Can't Or Won't

 Bible Reading: Philippians 4:13-23

Key Verse: Verse 13 - “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Key Words: I can

No offense intended but this devotion is not for everyone.  Normally I do not restrict my words to any specific group, but today in this devotion I am!!  This devotion is for the saved only, those who are born again.  If that’s not you then this devotion is not for you because you are lacking a major ingredient to carry out what we are going to write about.  That ingredient is the power of God. Non-Christians are simply unable to choose righteous paths consistently.  Now then, if you know Jesus as your Savior you need to lose one word from your vocabulary: the word “can’t.”  Let me show you what I am talking about.

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Let me give you another verse.  II Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  And another, I Corinthians 10:13,  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Now hold on a minute, did you read every word?  Do you get the idea that God has given you the power to accomplish His will for your life?  Let me just be very plain.  It all comes down to two words, “can’t” or “won’t.”  It seems that we prefer the word “can’t.”

• I can’t get along with my spouse.
• I can’t forgive.
• I can’t control my temper.
• I can’t make it to church every service.
• I can’t be on time.
• I can’t control my body.
• I can’t control my appetite.

“Can’t” gives you an excuse, a way out, it soothes the conscience; but it is really a lie.  You can, so why not tell the truth?

• I won’t get along with my spouse.
• I won’t forgive.
• I won’t control my temper.
• I won’t make it to church every service.
• I won’t make it on time.
• I won’t control my body.
• I won’t control my appetite.

 I wish I could find a better way to communicate this; but I just can’t, oops, won’t.  Now, go out and have some self-control by God’s power

                                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do:

✞ Go out and labor for God, because you can.