Compromise, God's Will, Weakness, Will

Lamination Strong

No Comments 29 June 2009

Press the arrow to listen to Kari Jobe sing “Cry Out” while reading today’s devotion about a single purpose.

Scripture
Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalm 86:11

Observation
Thin strips of veneer are as flimsy as cardboard. But laminated together they become plywood, strong and stable. My heart is often like cardboard. It knows what it should want to do, but it cannot manage the strength to do it. And yet, when empowered, my human will can be greatly used by the Lord to choose the right and leave undone the wrong.

My only hope is lamination. The very weakness that works against me, when bonded together by the Holy Spirit, can empower me.

The message is not that God must peel and discard layers of our heart that are ineffective. Instead, he takes the very part that won’t cooperate and uses it to do his will.

Application
I had lunch yesterday with a man who has run between 3 to 6 miles a day for 31 years. I eyed his sixty-five-year-old lithe body and wanted to put my dessert back. What would keep a man running every day for 31 years? I can scrape together about 6 weeks of willpower to do anything and then my will becomes as flimsy as wallpaper.

Prayer
Father, I am full of weakness. But the superglue of your power can somehow blend with my ineptness and create resilience. I need give you my flimsy heart and ask you to bring it together to fear you. Let my first question and my only aim be to do the thing that pleases you most. Amen.

Challenge, Weakness

Hugging Your Thorn

No Comments 12 April 2009

Press the arrow to listen to Natalie Grant sing “Hope Endures” while reading a devotion about overcoming weaknesses.

Scripture
That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

Observation
I just got done doing my morning exercises. I’ve developed a plan that works so well for me. It will sound weird, but between every piece of clothing I pick out to wear or iron I do a set of three exercises. Before I take my morning shower, I’ve done 150 push ups, sit ups and pull ups. I’m 48 and fighting middle age. It works for me.

At nearly the half century mark (yikes that is scary) I don’t try to promote my inabilities. I fought wearing glasses since 2002. Reality hit when I couldn’t see people coming down the hall at church. Now with glasses, I’m considering Laskik surgery. :)

Like all in the human condition, I want to appear strong and put make up over my weaknesses. Paul, however, surprised me this morning with his talk of taking pleasure in weakness. That is a new level of maturity I have yet to grow into. But I think I get his perspective. I take pleasure because my emptiness makes room for more of the fullness of Christ.

Application
The older I get the weaker my body becomes. And yet, I can take pleasure in my weaknesses because Christ’s power is at work in me. He did not just raise up from the dead, but he punched through the demonic realm and while the grave is empty, the throne at the Father’s right hand is not. Hallelujah.

Prayer
Father, today I squeeze my weaknesses tightly. Hold onto me. Amen.


I'm Phil McCallum, a husband, father and most of all one of the people Jesus loves. I'm privileged to serve Evergreen Community Church in Bothell, Washington as Senior Pastor where people love enough to believe "it's all about relationships." In 1982 I made a vow to read God's word daily and apply it to life. Each day I write out my reflections. Some days I post those on my blog. It's a little personal but it's my hope it will stir you to go deeper still. Learn how I do my devotions. These are my thoughts and not necessarily those of the ministry I serve. By the way check out the computer study Bible Glo. I highly recommend it.

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