Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.
Interpretation
Relying on your own strength can lead to frustration, but divine guidance brings ease and productivity.
This quote by Corrie Ten Boom emphasizes the importance of spiritual empowerment in carrying out one's work, particularly in a ministry context. It suggests that when individuals attempt to accomplish their tasks solely through their own efforts, they may experience confusion and exhaustion. In contrast, when they rely on the Holy Spirit, they find that their work aligns naturally with the mission of Jesus, making it more fulfilling and impactful.
In practice
In a sermon about reliance on God, this quote can illustrate the importance of spiritual support.
We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God’s work on behalf of the people for whom we pray.
And our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things too. Don't run out ahead of Him.
If you want to hear God's voice clearly and you are uncertain, then remain in His presence until He changes this uncertainty. Often much can happen during this waiting for the Lord. Sometimes, He changes pride into humility; doubt into faith and peace; sometimes lust into purity. The Lord can and will do it.
And for all these people alike, the key to healing turned out to be the same. Each had a hurt he had to forgive.
Today I know that such memories are the key not to the past, but to the future. I know that the experiences of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do.
God never measures the mind... He always put His tape measure in the HEART
We cannot always trace God's hand but we can always trust God's heart.
The Bible tells us that God will meet all our needs. He feeds the birds of the air and clothes the grass with the splendor of lilies. How much more, then, will He care for us, who are made in His image? Our only concern is to obey the heavenly Father and leave the consequences to Him.
God does not require that we be successful only that we be faithful.
The bottom line is pray. If you’re tired, sick, emotionally overwhelmed—pray. If you’re on cloud nine and life seems perfect—pray. If you lack direction—pray. If you doubt that prayer makes any difference—pray. If the circumstances of your life are out of your control—pray. If the circumstances of your life seem well within you’re your control—pray even harder. Whatever you do—pray.
A true faith in Jesus Christ will not suffer us to be idle. No, it is an active, lively, restless principle; it fills the heart, so that it cannot be easy till it is doing something for Jesus Christ.
The greatest act of faith is that which rises to your lips in total darkness together with the sacrifices, sufferings and wholehearted efforts of a determined will to do good. This act of faith strikes through the darkness of your soul like lightening. In the midst of tempest it raises you up and leads you to God.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.