Oakwood Church Fresh Start Women's Devotional Encouragement for Today Hartland Delafield

Yes, We Can
By Elizabeth Cole

“I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 NCV

Today marks an historic milestone in our country’s history. As Barack Obama becomes our 44th president, we see a moment unimagined and, in fact, impossible a little over one hundred years ago. On this day, we can rejoice in seeing another barrier to racism broken, as well as commit to wholehearted prayer for him, his advisors and his decisions.

President Obama used a phrase throughout his campaign that climaxed in his winning speech delivered in Chicago last November. That speech ends with “… while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.”

Yes, we can.

It’s a phrase that can’t help but capture the believer’s imagination. We have the privilege of an “internal resident,” of the Spirit of Christ Himself, who lives within our being, giving us His power—the same power that bodily raised Christ from the dead. Through no strength of our own, and yet completely through the strength God gives us, we are optimistic overcomers.

Can we replace destructive habits that have bound us for years? Yes, we can.

Can we take a risk and try something for the sake of Christ that is well beyond our own capabilities? Yes, we can.

Can we reorder our finances in a way that puts Kingdom-building first? Yes, we can.

Can we become a people known for blessing the poor and needy? Yes, we can.

Can we dream of making a godly difference in our homes, our work, or neighborhoods, our world? Yes, we can. In fact, the God within is He who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. Or as the Amplified Bible expresses it, “He is able to do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desire, thoughts, hopes or dreams… (Ephesians 3:20)”

While we breathe, we hope. And to those who cynically tell us we can’t, we respond, “Yes, we can…because HE can!”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where are you hesitating to obey God’s call in your life? What would it take for you to believe that you “can do all things through Christ” who gives you strength?
2. Spend some time dreaming this morning. What would you love to do for God? Commit to asking Him for His approval, affirmation and empowerment.

FURTHER READING:
I Corinthians 2:9; Ephesians 1:18-20

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.