Josephine Mary Schmidt

A Place of Refuge for the Soul

Christ

Not by Strength or Power – but in Christ’s Humility and Victory

Framed Philippians 4 verse 13 to show I value this verse
I have Philippians 4:13 displayed in my home to remind me of my friendship with Jesus Christ.

Before Jesus died on the cross, He told Peter that he would deny Him three times. (Luke 22:33-34.) Peter showed courage. He was determined to follow Jesus and had told Him, “I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” But we, on our own, can’t overcome the darkness, persecution, hate, anger, resentment. These come from the powers of the wicked one—Satan’s Kingdom and his ruling spirits of the air. Jesus defeated them on the cross, made a public spectacle of them, the Bible says in Colossians 2:15.

It is through our faith and trust in Jesus that we can overcome. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

1 Peter 5:6-9

There are many that yell and scream, demand that the powers of darkness retreat. But it is in the humility of Christ, our knowledge of Him, our love and adoration, our friendship, and, as the armor of God begins – first, “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).

Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

Zechariah 4:6

We will cast our crowns before Jesus in heaven because we know this is true and that the overcoming power not to deny Him in this world came from His Spirit of courage, love, and sound mind.

I absolutely love all of this because my physical strength is becoming smaller as I age. But in Christ, I am as strong as an ox! I am an overcomer. “All who call on the Lord will be saved!” (Romans 10:13).

In our strength, we can’t do the will of God. Peter denied Jesus three times before He died. Peter was yet to receive the Holy Spirit and the victory. But today, in Christ, we can do all things.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” 

Philippians 4:13

How about you today? What is Jesus asking of you, that you know you don’t have the courage, the longevity, or strength within you to do. Ask Jesus, and accept His strong hand and friendship today, and walk in the power of what He’s done for us! Amen!

The Pottery Mobile Left on a Shelf

Pottery Mobile with words of God's attributes

This pottery mobile that I made, was sitting on a shelf in my pottery shed for ages. It was something, I believed, the Lord Jesus had given me the vision to make and the words to use: – “God extends these – friendship, mercy, strength, love, forgiveness, courage, blessings, truth, grace, empowerment.”

But one day, I knocked it off, and some of the pieces broke. I was so disappointed. I had meant to put it together, but other things took my time. Now it was broken.

Broken pieces of pottery mobile

I remade the pieces that broke, and in doing so, realized that I hadn’t made it correctly. For some of the parts, I needed to put a second hole. But it still, after I had finished, sat in my pottery shed. I never finished it, never strung it together until I read – Luke 19:25, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” 

These words are from a parable Jesus is teaching His disciples. Before my pottery mobile had popped back into my mind, I recalled these lyrics, “It won’t be long, my child…. and you’ll see my eyes of love” – “Rise with Me,” album, A Soul’s Worth. 

Jesus doesn’t want me missing out on any of His blessings. The parable in Luke 19 tells how a king rewards his servant and says to him, “Well done, my good servant!” his master replied. “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.”

The day I read these words, I strung my pottery mobile together and hung it outside, in my courtyard. One of the reasons I hadn’t done it before was that I had given myself an elaborate plan to finish it. I wanted to put it out the front of the house as an evangelism thing so others might see it and know the love of God. But I needed to erect a lattice structure to hang my mobile. And I wanted to get some wire to string it together that couldn’t be cut to stop someone from stealing it. These weren’t the plans God had put in my heart, and they added to not getting the job done.

Maybe this mobile is to strengthen my faith in Christ by remembering these incredible attributes that God desires to extend to me? But this lesson has taught me a whole lot more. And it comes at a time when Jesus is asking me to complete a whole lot of things.

I’m glad my pottery mobile is finished and hanging outside my door. But when I put it together, initially, I wasn’t satisfied. I had hoped it would look better. Then I remembered the promise in God’s word that the eyes are never satisfied. I am creative. And so often, my vision doesn’t come out to the glory I hoped. But I know, in faithfulness and truth, God will do infinitely more than I can ever think or imagine with the things I faithfully do for Him. 

God isn’t condemning; He’s encouraging. Now I can look at these words on my mobile every day and be encouraged. 

God extends these – friendship, mercy, strength, love, forgiveness, courage, blessings, truth, grace, empowerment.

I hope this is an encouragement to you today. God bless you!

“Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes: – Proverbs 27:10.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” – Ephesians 3:20.

Rise With Me – Album, A Soul’s Worth
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