Strength Unknown

"For I am crucified with Christ and yet I live

Not I but Christ that lives within me

His Cross will never ask for more than I can give

For its not my strength but His

There's no greater sacrifice

For I am crucified with Christ and yet I live"

Crucified with Christ- By Phillips, Craig & Dean

(This song is on my play list for your listening pleasure.)

I was at work setting up my food-service station, listening to worship and just focusing on the Lord, when the song "Crucified for Christ" came on. I have heard this song many times but I am not sure I ever listened to the words or the message. But as the song played, my heart and my spirit felt as if they grew and became stronger. Spiritual steroids will never be a topic that I will preach; but the understanding that the Lord will not ask me for more than I can give hit me so hard. The thought of this truth is even bringing tears to my eyes as I type this right now. You see, I have always preached and tried to live out the idea that is taught in Luke chapter 9--

Luke 9:23

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me,

he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

There have been times that bearing this cross has been so overwhelming that the idea of ridding myself of the burden of it seemed the only way to survive the crushing weight. However, this cross that we have been asked to bear can and will only be manageable through the strength of our Creator. The cross will never ask more of me than He, my Lord, will give me strength for. So what does this mean? How does this play out in my day to day living?

• When the tapestry of this life seems to be ripping in pieces with no hope for the future--He will hold this life together. In fact, He has already laid out the future! He already knows what that tapestry will look like and it makes Him smile.

• When relationships become strained and we feel surrounded by a sea of sadness--He can bring wholeness and give us a reason to smile once more!

• When the way has been lost and darkness has surrounded us--He will be our light and lead us back to the right path!

• When all of those promises seem broken and breathing seems difficult--He will show us the way!

• When what we have earned has been stripped of us and we feel unprotected and naked--He will guard us and wrap us in His arms of true protection!

During this last week, I was spending some time worshipping the Lord and He broke my heart for Him once more. You see, during this season of my life, my brain keeps coming up with the idea that the Lord is not paying attention to me and is not walking with me the way I think He should. My heart tells me differently but, in moments of weakness, my brain wins out and I find that some of my days are sadder than they should be. But the Lord reminded me--and also wants to remind you--that He is right there with us. He is walking through every storm and every situation. Just because life has its obstacles and tragedies does not mean that He is not present. Our God never once promised to save us from every heartache that we would face. Instead, He promises to never leave us or forsake us. He promises to give us strength in our weakest hours. He promises to give us joy and hope to replace the darkness and pain. Last February, I wrote a song about these feelings I have had and, as I was playing it this week, it was like the Lord reached over and gave me a big hug. This may sound a bit strange, but it was very real to me, and I hope that as you read these words, you might have that same experience. Our God is real and His love is amazing! I think our biggest problem is that we all have spiritual amnesia and too easily forget who our God is and what He has done for us. Here are the words...

Where Were You?

By Kristopher Dahir

(My questions)

Where were you when the storms came calling my name?

Where were you when my life had darkness and shame?

Where were you when my world was full of blame?

Where were you? Where were you? Where were you?

Where were you when the fog and the flood poured in?

Where were you when the night was dark and so dim?

Where were you when my heart was broken again?

Where were you? Where were you? Where were you?

(The Lord's response)

I was there with my arms reaching to you.

Calling your name, calming your fears.

I am here don’t you fear, my child, my love

I am here, I am here, I am here!

I was there when the storms came calling your name.

I was there through all of the darkness and shame.

I was there when your world was filled with blame.

I was there, I was there, I was there!

I was there when the fog and the flood poured in.

I was there when your night was dark and so dim.

I was there when your heart was broken again.

I was there, I was there, I was there!

(My response)

You were there with your arms reaching to me.

Calling my name., calming my fears.

You were there I won’t fear, my God and my King.

You were there, you were there you were there!

(My challenge to you)

He is here with His arms reaching to you.

Calling your name, calming your fears.

He is hear don’t you fear, He’s your God and your King.

He is here, He is here, so don’t fear!

May God bless you this week. Whatever you face, remember that you are NOT alone! In closing, I am going to steal an excerpt out of a devotional that my wife and I read together. This devotional is talking about guidance and God's ultimate plan for us by looking at the life of Joseph out of the book of Genesis chapter 50.

"Joseph's brothers had sold him into slavery. It was an unexpected turn, especially in light of the dreams he had recently had. Joseph wasn't off track. The plans of his brothers for harm fit with the plans of God for good. Though everyone involved was quite unaware of God's hand, their steps were ordained by Him. He had seen the whole tragedy ahead of time and woven His plan into it. Or He had seen the plan and woven the tragedy into it. We're not sure exactly how His sovereignty operates in the self-will of humanity, but know that it does. Even when life throws the unexpected at us, it is never unexpected for God. He always has a plan." 

Written by Chris Tiegreen