Daily Bible Devotional: Commentary on Philippians 4

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Just a few days ago I lost a very good friend who I would consider to be one of the most loving and courageous of women. Especially when it came to her faith. Her and I had many great conversations over the years and she always made sure that we prayed over our situations and families. In fact, I would consider her a prayer warrior, for both our church and the many many families she touched as a daycare administrator.

Her daughter shared that her last words were, “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. She also told her daughter to say those words over and over. She knew she was leaving this earth, and she wanted to make sure that her daughter knew that she would be OK. So like her, even to be encouraging to others as she prepared to leave this life. I get teary eyed thinking about her, but I know she is resting in the arms of our loving God. No more sorrow, no more pain, no more suffering. She has truly been set free but those of us left behind miss her!

Her last words strengthen me though. They strengthen me to remember that I can’t do it on my own. I may think I can, but I really can’t. I can’t get through life’s difficulties by myself. I can’t stop the pains and the tribulations that have been or will be part of my life. What I can count on though is that God can and will strengthen me for whatever life has to dish out.

I am going to be writing more about my wonderful friend in devotions to come. Her life in fact would fill a book – she had shared many amazing stories of her faith with me that will never leave me. She has left behind young daughters and young grand-daughters that will miss their mama and grandma. There is nothing anyone can really say to someone that loses a loved one except to say “I’m sorry”. We are all very sorry to miss the physical presence of someone we love dearly that we have lost. Christ can and will help us get through these difficult times though. Not only that but He builds character in us through our pain – because as we suffer we become more like Him, understanding maybe just a wee bit of what He suffered for us.

Good-bye my dear friend. I will always love you and remember your faith, your kindness and your encouraging words. Thank you for leaving those words for your daughter to share with us. Thank you for building us up even in your pain. We will miss you greatly.

Something to think about: Do you ever feel that you just can’t take anymore? Maybe it’s time to give it to God, and let him give you the strength you need to get through. He is always there for us, we just need to ask.

Coming soon: My new 365 day devotional

This is just one devotional in a series of 365 devotionals that will one day be a book - both in hard cover and for the Kindle. All the text in this is my own (except of course for the Bible scriptures) I will be using the NIV (New International Version) for most of my reference to scripture. All the photos used will also be my own photography. If you would like to see more of my art and photography you can also visit me at www. dorsidiaz.com where I will also be chronicling this new book, along with my ideas for writing, marketing and creating e-books for aspiring writers. Thank you for reading!