Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Ever since I had my stroke I cannot see well enough to tie a leader to a fly. That makes fly fishing rather difficult. I have to allow my son to tie my fly and then I can cast into the waters to enjoy fishing. I have limits, there are some things I just cannot do for myself.

When you read the opening verse, where is your focus, attention, or even intension? If I can do all things, what are my limits? Am I limited? It does say I can do all. Are there things you have tried and like me with the fishing leader become frustrated with our inabilities? If you are like me, the answer would be yes.

Where in this verse are our constraints, our limits? If you look closely to the term “through Christ” you will discover exactly what those limits are for us all. Jesus Christ is God in the first person. He is God and God is unchanging. You will never find Jesus acting like someone else. He never does anything out of character of who He is as God. We so often want to do things sincerely, even righteously, even lovingly, but are frustrated by perceived failure.

I have heard “God has put it on my heart” so many times I have begun to ignore the words. Sincerity, righteousness and love are important conditions of our heart walk with God, but do not speak to God’s will. His will is done not out of our heart condition or obedience of faith. Those things only open the door for Jesus, whether He steps through and does God’s will isn’t under our control.

Being frustrated with my limits doesn’t get the leader tied. I humble myself and ask my son to do this thing for me.

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

We have all seen the courtroom drama. The lawyer stands with his clients and reminds them, “It isn’t what they know; it is what they can prove.” The zealous advocate has the responsibility to get the client off regardless of the truth. The advocate will use every trick in the book to get the client acquitted or at least to suffer the least of all possible penalties.

In the world people do not want to be judged at all. The issue of due process has rules and regulations. It works in favor of the defendant. The prosecution has to give the defendant evidence of all they have to convict. The defendant has the right to withhold the truth. He has the right not to incriminate himself.

Perhaps this is why some would rather deny there is an all knowing God. Does their denial change who the judge will be on judgment day? When you get hauled into a foreign court you are denied American due process. You are stuck with the judge of that country and his justice.

Psalms 39:12 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

Given that you will be denied due process before the Lord you better have an advocate with the right plan for acquittal.

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

For the prosecution, Satan is your accuser.