by Josh Stringer

Created on: August 21, 2009   Last Updated: September 01, 2009

Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

If you read the bible, then that is one of the few verses that you can remember, such as John 3:16, Joshua 1:9, Etc. I believe it is for a reason that these certain verses and other smiler can roll off the tongue so easily. It holds a powerful, in depth message, which we will talk about today, but let me first share a little story of what this verse means to me.

A while back when I was 13, all I could ever want was the brand new gaming system, the Xbox. While being raised in the Christian faith I remembered Philippians 4:13, and i thought to my shelf, if the verse said all things, wouldn't that include the brand new Xbox? In order to achieve my goal I made the most fool proof plan ever, selling lemonade. So every morning for two weeks I would ride down to the store on my bike, get my supplies, ride back, mixed the lemonade and took my wagon out to the side of the street. After two weeks, and making a little over $20.00 profit I decided that selling lemonade was not the way to go.

While planning my next idea, which started out as making a power point newspaper, I saw the commercial for UNISEF, to raise money for other kids. I threw away my idea for the Xbox after listening in on how much I could help other kids. I went to the site and requested I be sent the fund raising box so I can get started on it right away. A week later it showed up and I went door to door to my friendly neighbors telling people about how donating a dollar or two to UNISEF they could help other kids. A lot of people pitched in and before I knew it my box was full and I had to empty it out and do the othet parts of the neighborhood. Every few days I would empty out my box and go on the next two streets or apartment complexes and collect more.

At the end of the October, I counted all the money I have collected, and I still remember it to the very penny. $197.33 was the total amount I raised. Now, no doubt I was tempted to use that money for the Xbox, I am not ashamed of admitting that, so I thought on it and I remembered the verse, Philippians 4:13, so I used the strength God gave me to ask my parents to put it in their bank account a write a check to UNISEF.

Looking back on it, God gave me strength in many ways, the will to go out in the hot sun to sell lemonade, the will to help underprivileged children, and the will to put off my wants, for his will. However, that is not all that verse is capable of doing.

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