Bear in mind for thyself, O my soul, that wonderful word, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13). Here observe, and carefully note, that it is through faith in the risen Christ, that we go from strength to strength. The risen Christ, victorious over every foe, is the strength of the Christian for his journey through this world. He has his motive to devotedness, in the once lowly Jesus, and strength for walk in the now exalted Christ of God. "He loved me and gave Himself for me," is surely enough to command the entire consecration of the heart and life to Him. It is easy to give our hearts to Jesus, when once we see that He gave His heart for us. But our strength from day to day, and from one stage of our journey to another, is in the risen, triumphant, glorified Christ. Blessed Lord — my Lord — Jesus — Christ — I need Thee in all Thy Names and titles — I need Thee as my Jesus — my powerful motive for this sluggish — this carnal — ease-loving heart of mine. I need. Thee as my Christ on high, with every enemy beneath Thy feet, and beneath mine too, as one with Thee. I need Thee as my Lord — my sovereign Lord — my coming Lord — my blessed hope, amidst all that would entangle and hinder me down here. Oh let my affections be governed, and my character formed, by my knowledge of Thee as my Lord, Jesus, Christ, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
A. Miller.