Study Notes

I.      The second key to being strong is you have to see yourself as strong

A.    You can’t out pray your image; if you see yourself as weak you can pray for strength all you want, but you will never be strong; if you see yourself as weak you will be weak

1.     Proverbs 23:7 (American Standard Version, Darby Translation, Young’s Literal Translation)

2.     A man who prays for strength, but continues to see himself as weak will stay weak

B.     Stop seeing yourself as some weak, helpless, feeble person and start seeing yourself as the strong, mighty, champion God created you to be

1.     There’s this religious idea floating around about broken Christians and it’s a plot of the devil to keep you weak and broken

a.    Isaiah 54:10-Our covenant is one of wholeness, nothing missing, nothing broken

(1)      Psalm 3:7-The teeth of the ungodly are to be broken

(1)      Psalm 37:17-The arms of the wicked are to be broken

(1)      Psalm 147:3-God heals the broken in heart

(1)      Matthew 21:44-Whoever falls on that corner stone will be broken

b.    Matthew 8:17-He became weak with my weakness so I could be strong with his strength

(1)      John 19:36-Not a bone on his body was broken; a prophetic symbol

II.     4 Ways To see yourself strong

A.    Ephesians 3:16-I’m strengthened with might by His spirit in my inner man (spirit)

1.     Ephesians 3:16 Easy-To-Read Version

2.     Might-Strength, power, ability, to be able

B.     Philippians 3:14-I’m so strong there’s nothing I can’t do

1.     Philippians 3:14 (Amplified Bible, Easy-To-Read Version, God’s Word Translation, Phillips Translation, Young’s Literal Translation)

C.    Psalm 18:1,2,29-32-44-I am strong to fight and win

D.    2 Corinthians 12:10-I can’t be weak for being strong

1.     He saw himself as weak and He’s begging God to do something

2.     God didn’t respond to his weak begging and get the devil off Him

III.   Colossians 1:9-12- This strengthening that comes from God enables you to endure and persevere even in the greatest trials with cheerfulness and calm delight thriving; not struggling, not worn out, not depressed and heavy, but thriving, strong, and joyful

A.    God wants you strong in every thing and in everyway; He didn’t create you to be weak in any way, shape, or form in any area of your life

1.     If God wants you weak then the Apostle Paul has no business praying this

2.     Strengthened-To make strong

3.     All Might-Strength, power, ability, inherent power or power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature

B.     This strength flows down from God and He is distributing it according to His magnificent strength and power; He’s making you strong with His strength

1.     According to-Down from, distribution, intensity

2.     Glorious power-Magnificent strength

C.    This strengthening enables you to persevere with joy, giving thanks for the victory you can’t see or feel and looks like is never going to come

1.     Unto-Into, towards

2.     Patience-Steadfastness, constancy, perseverance, a man not moved by even the greatest trials or sufferings

3.     Longsuffering-Patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance

4.     Joyfulness-Cheerfulness, calm delight, thrive

5.     Evidence that you are strong is that stuff doesn’t move you

a.    Evidence that you’re strong is 6 months in you still have joy

b.    Evidence that you’re strong is you can thank God for the victory before its here

6.     Romans 4:19-20-Abraham wasn’t weak, he wasn’t staggering, he was strong in faith

a.    Natural hope was against him, but he pushed back on it

b.    Weak-Feeble, without strength, powerless

c.     Isaiah 51:3-Abraham was a rock

D.    God made us strong enough to partake of everything that he has provided

1.     Colossians 1:9-12 (The Message Bible, Easy-To-Read Version, Phillips Translation)