From time to time I have to admit to myself, “I am beyond my capacity.” I am beyond my financial capacity to spend any more money. I am beyond my relational capacity to add any more acquaintances. I am beyond my emotional capacity to care for more children. I am beyond my work capacity to add any more projects or people. I am beyond my spiritual capacity to engage in more volunteer activities. My capacity is limited, but my Lord’s capacity is limitless.
Paul seemed to have boundless capacity for God’s work, but his secret was allowing Christ to strengthen him and be his strength. Because he was a man of prayer, he could discern all things the Lord called him to do. He did not do all things, he only did things his Lord told him to do. Thus, for Paul, adversity became an opportunity to advance the gospel. When chained to a prison guard, he started a prison ministry. Expanded capacity comes to a life empowered by Christ and His Spirit.
Are you overwhelmed by over capacity? Do you say “yes” to too many things? A good first step is to ask an objective friend to help you evaluate your activities. Since everything is for a season, it may be time to let go of something or someone. Perhaps you rotate off a board, hand off a work project to someone with a different skill set, postpone a trip or wait on starting a part-time job. Everyone suffers when you live beyond your capacity. Flight attendants are right, “Place the oxygen on yourself first, then take care of those around you.” Serve within your capacity.
Most of all, lean into the Lord for His strength and wisdom. The Holy Spirit can expand the spiritual stamina of your soul. He protects us from ourselves and He frees us to be ourselves. Your quieted soul is able to see God’s best and not get caught up in committing to an unfiltered “yes”. Better to speak a remorseless “no” now, than an impulsive “yes” you later regret. Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s best “yes” and gives us Christ’s confidence to say “no”. Thankfully our limitations are the Lord’s opportunities to accomplish more than we can. Grace grows capacity.
Our prayer: Father God we like Paul submit ourselves to your direction. Help us to say yes to those things which are aligned with you will for us, and be bold to say no for those things which are outside of the calling and purpose you have placed on our lives in Jesus name we pray amen.
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Paul seemed to have boundless capacity for God’s work, but his secret was allowing Christ to strengthen him and be his strength. Because he was a man of prayer, he could discern all things the Lord called him to do. He did not do all things, he only did things his Lord told him to do. Thus, for Paul, adversity became an opportunity to advance the gospel. When chained to a prison guard, he started a prison ministry. Expanded capacity comes to a life empowered by Christ and His Spirit.
Are you overwhelmed by over capacity? Do you say “yes” to too many things? A good first step is to ask an objective friend to help you evaluate your activities. Since everything is for a season, it may be time to let go of something or someone. Perhaps you rotate off a board, hand off a work project to someone with a different skill set, postpone a trip or wait on starting a part-time job. Everyone suffers when you live beyond your capacity. Flight attendants are right, “Place the oxygen on yourself first, then take care of those around you.” Serve within your capacity.
Most of all, lean into the Lord for His strength and wisdom. The Holy Spirit can expand the spiritual stamina of your soul. He protects us from ourselves and He frees us to be ourselves. Your quieted soul is able to see God’s best and not get caught up in committing to an unfiltered “yes”. Better to speak a remorseless “no” now, than an impulsive “yes” you later regret. Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s best “yes” and gives us Christ’s confidence to say “no”. Thankfully our limitations are the Lord’s opportunities to accomplish more than we can. Grace grows capacity.
Our prayer: Father God we like Paul submit ourselves to your direction. Help us to say yes to those things which are aligned with you will for us, and be bold to say no for those things which are outside of the calling and purpose you have placed on our lives in Jesus name we pray amen.
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Pastor Todd A. Brown
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd. Mclean Va. 22101
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd. Mclean Va. 22101
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"
Mission: Exalting, Evangelizing, Equipping, and Encouraging every soul in Christ
Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown
Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.fbcc-va.org
www.fbcc-va.org
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