January 2, 2012 Devotional

Relying on God's Strength

  
Happy New Year! It's hard to believe another year has passed!
 
Every year my husband and I think and pray about a theme for our church for the coming year. This year it's "Blueprint...Beginning with the end in mind." As we are preparing to introduce this new theme to our church we're thinking about what it means to us as individuals, as Christians, as parents, and as pastors.   How do we want to feel at the end of this year? What goals can we set to accomplish that feeling next January?
 
I just keep thinking the same thing....I simply want to PLEASE God. I want to please Him in my marriage, in my parenting, in the way I pastor people and handle conflict, and in how I live out every aspect of my personal life. Proverbs 16:7 says, "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. "
 
Last summer I took my 6-year-old son swimming.   He was so excited to show me he had learned to turn flips under water. He kept saying, "Look Mom!" With all the effort and skill he had, he would go under the water and attempt to turn the best flip ever!
 
After just a few seconds, his sweet, little wet face would pop up out of the water and as soon as he could catch his breath he would say, "Wait Mom, that wasn't it!" Then the process would start all over again. He knew he could do it, and he desperately wanted me to see his accomplishment and be proud of him. But he would lose his focus and crash under pressure.
 
I sometimes feel that way with God. I know I have what it takes to handle a situation in a godly way. I know I have the words of God deep inside of me to speak when my flesh is screaming other words. I know I have God's love deep in my heart to love that unlovable person. However, I find myself, like little Gavin, screaming, "Look God!" Unfortunately, often times, that statement is also followed by, "WAIT, that wasn't it!"
 
Then I realize I'm drawing from my own strength. I'm relying on Stephani and not on God. I DO have what it takes but only IN and THROUGH God's power at work within me. 2 Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." When I simply remember to draw from the right source I am able to speak and act in a way that is pleasing to God. 
 
As 2012 begins, join me in saying, "Look, God! WE can do this!"

Stephani Allred  

Journey Church
Sallisaw, OK
www.journeychurchonline.com