Who Am I? {Strengthened} In Christ {Day 11} #31 Days

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." (1 Peter 5:10)

"The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, 

for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. 

They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13)

They were ordinary men. The original thought was "unlearned, illiterate, one who is unskilled in any art." They had no special training. 

But they just healed a man. They had power to do what was beyond their capabilities.

It was obvious they had nothing special in themselves, but it was more than evident that they had strength that comes when one has been with Jesus.

In Christ, we are strengthened to accomplish more than we could ever dream of. 

Our stories may not be glamorous, we may not have an unending list of degrees or letters after our name, we may not be skilled in any art. 

Still, we are to live our ordinary lives with Jesus.

He will strengthen us. 

His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

His beauty will radiate from us, when we walk with Him, depend on Him, and rely on Him to work in us.

We don't have to worry about being ordinary when, in Christ, He does the extraordinary in us.

We don't have to fear we have nothing to offer, when, in Christ, He gives us everything we need for life and godliness.

We don't have to be ashamed of our art, when He has created in Christ for us to do good works. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

God's grace will grant us the power to do what He has purposed for us. 

Don't despise the desire.

Neglect not what God has given you do to.

Forsake the fear.

Lower yourself that He might lift you up in His strength.

Walk with Him whose power rests on you, and stand amazed at what He will accomplish with you.

Be bold.

Be strong.

For the Lord is with you.

Toss the ordinary to the wind, and rides on the waves of extraordinary.

Not for our boasting, but all to the Praise of His glory.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. 

On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, 
though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me." ( 1 Cor 15:10)

***

This is Day 11 for the series: 31 Days: Who am I? {In Christ} Who is the I AM. 

Day 10 {Saved} ~ Day 12 {Gifted}

You will find the complete series as it updated here. 

I invite you to follow on  Facebook and Twitter.

Enter your email address here  to A Soft Gentle Voice and have this series delivered to your inbox.

***

Also linking with Five Minute Friday at Lisa-Jo's place. This week the prompt is: Ordinary

Officially, the rules are:

1. Write for 5 minutes  {Full disclosure: I spent more time on this post ;)}

2. Link up at Lisa-Jo's  and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...