"I know I can. I know I can... because of JESUS"

This just came so timely for me....... and I know the story of the Little Engine That Could.. I read it when I was a little girl..... awww... Anyway, just want to share the following devotion reading I received today...... It is another assurance from God to me at this juncture of my life...... Amazing God!.. :D Pray that you would be blessed as I have been blessed and even more as you read on............. *wink*

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Daily Manna
August 19, 2009

I Know I Can

By Cindy Hess Kasper

God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20

Remember the story of The Little Engine That Could? That determined little train climbed the steep hill by chanting positively, “I think I can. I think I can.” And then, as it gained more resolve, it declared, “I know I can. I know I can.”

No one would disagree that followers of Christ should think and live in a positive way. But do you ever find yourself depending too much on your own abilities rather than on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit?

In John 15, Jesus explained our need for complete dependence on Him when He said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (v.5). Paul reminded us that we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens [us]” (Phil. 4:13), that “the excellence of the power [is] of God and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:7), and that we are “strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 3:16).

Because of God’s power, we can do whatever He asks of us—through Him. We can base our confidence not in our own abilities, but in God’s absolute promises.

So, today, with exceedingly more power than the little engine could ever muster, we can say, “I know I can. I know I can—because of Jesus.”

God gives to His servants this promise:

You’ll not have to face life alone;

And when you grow weak in your struggle,

His strength will prevail—not your own. —Hess

God’s requirements are met by God’s enabling.

Phil 4:12b-13
…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

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