Finally, my brethren, be strong in {your relationship with} the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Perfect your Heart in Obedience 

2Chr 16:9 the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Pr 10:29 The way of the Lord is strength to the upright...

1Chr 28:7 I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he shall be strong to do my commandments and my judgments, 8...keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that you may possess this good land 9...know you the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the hearts: if you shalt seek him, he will be found of you; but if you shall forsake him, he will cast you off for ever. 20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

2Chr 15:7 Be you strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. 8 And when Asa heard these words...he took courage, and put away the abominable idols...repaired the altar of the LORD 9 And he gathered all Judah...11 And they offered...the spoil...12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 That whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death...14 And they swore to the LORD with a loud voice...15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found by them: and the LORD gave them rest on all sides. 16...he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol...17 high places were not taken away...nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

APP: Is there any corrosion on your contact points, or are there any jelly beans in the outlet?

Open your Heart to His Help

Ps 138:3 In the day when I cried you did answer me, and strengthen me with strength in my soul. 6 Yeah the LORD is high, yet has he respect to the lowly: but the proud he knows afar off.

Eph 1:19 know...the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power

Eph 3:16 He would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man...

Lu 10:27 love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul, all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

2Co 12:9 And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Application: Is the switch on and the iron plugged in?

Wait on the Word with all your Heart

Josh 1:9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with you wherever you go.

Isa 40:28 Have you not known? have you not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary?...31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

2Ti 1:7 God has not given a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 1...strong in the grace that is in Christ

Application: Do you know what you're waiting for and are you willing to wait?

Energize your Heart (hearts, emotions, and actions) with the Truth

Dan 11:32...people that know their God shall be strong, and do exploits

De 20:3 Hear, O Israel, you approach this day to battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be you terrified 4 For the LORD your God goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Hag 2:4... be strong, all you people of the land, says the LORD, and work: for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts:

Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Application: Are you applying the power to the problem?

Resist the temptation of a divided Heart (to rely on: Me, Money, Men, Methods, Means)

1Co 16:13 Watch you, stand fast in the faith, acquit yourselves like men, be strong.

1Pe 4:11...let him do it as of the ability which God gives that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ...

2Chr 16:7...Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore has the host of the king of Syria escaped 8 Were not the Cushites a huge army...yet, because you did rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thy hand. 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in a prison house...12...yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.

Application: Are you letting the power do its job?

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. How would you describe someone who has a strong relationship with the Lord? Would you describe yourself the same way?

2. When are you most aware of your frailty? When are you most aware of God's power?

3. What can you point to in your life that is there not by your efforts by the power of the Spirit of God? {Zech 4:6}

4. In what area/goal are you most likely to wimp out? How can you use God's might to your advantage in that area?

5. What keeps you from being "strong in the Lord"? Is that something which will ever change? How? When?