bring our petitions with thankfulness... He says if we are “in Him” and “He in us,” (which also means we are keeping His commandments) we can ask what we want and it will be done. Jesus prayed to the Father and listened for the Father's direction. He wants us to do the same. And we have the Holy Spirit here to help us pray, hear the Father and direct us through every challenge.
When we first become Christians, our spirits become born-again.
We go from darkness to light, literally. While all becomes new in the spirit, our physical being is still the same. If we were 5'11” inches before, we will still be 5'11'' afterward. If we were abused as a child, we become “a saved person” who was abused as a child as well as any other parts of our previous life. Becoming born-again means there will come a whole new way of dealing with it. As we read our Bibles and give our issues to the Holy Spirit, He guides us to have the right attitudes and healing about the past. And we learn how to handle life as it comes, God's way and with His strength.
The mind is physical and must be renewed and kept under the subjection of the born-again spirit who is under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
The mind is where the carnal nature comes from and this is what must be crucified daily. The good news is that in time, it learns who is boss! A born-again person's godly spirit who continually rules over their carnal nature, who works to keep it under submission; learns to follow the direction that God wants us to go. There will always be temptation, but it gets easier to handle as a person continues to keep God first and keep growing in the Lord. There is strength in keeping the carnal nature crucified!
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
All the fruit of the Spirit, the characteristics and attributes of God, living and working in us are more powerful than we can know! There is much power in being obedient and Christ-like. When we fail to do so, we must realize that it is dangerous even giving an inch to the devil!
In conclusion. We as Christians have no shortage of strength and power available to us from our Lord. There is strength in love. There is strength in peace. There is strength in joy. There is strength in goodness, obedience, self control. There is strength in truth and truthfulness. There is strength in humility and meekness. There is strength in having faith and trusting God. There is strength in gentleness and kindness. There is strength in being thankful and gracious. There is strength in the might and wisdom of the Lord. There is strength in prayer. There is unlimited strength in the Holy Spirit inside of us for all we need, including the direction and wisdom for daily guidance and especially challenges. We truly get our strength from the Lord in many, many ways!
Scripture for thought and meditation relating to this message:
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Jeremiah 2:13 "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water."
John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
Nehemiah 8:10 "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Isaiah 58:11 “The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
John 6:32-35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
John 6:47-51 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."
John 6:53-58 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven--not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever."
Luke 22:19-20 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”
Matthew 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Hebrews 10:19-21 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God...
Mark 16:14-20 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...
Isaiah 58:10-11 “If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
Luke 10:17-20 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
2 Timothy 2:1-16 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.
Colossians 1:9-15 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Colossians 2:6-10 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-25 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us.
Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Isaiah 40:28-31 “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
I will lift up my eyes to the hills--from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2