Key scripture – “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this; that he understands and knows me, that I am The LORD, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares The LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

In this Key scripture, the prophet Jeremiah tells us about the nature of God and His desire for every believer.

This is what The Lord says,
“Don’t boast about being wise, strong or rich, instead boast that you understand and know God, that you understand He is kind, just, and righteous toward us.”

Instead of living just a life based on Christian principles, we need to live a life based on the One who authored the principles. Which means you need to let Jesus truly be Lord over your life. You need to die to yourself everyday and live for Christ. Take up your cross and follow Jesus. Just like He told us to do in Luke 9:23-25.
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:23-25).

In order to die to yourself and your plans, you need to spend time with God everyday so that you get to know Him. The way you do that is: read and meditate on His Word, pray, be silent before God and listen, and ask the Holy Spirit to burn the Word of God on your heart and use it to change your way of thinking, and to lead, guide and counsel you through every moment of your day. Romans 8:14 says, “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.”

When you live in a relationship with the living God, Jesus Christ, you no longer operate in your strength and wisdom, but instead you are led, strengthened , and powered by the Holy Spirit. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phillipians 4:13)

Whose power and strength are you living under, your own or Jesus’? Start changing that today by getting to know God.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I know that I cannot live under my own strength. When I have tried to do it in the past, I have failed miserably. I know that it is You and only you who “gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31). You give me grace that is sufficient for every situation. You anoint me and supply my lamp with fresh oil. You are my “arm every morning, our salvation in time of trouble” (Isaiah 33:2). I know that through You, I will have strength to labour, strength to wrestle, strength to resist, strength to bear, and strength to go on. No matter what I face today, so shall my strength be. I will keep my eyes on You and press forward towards heaven. I will run the way of Your commandments, cheerfully and with gratitude, and not grow weary. I will not faint, because I will persevere as I walk in faith, and I know that in due season, I shall reap Your favor and blessings. In my greatest distresses, my greatest troubles, my greatest problems, my greatest pain, I will continue to wait upon You, and not despair, because I know that I will always receive timely and effectual relief from You. In the Name of Jesus, Who is the Answer to all my problems, I pray, Amen.