TODAY’S THE CROSS DEVOTIONAL MORE THAN I CAN HANDLE “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10:13 “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 The Lord has given me far more than I could possibly handle. If I told you the intricate details of my everyday life of being on the road for Jesus full-time with my beloved handicapped streets ministry doggies doing streets ministry and writing and publishing Gospel tracts, devotionals, and books with no staff, no salary, and a bare-bones ministry budget, I am quite sure you would say what the Lord has given me is simply impossible. Truth is that it is. One of the most dangerous falsities concerning the Bible people often perpetuate is that the Lord doesn’t give us more than we can handle. This is simply not true! From start to finish of the Bible, He gives people more than they can handle. Same with my life. Same with countless other people’s lives throughout time all around the world. In the first verse above, per Thayer’s Greek Lexicon online, the word translated into “temptation” includes in its definition, ” the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy, etc.” The Lord most assuredly gives us trials and responsibilities greater than we can bear and allows temptations too much for us to handle. BUT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL GIVE US EVERY OUNCE OF HIS PRESENCE, LOVE, STRENGTH, GRACE, MERCY, PEACE, JOY, HOPE, WISDOM, COMPASSION, COMFORT, DIRECTION TO GET THROUGH WHEN OUR HEARTS AND LIVES ARE SURRENDERED TO HIM! Let us cast our cares on Him, let us put our trust in Him, let us cry out to Him with our needs, and let us persevere as He leads and carries us on! We can’t do the impossible in our own strength, but in, through, and for Christ we can! |