For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Rom 8:14                                                                                                                                                   

Please allow me to establish a foundation with you.  It is safe to say that none of us knows everything.  It is even safe to say that all of us actually do know something.  The problem we face in our human condition is realizing and admitting that there are some things we don’t know that we don’t know.  Just like you, I fit in here somewhere.  Because this is so, I know well enough that today’s message has the potential to be either dangerous or helpful.  My intention–by all means–is to be helpful.

W. Clement Stone, a great entrepreneur and founder of the Combined Insurance Company (an original door-to-door penny insurance agency), is noted for his famous self-motivating phrase of ten 2-letter words: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”  This motto gives the man in the mirror the glory for any and all accomplishments.

On my office wall is another ten-word declaration.  This one, you see here, comes from the Bible in Philippians 4:13 where it says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Unlike the prior example, this scripture gives Jesus Christ the glory for any and all accomplishments.  Those who are led by this truth constantly come to Him with a heart that says, “Thank you Lord for creating me in Your image and residing within me.  Help me to accomplish what will please You today.”

I have no problem with W. Clement Stone’s words of advice:  “If it is to be, it is up to me.”  There is a great deal of truth and gusto in these words.  However, a greater truth must be considered with regard to Mr. Stone’s blueprint of self-exaltation.  If it really is to be, we must realize that we are co-laboring with Christ, having a definite and confident outlook, knowing that the activities of each day can produce everlasting results when walking in the ten-word declaration of Philippians 4:13.

Now that our foundation has been addressed and shored, may we consider living, moving, and having our being according to these most hopeful and revelatory words:  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.                                                  

1 Tim 1:1; Heb 4:12; Rom 8:9; Eph 2:10