Category Archives: finding strength

December 10, 2018

Trials!

By marilynnchadwick

The Olympic Trials are a spectacular event. Young athletes from all over the United States compete for the few coveted spots on the US Olympic team.

Of all the Olympic hopefuls, swimmers endure some of the most grueling training schedules. They practice before dawn. Miss out on vacations. Barely remember a lazy day off.  Pretty much sacrifice a normal life—all for the chance to make it to the Olympic Trials.  “Training for trials” has become familiar jargon around here since our youngest son happens to be a competitive swimmer.

As believers we, too, should train for our trials. Like any good coach, James encourages us to face our trials head on: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2 NIV).

I’m so glad you’ve dropped in for our One Word Devotional:  “Journey through James.” Today’s focus is on the word trials. Have you thought about how your daily routine of prayer, reading God’s Word, listening, and obeying—day after day after day—prepares you to stand strong when you are faced with a trial?

Training for trials prepares you for the battles ahead.  Dear friend, do you love the fight of faith? Paul calls it a “good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12).  It’s been said that we should love the fight of faith in the same way an athlete loves his sport.

I don’t know if I’d say I love trials.  But there’s something invigorating about approaching each day on the offensive. Strengthening myself in God’s Word. Being intentional about prayer.

I should walk away from my devotional time armed and ready.  Expectant and watchful.  Alert to signs of God at work. Prepared for opportunities to step out in faith.  Ready to share the Gospel. Meet a need. Take back territory from the enemy.  Determined to stand strong in the inevitable trials of life.

Let’s reflect on the rest of this passage from James:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4 NIV).

Meditate on these verses, paying special attention to the word trials. Notice that James takes us beyond merely enduring trials.  He encourages us to consider our trials as an opportunity for joy. The very tools God uses to strengthen us, build endurance, make us complete!

Think about the joy of an athlete winning his race. What if that same kind of joy awaits us when we prevail in our trial?  Today, let’s agree to train for our trials. And look forward to our victory through Christ!

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December 1, 2018

21 Day Experiment-Day 17

By marilynnchadwick

Ever feel like you’re not of this world? I know I do. Shouldn’t come as a surprise.  What the world believes is often opposite to the principles in Scripture.  Just another reminder that this place is not our home.

So why don’t we just gather up all those with like-minds and form our own little separate society? A survivalist community where we all share the same biblical world-view?  Wouldn’t that be the safest way to live out our time here on Earth? Maybe the disciples wondered the same thing.

Jesus knew His time on earth was short.  He also knew His disciples would be out-of-step with the world. So He prays to the Father: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world” (John 17:14).

But look what He prays next:  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one (John 17:15).

God could airlift His followers out of the fray and send us all to more peaceful pastures.  But here’s the catch: The very same world that hates us actually needs us.  They need our message of good news.  They need grace.  They need Jesus.

There are many in this broken and hurting world who are desperately thirsty for the Gospel.  That’s why Jesus doesn’t call His disciples out of the world.  “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”

If we’re believers in Jesus, we have those early disciples to thank. They didn’t retreat to a safe place, but risked their life to take the Word of Christ “to the ends of the earth.”  So that somewhere along the way, someone would share the Good News of the Gospel with you and with me.

Jesus prays for us, too.  His prayer is my watchword for the day. Let the words of His prayer soak in:

My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me (John 17: 20,21)

Jesus knew you and prayed for you before you were born.  Astounding, isn’t it? Take comfort in that assurance.  Go boldly into your world today. Jesus prayed for you so that you will seek and save the lost.  Stay alert. Watch for the person in your path who desperately needs to know how much He loves them. And remember, He has already prayed for your protection as you go!

 

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November 23, 2018

21 Day Experiment-Day 9

By marilynnchadwick

Blind. The man had been born blind. Just imagine.  He had never seen daylight. Never looked at his own hands. Never gazed upon his parents’ faces.

We can tell from the account in today’s reading of John 9 that the man had never even heard of Jesus.  And yet, he would soon have a dramatic encounter with this controversial Rabbi.

When they saw the blind man, Jesus’ disciples asked a probing question: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:1-3).

When life hits hard, we may wonder whether our pain is payback for some sin. Maybe we’ve agonized in prayer. But for whatever reason, the answer just hasn’t come…at least not yet.

Jesus assured His followers that it wasn’t the man or his parents’ sin that caused the blindness.  Rather, it happened, “so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”

Jesus then healed the man—an astounding miracle that resulted in a show of God’s mighty power to the onlookers! Once again, the Pharisees were furious and eager to accuse Jesus. “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.”

They repeatedly interrogated the blind man, pressuring him to discredit Jesus. The man’s short but powerful answer is one of the most eloquent testimonies in Scripture and my watchword for today:

Whether He is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind, but now I see! (John 9:25).

