Instructions for Moms - Part 2

Last week we talked about humbling ourselves and recognizing that we can't be good mothers on our own. This week we will continue with Part 2 of the series.

-Part 2-

But, you can through Christ because He is sufficient

What does sufficient mean? The dictionary definition is: enough, as much as is needed.

Colossians 1:15-20 to me gives the best description of Christ’s power. Listen for all of the powerful descriptions of Christ.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Does that sound sufficient? Do you think he might have the strength we need to get through the day? Do you think we could trust Him?

Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Or 2 Corinthians 12:9- My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

His grace is sufficient for me. His grace is enough. His grace is as much as I need. His power (which is more than enough) is made perfect in weakness—does that sound like humility—admitting your weakness?

Colossians 1:11 - May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance, and patience with joy.
That's a lot of power! The God who created the universe and was able to conquer death is offering to strengthen us. In Paul's prayer to the Ephesians he says, "that you may know...what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18-19)

So when we do humble ourselves to God and ask for His strength the end of Colossians 1:11 says that we will have endurance and patience with joy...not just patience, but patience with joy! That's not going to happen when I rely on my own works or strength to do what the Lord has called me to do in mothering my kids. They are lucky to get patience out of me, but patience with joy?! That can only come from God!

2 Corinthians 3:4-5 - Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent...
Here Paul is telling the Corinthians that through Christ, God has made them competent to be a minister of the gospel-a hard job to say the least! So is mothering. He didn't put his confidence in himself. We can't rely on ourselves to be a good mother. He doesn't do his job in his own strength. I know I can't do this job in my own strength. I've tried...It's not good! He knows he is not sufficient for the job. We are not sufficient for this job. His confidence is in Christ's sufficiency. Our confidence needs to be in Christ's sufficiency.

Christ is the answer.

Next week....So seek Him with all of your heart!