I CAN DO THIS – Morning Devotional – From the Edges –

I CAN DO THIS !
From the Edges – Morning Devotions
Prepared victoriously by Pastor Calvin Cook – August 22, 2024

Scripture focus – Philippians 4:13 ESV – I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

The words “I CAN DO THIS” was spoke into my very being early this morning. This following a wrestling match with the Holy Spirit of the things I am being called to, that I continually put off. To the things I have passion for to develop for the purposes of my life, business, personal goals, finances and all being flavored goals, dreams and aspiring thoughts. All centering on the will of God, lifting Christ higher, and helping others to find a relationship with Jesus and understand what it is to live the best life possible.

This wrestling match might have started because I tend to allow my dreams to get in the way of the plans that God has for me. This is where Jeremiah 29:11-13 continues to resonate – “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

All of this might be a remnant left from this last week’s sermon that was entitled “Laying Down Nets – Picking up the Cross (You want me to do what Jesus?). It might be the many things that are on my drawing board just as visions and dreams, the things I have started and failed. It might be a call to completing the things I have thought about, planned, encountered, and never put energy into bringing to life or completion. I might be thinking of the young people who are returning to school for the first time to pre-school, elementary, high school and college. I have watched and prayed and lamented over the fear of new things, only to push them to the back burner.

Knowing that plan, that God is in it, that the Holy Spirit is driving us should bring us to the point where we can proudly say with our hope firmly planted on the rock of Jesus – “I CAN DO THIS” and then actually do it. This morning I am making my “I CAN DO THIS” list in my journal. A list that will remind me everyday regardless of what category this goal falls into that will produce fruit. Fruit that will last and continue to reproduce so that others might experience that goodness of God. One of the first and most important resolutions that has to be made is that it is really not for our glory or prosperity but for the GLORY of GOD !

I want to challenge you as well to make your “I CAN DO THIS” list, whether it be in your journal, on a white board, on a sticky note, somewhere where it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. Maybe it will have categories, personal improvement, drawing closer to Jesus, business, finance, exercise, diet, self-improvement, etc etc. Whatever in your resolve that you’re ready to move into the place in mind, body, and soul care to help you balance.

I want to be your coach through this, I want to help you attain your goals. I also want you to be my coach. May we make a covenant to support each other, encourage each other, and build each other up just as 1 Thessalonians 5 directs us. This is what “followers of Jesus” embrace – love of God, and love of others. Move out of the negativity and the sin of procrastination into a new and glorious life.

May we begin with these words and committing them to memory from Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me!” “You CAN DO THIS” “I CAN DO THIS” – Keep on keeping on as we live life from the edges while following Jesus.