Christ gives me strength
When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:14 (GNT)
I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. Christ gives me the strength to face anything. ~ Philippians 4:12-13 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
Christ gives us the strength to deal with both the good and the bad.
PRAYER:
Lord, I am grateful for the way that Christ strengthens me to deal with all that life throws my way. Sometimes I panic when the tough times come. I do that because I have temporarily taken my eyes off Jesus and my strength starts to fade. Please keep me mindful of your presence and the strength you provide. I'm going to be relaxed -- no matter what happens. For my contentment comes through the strength Christ shares with me. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
