Harnessing the Strength Within: Making the Most of Our Resources

2 Chronicles 11:11-12
And he fortified the strongholds, put captains in them, and store of victual, oil, and wine. And in every several city, he put shields and spears, making them exceedingly strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

When we are given the proper resources, our strength can be maximized! In our text, the right people, the right provisions, and the right weapons were all in place, and therefore it is said that the cities were made exceedingly strong. I can’t help but wonder how many of us are surrounded by good people, plenty of provisions, and all the necessary tools we need to succeed, while still failing to maximize our potential! It is not what we don’t have that defines who we are and where we’re going; rather, it’s what we do with what we have that defines us!

It’s not simply good enough to be in the right place at the right time in order for success to happen. The right environment with the wrong attitude is just as ineffective as the wrong environment with the wrong attitude! Do you really think that these cities were made strong because they had all the right stuff? May I suggest that it wasn’t the stuff, but it was what the people did with the stuff!

We must be engaging, pro-active, and involved with every opportunity that comes our way if we are to realize God’s best for our lives! We cannot relax simply because we’re surrounded by so much stuff and people! The swords are not going to engage the enemy all by themselves and neither are the provisions simply going to drop out of heaven into your lap. Your friends are not going to simply take it upon themselves to aid you in your cause, without both your initiation and encouragement!

If we want things to move in the Kingdom of God, then we’re going to have to MAKE them move! We can no longer whine and complain about all others who are more successful than us, assuming that if we had it as good as they did, we’d be blessed too! NO! We must realize that somewhere along the way, they’re blessed because there was blood, sweat and tears which paid the price for that success, and unless we are willing to do the same, we will not be the victors we dream to become.

I’m asking each of you to join with me in a renewed determination to give it all you got, and then some, to overcome every obstacle that hinders you from God’s best in your life!


~ Pastor Gary Caudill
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