There’s something Jesus said he couldn’t do by himself. So I shouldn’t be surprised when I need help with it, too.
When I Couldn’t Get There From Here
I found myself driving to a new place recently. I had been cautioned ahead of time that GPS didn’t recognize the address. So when my attempt to arrive at the address didn’t work out as I had hoped, I ended up calling for help. Someone who recognized where I was and knew how to get from where I was to where I was going led me the rest of the way in.
Later, as I was reflecting on the event, I realized that it was symbolic of what God has done for me over and over in a larger sense—and I know will do for me again: I find myself in a place in life where I know there is a way to get from where I am to where God says I can or will be. But I can’t make the points connect on my own. I call on him for help. And he meets me where I am, and leads me forward.
I’m grateful for that.
Scriptures to Feed On
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 1:6 (HCSB)
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May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.
– 2 Thessalonians 1:11b (NLT)
(See 2 Thess. 1:11-12.)
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For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
– Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
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Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
– Galatians 5:25 (NLT)
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For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.”
– Hebrews 13:5b-6a (NKJV)
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I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
– Philippians 4:13 (NASB)
Something Jesus Couldn’t Do by Himself
I’d never considered Jesus needing help. But as I read this Scripture, I realized how utterly dependent Jesus said he was on God the Father:
So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.” – John 5:19-20 (NLT)
Jesus actually said he could do nothing by himself. Wow.
Jesus was explaining that his doing things while in a human body—like healing a man, and even greater works—depended on him seeing what the Father was doing.
Jesus watched God the Father. And then Jesus was able to do what he saw.
Paul teaches us (Hebrews 12:2) to look “only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who, for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
God, help me look only at Jesus—and do the good things you planned for me long ago.
This content originally appeared in the July email. You’re invited to subscribe.
All text content copyright © 2024 by AmyLu Riley. Butterfly on flowers photo copyright © 2024 by AmyLu Riley. Country road photo courtesy Douglas Fehr on Unsplash. Scriptures marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright©. 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Lockman.org. Scripture marked NJKV is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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