2 Corinthians 3:5

Why Self Effort Never Works

01/06/2026

Do you get frustrated when you “blow it” in regard to your Christian walk? I do. Almost every day, I’m mindful of something I should have done or could have done that would have brought honor to Christ. The reminder in 2 Corinthians 3:5 helps me in those times. It says, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.” 

The word “adequacy” in this verse means sufficiency, ability, or competency. Here we find a key to help us accomplish our desire to live “for” Christ. We can’t live “for” Him in our own strength. Rather, we need to let Christ live His life in and through us. His adequacy is the key. 

Our ability to be and our ability to do that to which God calls us comes from Christ in us. 

Instead of trying to live the Christian life in our own strength, we can pray, “Fill me with Your Spirit so I walk by Your adequacy.” That is our hope-filled prayer. 

Thank You, Jesus, that You are in me and more than ADEQUATE for everything pertaining to life and godliness. 

We don’t have to walk our Christian journey alone. Jesus sent us a Helper, the Holy Spirit. To learn more about Christ’s gift, listen to this podcast teaching: Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.

 

 

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I Can’t or I Can

03/14/2022
Person preparing to lift a heavy barbell illustrating how God Who Equips gives strength to do what seems impossible.

“I can’t do it!” Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you feel that way about your job, marriage or even getting to the gym and eating healthy. Maybe you know what you need to do as a parent, but don’t have the energy and stamina, so you say, “I can’t.” Perhaps you feel you “can’t” be the Christian that God desires you to be. If you feel that way, you’re not alone. I wish I had a penny for every time I’ve felt inadequate. But the wonderful thing is, Hebrews 13:20-21 assures us that God is able. “Now the God of peace, … equip you in every good thing to do His will…”  We can say along with Paul, “not that I am adequate in myself, but my adequacy comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5

Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping us to do that to which You call us. Increase our mindful dependence on You so we walk by Your Spirit. We love and praise You. 

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Why FOR Never Works

01/06/2022

Do you get frustrated when you “blow it” in regard to your Christian walk? I do. Almost every day, I’m mindful of something I should have done or could have done that would have brought honor to Christ. The reminder in  2 Corinthians 3:5  helps me in those times. It says, “

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.

The word “adequacy” in this verse means sufficiency, ability, or competency. Here we find a key to our desire to live “for” Christ. We can’t live “for” Him in our own strength. Rather, we need to let Christ live His life IN and through us. His adequacy is the key. Our ability to be and our ability to do that to which God calls us comes from God in us. Instead of trying to live the Christian life in our own strength, we can pray, ”Fill me with YOUR Spirit so I walk by Your adequacy.” That is our hope-filled prayer.

Thank You, LORD, that Christ is in us and He is adequate. 

*This is one of God’s 365 attributes for which we can praise and trust Him. Second Corinthians 3:5 is a good verse to memorize. If you have Prayers of My Heart, record it in the “Meditations, Notes, and Prayers” section. Then record your prayer for Christ to fill you with His Spirit. 

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I Can’t or I Can

03/13/2021
Person preparing to lift a heavy barbell illustrating how God Who Equips gives strength to do what seems impossible.

“I can’t do it!” Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you feel that way about your job, marriage or even getting to the gym and eating healthy. Maybe you know what you need to do as a parent, but don’t have the energy and stamina, so you say, “I can’t.” Perhaps you feel you “can’t” be the Christian that God desires you to be. If you feel that way, you’re not alone. I wish I had a penny for every time I’ve felt inadequate. But the wonderful thing is, Hebrews 13:20-21 assures us that God is able. “Now the God of peace, … equip you in every good thing to do His will…”  We can say along with Paul, “not that I am adequate in myself, but my adequacy comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5

Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping us to do that to which You call us. Increase our mindful dependence on You so we walk by Your Spirit. We love and praise You. 

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Why FOR Never Works

01/12/2021

Do you get frustrated when you “blow it” in regard to your Christian walk? I certainly do. Almost every day, I’m mindful of something I should have done, could have done that would have brought honor to Christ. The reminder in  2 Corinthians 3:5  helps me in those times of frustration. It says, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.’”  The word “adequacy” in this verse means sufficiency, ability, or competency. Here we find a key to our desire to live “for” Christ. We can’t live “for” Him in our own strength. Rather, we need to let Christ live His life IN and through us. His adequacy is the key. Our ability to be and do that to which God calls us is from God. We can pray, ”Fill me with YOUR Spirit so I walk by Your ADEQUACY.” That is our hope-filled prayer.

