I sat in the driver’s seat taking my oldest son and two his friends to the mall.  They were about 7th or 8th grade.  I think they were on a shoe shopping expedition so the  topic revolved around foot wear.  I listened throughly amazed that three boys who were the sports leaders in their school could so throughly discuss shoes and who was wearing which brand as well as who’s shoes were falling apart.  Then the topic took a sharp turn.  One of the boys asked Ryan if his older sisters hair was naturally blonde.  Once again my mind was baffled at the topic chosen by the three boys.  Rande was three years older than Ryan and I could see her being viewed as the beautiful older sister of their friend, but did it really matter if her hair was naturally blonde?  Apparently I am just a girl and don’t understand such things.

But, I do understand the importance of being an authentic Christian vs being a Christian who proverbially dyes their hair blonde to look like a Christian.  I think many Christians don’t really believe the following text,  “God, who faithfully keeps His promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, He will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13)  So many Christians don’t give sinning a second thought, after all everyone else is doing it.  They think that surely 1 Corinthians 10:13 can’t be true because the temptation is too strong for them to overcome. 

But lets take a look at another text; “The LORD’s eyes scan the whole world to find those whose hearts are committed to Him and to strengthen them.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)  This text essentially tells us that God is looking for us, searching earnestly to find those that are committed to Him.  Just try to take that much in first–God is constantly and passionately searching for people who will commit to Him.  Is that you?  Is it me? 

But the verse doesn’t stop there, God has a purpose that is a promise to us; He will strengthen us.  Strengthen us for what?  For whatever battle you might be fighting today.  Is it a battle over temptation?  A battle to surrender?  A fight to swallow pride or a desperate struggle just to hang on and hang in there emotionally, spiritually, financially or all of the above?  Whatever the battle, God promises to put His strength in us.  Battles aren’t nearly so overwhelming when your assured of victory, and that’s what we have when we claim both of today’s promises.  No battle with temptation will ever come to you or me that God hasn’t already provided us with a victory over, and whatever our greatest struggles in life happen to be, He promises His strength that will always prevail. 

So, if you really believe God means what He says…arise, go forth today, and conquer in the power and presence of God.