The man’s response got him kicked out of the synagogue. But his time of testing became his “testimony.” Courage compelled him to take a stand for Jesus.

Maybe you’re like this man. You may not know everything there is to know about Jesus.  You may not even know how to answer your critics.  But if you have experienced the saving, healing mercy of Jesus, you know the One you have encountered. You know that you were “blind” but now you “see.”  And you know His Word is true.  Perhaps your time of testing can also become your testimony.

Dare to pray now and ask God if there is someone in your life who needs to hear your story? Don’t forget to be alert and ready to speak the truth when your opportunity knocks!

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September 14, 2017

Her Children Rise Up

By marilynnchadwick

A woman of valor, who can find?…Her children rise up and call her blessed (Proverbs 31:10, 28 JPS).

The Proverbs 31 “woman of valor” must have been something of a warrior. After all, the Hebrew term chayil, translated “valor,” is a military term. When I asked my husband how he saw me as a fighter he didn’t hesitate.  “You have fought hard for our children’s dreams,” he said.

It’s true. I’ve fought harder to help our kids reach their dreams than I ever fought for my own. Not that I didn’t love setting goals and working hard to reach my dreams. I still do. But this quote says it best: “Reaching your own dreams is fulfilling—helping someone else reach their dreams is sublime.” And when that “someone else” happens to be your own children, it’s joy on steroids.

I wonder if the Proverbs 31 woman (Proverbs 31:10-31 JPS) discovered this same joy in seeing her children reach their dreams? We’re told, “Her children rise up and call her blessed” (Proverbs 31:28 ESV). The Hebrew word translated “rise up” is very strong. It means, “to accomplish, to endure, to build or establish, to strengthen, to succeed.”

I’d like to think her children were now grown, happy, and fulfilled. They had reached their dreams, in part, because of their mother’s impact. She had taught them. Nurtured, clothed, and cared for them. Modeled a life of giving to the poor. She displayed joy, faithfulness, and laughter. Perhaps they saw their mom in prayer, seeking the Lord and fighting for their dreams.

Nothing makes me happier than when my children “rise up” and succeed.  If the Proverbs 31 woman of valor poured life into her children, then I can imagine her exhilaration as she watched them flourish.

To love our own children, and other children who are like our own, calls for self-sacrifice. But we may just discover that loving others more than we love ourselves can be oddly liberating.  Makes us less self-centered. Sometimes, that’s the best kind of freedom of all.

Adapted from: Marilynn Chadwick, Woman of Valor: Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017).

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September 4, 2017

Mighty Man of Valor

By marilynnchadwick

Valor comes in all kinds of packages. Perhaps you or someone you love is in the military—bravely guarding our freedom. Or maybe you’re a first responder. Or a caregiver holding the hands of the dying. You might be quietly and faithfully caring for your children—raising up the next generation. Or nursing your spouse through a long illness. People show courage in different ways.

Perhaps you don’t feel strong enough or brave enough to do what’s required of you. If so, you’re in good company. Some of God’s most courageous men and women started their journey in weakness. But God’s power transformed them into mighty men and women of valor.

Take Gideon. He was the youngest son in a family and tribe that were the weakest in Israel. The people had fallen into great evil, so the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. “But Israel grew weak and cried out to the Lord” (Judges 6:11 CEB).

So the Lord sent His angel to Gideon with a message: “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:12). To which Gideon said something like, “Who me? I’m just a frightened nobody.” “Mighty man of valor” was a term that described warriors. Heroes. Champions.  Not a scared young man from the weakest tribe in a beaten down nation. The word translated “valor” is chayil, the very same word that describes the “woman of valor” in Proverbs 31.

God must have seen something special in Gideon and said to him: “You have strength, so go and rescue Israel from the power of Midian. Am I not personally sending you?” The Lord promised, “Because I’m with you, you’ll defeat the Midianites as if they were just one person” (Judges 6:14-16 CEB).  And that’s just what happened. It took some persuading, but Gideon took courageous action to save his nation. He became a new man in the process. A man sold out to God. A mighty man of valor.

Friend, God sees within you the strength and courage He put there—even if you’re anxious and full of fear. Even if your family is a mess. He loves us when we’re weak; but He delights in making us strong. Men and women of valor.

We may feel exhausted, rejected, ignored, or afraid.  If so, His words to us are His words to Gideon: “Because I am with you, you will defeat your enemies. Enemies like job loss, depression, anxiety, marriage problems, a rebellious child, the inability to have a child, or loneliness. Maybe you struggle with fear like Gideon did.

God is whispering to you right at this moment: “The Lord is with you mighty warrior, man or woman of valor. And because I am with you, you will have strength to prevail!”

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