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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Hay barn in snow

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"God Is Able"

"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2 Timothy 1:12).

"Kane is able" sloganI regularly see trucks with an interesting slogan, "Kane Is Able" which makes me wonder if the originator of the slogan might have been influenced by the Biblical characters of Cain and Abel! I'm unfamiliar with this trucking company, but surely their slogan is intended to convey the proficiency of their service. Today we want to focus on the One who is supremely able to care for all our needs and is thus worthy of our utmost trust!

Only after we fully trust an individual will we commit ourselves to that person. Years ago an interesting story was printed in "Our Daily Bread" that is a great illustration of trust:

Tightrope walker at Niagara FallsA crowd gazed in awe as a tightrope walker inched his way across Niagara Falls. The people cheered when he accomplished the feat. Then he turned to a man and said, "Do you think I am able to carry someone across?" "Sure," the man replied.  "Let's go then!" "No thanks!" the man exclaimed.

The story demonstrates a spiritual challenge each of us must face. Our sinfulness is a yawning chasm between us and God, and we are unable to cross it. Only Jesus is able to bring us safely to the other side. But we must repent and trust Him with our lives. Are you trying on your own to cross the chasm of sin that separates you from God? It's impossible. Put your trust in Christ, for He alone is able to bring you to God.

God Is AbleThe apostle Paul confidently wrote, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2 Timothy 1:12)

"Able" is translated from the word dunatos (in turn from dunamai) which refers to the power one has by virtue of inherent ability and resources. "Able" describes that which has sufficient or necessary power, means, skill, or resources to accomplish an objective. Thus in this context dunatos describes one who is powerful enough to have the ability to perform the function of keeping what Paul had committed to Him. "God is able" is also expressed in a theological term known as omnipotence (all-powerful).

In the epistles there are several rich expressions of what God is able to do:
  • "Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ" (Romans 16:25).
  • "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed" (2 Corinthians 9:8).
  • "For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18).
  • "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).
  • "Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy" (Jude 1:24).
That which God is able to do far surpasses our limited knowledge, our finite understanding, and even exceeds that which is recorded in Scripture. (John concludes his gospel saying that the whole world would not have enough room for the books that would be written if all the works of Christ were recorded.)

Interestingly, though, Paul writes that there is one thing God is unable to do; to be untrue to Himself:  "If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful because He cannot be untrue to Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13).  That's one thing I'm glad God is unable to do; be untrue to Himself no matter the failings of humankind.

Our Father was able to see that our righteous acts were no better than filthy rags, that we were without hope when we were without Him. But in Christ Jesus we who once were far away were brought to God through the blood of Christ. Our God is able to see us standing in His presence blameless and without fault, because of the sacrificial blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily Prayer: Father, how wonderful it is that nothing is impossible with You. There is nothing You are unable to do except that which is untrue to Your divine nature. You are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within us.  To You, Father, be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
(See Ephesians 3:20)




Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"He Is Able"
 Video  Heritage Singers  Powerful song!

"Our God Is Able"  Video  Don Moen

Romans 1:16"I Am Not Ashamed"  Video  Heritage Singers  This was the theme of the message on February 10 but this is another version of the song we posted at that time.  It has an outstanding message!

"I Know Whom I Have Believed"
 Video  This is set to a newer tune but maintains the same wonderful words.  It is beautifully sung by a worship team in a local church.

Here's an inspiring piano version of the same song using the familiar tune. Audio
 All through our series of messages on 2 Timothy 1:12 we will be using this song as a background to our daily podcast.

If God Is Good . . . Faith in the Midst of Suffering and EvilIf God Is Good . . . Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil
By Randy Alcorn / Random House, Inc
Difficult times beg questions about God's goodness and power. Offering compelling true stories, fresh answers, and biblical insights, Alcorn challenges the logic of disbelief and reveals the big picture of who God is and what he's doing in the world---equipping you to share your faith clearly with those experiencing pain and fear. 432 pages, hardcover from Multnomah.

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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