All Things Through Christ. Philippians 4:13. VerseVisions Art, originally uploaded by MarkLawrenceGallery.com.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Have you ever considered that Jesus puts us into situations where we have no control so that we can be transformed and set free?
Maybe God puts us into places of captivity where we can be trimmed and sharpened by his hand. Isn’t that really the life story of captivity that we all live? We may not all face the same problems and pain in our lives, but didn’t Jesus say that He came to set the captives free? Luke 4:18. We are the captives that Jesus is speaking to even today.
In this life we have amazing freedom to make so many choices. Yet in our frantic search for purpose and meaning it is sad how often we make the wrong choices. Permanent joy and fulfillment are rarely found as a result of our own decisions and pursuits.
I‘ve learned that I experience real joy and success after I completely surrender my ideas and will to Him. Only then can I remove my own “stinkin-thinkin” from the equation and receive the fullness of who He is and what He offers. Then Jesus gives me everything that I needed and so much more.
What’s even more valuable in the process is to realize that the God of the universe- waits. The One who created me to live with purpose and meaning in my life waits until I seek Him. He waits for us to come to the end of our own plans. He waits until we realize that we are not in control. He waits until we come to the place of saying, “God I am helpless and lost without you leading me every step of the way in this life”.
I remember clearly the day that I reached this point in my life. I had run things my way for thirty years and the result was a catastrophic personal bankruptcy. Sadly, it was perhaps easier for me to give everything to God at this point because all I had left was my faithful wife and our newborn child.
Maybe you are in a similar place of helpless captivity today in your life. No matter what you do, you can’t make things move forward or get better. Maybe you are at the point where you realize that only God can set you free and heal your brokeness.
If it is, here’s the great news. He’s been eagerly waiting for you! It is never too late to come to Him. You can never go too far away to be out of the reach of the loving and patient arm of God. You can’t out-sin God’s love for you. The Bible says there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:39.
So what’s the next step? If your life is empty, if you are a sinner and you know in your heart that you need forgiveness and the love of a savior; He is here for you right now. This isn’t about religion or rules and regulations, it’s about a relationship with the Heavenly Father who created you. He loves you and desires for you to walk with him day-by-day as he satifies and restores your soul.
Will you surrender your life to Him? That means to take hold of Jesus. Lay down your will, your pursuits, and your way. Stop what you are doing and pray-
Lord I am tired of running my own life; I am tired of the pain, sorrow, and helplessness I feel. I am a sinner and I need forgiveness and a new direction for my life. I repent of my sins and I ask you to clean me and make me a new person.
Please accept my plea for forgiveness. I am hopeless without you. Please Jesus be the savior of my soul. I believe that you died to save the world. I’m asking you today to save me.
I am a sinner, please forgive me. You know exactly the things that I’ve done in my life to hurt others, you know the deliberate choices that I’ve made to do the wrong thing. I choose right now to exchange my way, for your way. I am giving you all of my life, all that I have. Be the Lord of my life and the Savior of my soul.
Please open my eyes to the things that you want me to see, open my ears to the things that you want me to hear. Give me a heart willing to make changes in my life to obey you in all things. I need the power that only you offer to become a different person.
Fill me now Lord with your Holy Spirit. I receive all of these things now Lord and I give all that I have to you. I ask all of this in Jesus’ powerful name. Amen.
All Things Through Christ. Philippians 4:13, VerseVisions IX Collection. Mixed media on canvas. Copyright © 2009 by Mark Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.
VerseVisions® contemporary fine art with value, purpose – and a message!
In Isaiah 55:11, God says that wherever He sends His word it never returns empty, but always achieves the special purpose for which it was sent.
Prayerfully consider the verse that inspired this painting and know that your Heavenly Father has reached out to touch you this very moment.
Do you have questions about Jesus? He promises if you diligently Seek Him that He will be found.

