September 26
Bible Reading: Acts 18:22-23
Acts 18:23, “After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.”
Widely regarded as the world’s strongest man, Icelander Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson once lifted over 1000 lbs. in the deadlift. How did he gain such strength? As a teen, Hafþór gained strength through daily exercise, combining basic movements (push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups) with working at his grandfather’s farm during summers and lifting natural stones in the wilderness. He gained strength through personal discipline in the exertion of an exercise regimen.
In the spiritual realm, none of us is strong by nature, though God wills us to be. The command to “be strong” can only be realized “in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10), and His Word plays a major role in that. God has prescribed a “body building” plan for the church. He has provided gifted men to the church “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13), that we might all grow up into Christlike maturity (Ephesians 4:14). Apart from such growth, we are doomed to remain spiritual weaklings, “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:14). Who wants to be bullied about like that? The only remedy is to commit oneself to God’s plan in enjoining oneself to the church in its body building efforts.
The Apostle Paul went from church to church, “strengthening all the disciples” (Acts 18:23). The idea behind the term used for “strengthening” is to stabilize something by providing a support, so that it will not totter. Paul didn’t want those churches or individuals to fail. Spiritually speaking, he wanted them to be so firmly established in the Lord that they could withstand any of the inward or external assaults they would undoubtedly encounter. He strengthened them by way of teaching them the truth. And it’s no different for any of us. It is by the truth of God’s word that we are made strong. And just as with Hafþór, that involves personal discipline in engaging in fellowship and maintaining a steady healthy diet with regards to the Word.
“So the first reason for studying Scripture is that it is a means of spiritual growth. There is none apart from the Word.” – Howard Hendricks
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake!
LookingtoJesus 