In The Midst of Adversity

"It was the best of times--it was the worst of times!"  We've all heard that line before, but have we thought much about it?  Paul is saying somewhat the same thing in this chapter.  Paul has experienced, 1st hand, more adversity than most people will ever know.  Yet, in the midst of those personal storms, he found peace within.  Much like in the eye of a tornado... there is a calmness in the heart of this fierce storm.

Paul found strength and all that he needed to get through his adverse storms by drawing from the power that resided within him...the power of the Holy Spirit.

God equips us for every good work He assigns us to....just like our automobiles are equipped and ready to run.  But if we fail to put fuel in the tank--we won't go anywhere!  I don't even like to drive my car with less than half a tank full.  I've never run my car "on fumes," as do some!  But--we often run our lives like that.....we don't FILL UP on His Word often enough....we stall out!

Many drivers don't maintain their vehicles.  Routine maintenance requires frequent oil and lube jobs.  I read this quote the other day--let me share it with you:  "Let the lamp of your profession be filled with the oil of charity."  [Thomas Watson]  The "oil" needed is supplied by the Holy Spirit; the fuel needed is The Word of God to keep us up-and-running.

Go get a FILL-UP and fresh OIL today!