Thank You, LORD, that Christ Jesus is in us and He is our adequacy. 

*This is one of God’s 365 attributes for which we can look up, praise, and trust Him. To learn about His other attributes and ways you can know God and praise Him, join us HERE.

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I Can’t or I Can

03/10/2020
Person preparing to lift a heavy barbell illustrating how God Who Equips gives strength to do what seems impossible.

“I can’t do it!” Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you feel that way about your job, marriage or even getting to the gym and eating healthy. Maybe you know what you need to do as a parent, but don’t have the energy and stamina, so you say, “I can’t.” Perhaps you feel you “can’t” be the Christian that God desires you to be. If you feel that way, you’re not alone. I wish I had a penny for every time I’ve felt inadequate. But the wonderful thing is, Hebrews 13:20-21 assures us that God is able. “Now the God of peace, … equip you in every good thing to do His will…”  We can say along with Paul, “not that I am adequate in myself, but my adequacy comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5

Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping us to do everything to which You call us. Help us mindfully depend on You and walk by Your guiding Spirit. We love and praise You. 

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Why FOR Never Works

01/13/2020

Do you get frustrated when you “blow it” in regard to your Christian walk? I certainly do. Almost every day, I’m mindful of something I should have done, could have done that would have brought honor to Christ. The reminder in  2 Corinthians 3:5  helps me in those times of frustration. It says, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.’”  The word “adequacy” in this verse means sufficiency, ability, or competency. Here we find a key to our desire to live “for” Christ. We can’t live “for” Him in our own strength. Rather, we need to let Christ live His life IN and through us. His adequacy is the key. Our ability to be and do that to which God calls us is from God. We can pray, ”Fill me with YOUR Spirit so I walk by Your ADEQUACY.” That is our hope-filled prayer.

Thank You, LORD, for the adequacy You give us in Christ Jesus. 

*This is one of God’s 365 attributes for which we can look up, praise, and trust Him. To learn about His other attributes and ways you can know God and praise Him, join us HERE.

#biblegatewaybloggergridmember

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I Can’t or I Can

03/23/2019
Person preparing to lift a heavy barbell illustrating how God Who Equips gives strength to do what seems impossible.

“I can’t do it!” Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you feel that way about your job or ministry. Maybe you know what you need to do as a parent, but don’t have the energy and stamina, so you say, “I can’t.” Perhaps you feel you  “can’t” be the Christian that God desires you to be. If you feel that way, you’re not alone. I wish I had a penny for every time I’ve felt inadequate for a task. But, the wonderful thing is, Hebrews 13:20-21 assures us that God is able.  “Now the God of peace, … equip you in every good thing to do His will…”  We can say along with Paul, “not that I am adequate in myself, but my adequacy comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5

Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping us do every good thing to which You call us through Christ in us. We love and praise You. 

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Why FOR Never Works

01/13/2019

LISTEN

Do you get frustrated when you “blow it” in regard to your Christian walk? I certainly do. Almost every day, I’m mindful of something I should have done, could have done that would have brought honor to Christ. The reminder in  Second Corinthians 3:5  helps me in those times of frustration. It says, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.’”  The word “adequacy” in this verse means sufficiency, ability, or competency. Here we find a key to our desire to live “for” Christ. We can’t live “for” Him in our own strength. Rather, we need to let Christ live His life IN and through us. His adequacy is the key. Our ability to be and do that to which God calls us, is from God. We can pray, ”Fill me with YOUR Spirit so I walk by Your ADEQUACY.” That is our hope filled prayer.

Thank You, LORD, for the adequacy You give us in Christ Jesus. 

*This is one of God’s 365 attributes for which we can look up, praise, and trust Him. To learn about His other attributes and ways you can know God and praise Him, join us HERE.

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Praise God, who is ADEQUATE

01/06/2018

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,’”

2 Corinithians 3:5

The Greek word “adequacy” means sufficient, ability or competency to do a thing. The unmistakable fact is: we’re not adequate to live out our faith as the “fragrance of Christ.” (2 Cor 2:15-16) But, and this is huge – our ability to be and do that to which God calls us, IS FROM GOD. Therefore, we can praise Him and ask, “Fill me with YOUR Spirit so I walk in Your ADEQUACY.”

We praise You, LORD, that although we aren’t adequate, YOU are!

*This is one of God’s 365 attributes for which we can look up, praise, and trust Him. To learn about His other attributes and ways you can know God and praise Him, join us HERE.

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