Craig Clouston

 

Jesus Is Able To Do What Needs To Be Done

September 13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

He’d preached a powerful message of freedom, freedom from the fears that hold hearts hostage. “I want to give you an opportunity,” he said in conclusion. “On the small piece of paper I’ve given you, I’d like you to list the ‘anchors’ in your life…those things you fear and hold you back.”

“I commit to those of you who decide to bring God your requests, to pray daily for each request until God tells me to stop. You need not give your name. God knows who you are. So, if you want an ally in your battle, bring them and lay them in the offering plate.” As the Worship Team played people came, dropping their ‘anchors’ in the offering plate, grateful to have a co-laborer in their struggles.

The man was faithful, he didn’t need coaxing. He considered it a privilege to join hands with them; for each person was someone he knew and cared about.

But one note in particular pricked at his heart. And each time he read it he prayed for two people, the one who had written this request…and himself; himself because he shared this fear. On the three inch piece of paper were the words, ‘Fear of failing at what needs to be done.’

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Paul, in today’s text, claimed he could do anything with Jesus by his side, yet stumbled at times. In Romans 7, he shares: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me,” proving, life is a struggle…even for the strongest Christian.

Most, if not all of us, have a fear of failing at something. We doubt we are equal to the challenge. But we, like Paul, need to press on in spite of our fear, knowing that Jesus is equal to the challenge. By asking for Jesus’ help…then listening and doing what He says…we will receive the strength necessary to be set free from our fears.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, I need your help. Show me how to do what needs to be done and give me the strength to do it. Amen.”