HAPPY NEW MONTH! READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL. THE STRENGTHENER IN YOU - PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME TUESDAY, MARCH 1ST, 2016

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

As a child of God, you're never without strength, because there's a strengthener in you—the Holy Spirit. He ministers to you as your Strengthener. He strengthens you so that while He's taking His own steps to ensure that everything works out right for you, you're also participating actively in the process, because He has to function through you.

If you have the Holy Spirit in your life, weakness is no longer an option. Paul said in our opening verse, "...when I am weak, then am I strong." In other words, when he was bruised and battered, broken down by external forces, he was made even stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit; he was empowered with might from within. No wonder the Bible declares that we have this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Have you ever felt so weak and without strength that it seemed everything was going dark? Some people sometimes pass out because they have high blood pressure. They blackout all of a sudden! Some others have a demonic experience, which causes them to pass out; suddenly their eyes shut, and they can't tell what followed afterwards.

Understand this: such things aren't supposed to happen to you; and if they've been happening to you, you can stop them by applying the power of the Holy Spirit. In Luke 22:43, we read about an Angel from heaven strengthening Jesus in ministering to Him. The Holy Spirit does the same for us today; He strengthens us. Read Apostle Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:16: "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." The Spirit strengthens you with might in your inner man. Recognize and take advantage of His strength from within. Be conscious of, and walk in, His ability that's in your spirit.

CONFESSION:
God is my refuge and strength! He's my ever-present help in trouble, for He's become my salvation. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, because my heart trusts in Him. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak; therefore, I'm strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Glory to His Name forever.

FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 3:14-16(KJV) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus.15. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Ephesians 6:10(KJV)
finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Colossians 1:9-11(KJV)For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 9:14-32; Numbers 7-8

2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Acts 23:1-10; Psalm 50-51