The full context of Philippians 4 tells us that Christ strengthens us not to accomplish our own goals, but to live out our Christian calling with joy even in the midst of difficult challenges. This is extremely important because the unsaved people in the world will observe how professed Christ followers deal with adversity to discern whether we truly can “do all things through Christ.”

Many people aren’t aware that the often quoted John 3:16 is part of a nighttime conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus – one of the Jewish leaders of that time. During this conversation, Jesus explained the concept of spiritual rebirth through faith in Him.

As Christ followers we must honestly examine our motivations for our service to the Gospel. If we find we are not following the Lord for the right reasons, we must confess this sin before God, and seek His strength and guidance to bring us back into truly godly fellowship.

Living the Christian life often requires us to obey the calling of the LORD, even under difficult circumstances. Although we might believe we are not qualified or able to serve God’s Kingdom in the ways He has led us, we rest assured that God knows what He is doing, and it is He who empowers us by His Spirit to accomplish the works He has ordained for us since before the beginning of creation. Often when we obey God in faith, He will bless us. Sometimes though He does not. But His leading for us is always for our own eternal wellbeing and the benefit of those whom God has called us to serve.

Only Jesus can do the signs and wonders that He has done and still continues to do. But He also uses His children to do our part in accomplishing His works through those things we can do by faith and obedience to His will.

When we faithfully seek God’s will and obey it, we can expect increasing spiritual attack from our great enemy. Therefore, it is essential that we not only seek God’s will and faithfully obey, but also continually keep ourselves focused upon Him and His Word, and take up His full armor daily to protect us from the enemy’s attacks.