Apr 08
Today’s Truth
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:14
In the very first Rocky movie, the Italian Stallion, Rocky Balboa, very eloquently encourages his demure girlfriend, Adrian. “I got gaps. You got gaps. Together we got no gaps.”
But Rocky got it all wrong. He’s got gaps. Adrian’s got gaps. And no person alive is going to fill those gaps. God is the only One who can fill our gaps. And I’d go so far as to say that He is the One who gave us those gaps so that He can fill them. He is the great I AM who fills our gaps and fills in our blanks.
When we say, “I’m not good enough,”
God says, “I AM.”
When we say, “I’m not smart enough,”
God says, “I AM.”
When we say, “I’m not strong enough,”
God says, “I AM.”
When we say, “I’m not ________ enough,”
God says, “I AM.”
He is the God who fills in our gaps. He is the God who fills in our blanks.
I’ve often heard it said there is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man, that cannot be filled by another created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote: “[God] said to me . . . for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9, AMPC).
Paul knew what he could accomplish on his own: nothing. Oh, he could be busy. We all can do that. But bearing “fruit that will remain” is another story. This is how he viewed his own personal weaknesses:
I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.”
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become (2 Cor. 12:7–10, MSG).
Paul had great confidence. The prefix “con” means “with,” and the root “fid” means “faith.” So a confident person is one who walks in faith. When you allow God to fill in your gaps with His power and provision, you will have the confidence and courage to leave the limpid land of in-between and march into the Promised Land of life to the full!
That’s where I want to go today. Where I want to live. How about you? If you’re ready to stop wandering around in the wilderness of indecision and start moving forward to take hold of your Promised Land of life to the full, leave a comment and say, “I’m taking hold!”
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, I have gaps, and I am so thankful that You are the great I AM who fills in those gaps. You fill in my insufficiency with Your all-sufficiency. You fill in my inadequacy with Your all-supply. You fill in my pain with Your healing purpose. Today, I will walk in faith with con-fid-ence.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Are you depending on an earthly relationship to fill in your gaps? A husband? A boyfriend? A child?
If so, how is that working for you?
What do you need to change in your life to allow God to fill in your gaps rather than other people?
More from the Girlfriends
Today’s devotion was taken from my book, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let go, Move forward, Live bold. A mediocre, mundane faith is not what you were made for! In Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, I reveal the most common reasons we get stuck in our Christian faith, living less than what we had hoped. I show you how to break free of all that holds you back, move forward with all that God promises, and live the adventurous faith of bold believing. It’s time to leave behind feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy that hold you hostage and take hold of the mountain-moving faith God intends. Click on the book cover to download a sample chapter and view a quick video. And if you’re looking for a new study for your women’s group or individual study, Take Hold includes a Bible Study guide in the back.
I am taking hold!
I’m taking hold!
“I’m taking hold”
I am currently living in a work gap. I lost my job April 25 and I am not finding an easy time of obtaining another.
I have felt a strong pull to Christian women’s ministries in the past year but doors are not open. I am looking within my field but that’s not so easy either.
I am desperately trying to wait on Him and for what He has in store for me next.
I’m NOT good a waiting. I like to know the plan and know where I’m headed.
He is asking me to trust him to fill in the gaps. This is hard for me to do.
“I’m taking hold!” I am ready Lord to take this to the next level, whatever that level may be. I know that in and of myself I can do nothing. But with Christ who gives me my strength, nothing is impossible. Take over Lord! Amen; amen!
I’m taking hold!!
Thank you for this today. I’m taking hold!
I’m taking hold !!
I am taking hold! Thank you for your encouragement to move forward. I have your book and while having quiet time this morning was just sharing and asking Jesus to fill my empty spaces in my heart I have decided not to expect from my family or others…..but let Jesus meet and heal and have His will in me….just to let go. I am looking forward to your book, thanks again 🙂
I’m taking hold! These devotionals are such confirmation for me. Thanks for providing this daily inspiration!
Just as I started reading this devotional, the song I Am by Crowder came on the station (K-Love)with these first words, “There’s no space that His love can’t reach. There’s no place where we can’t find peace.” What perfect timing! I’m taking hold!!!
I’m taking hold!
I am taking hold ! It’s hard not knowing the outcome but please Lord help me in my faith knowing you want what’s best for me. Help me in my gaps, fill them with Your love and wisdom, because I know You’re straight is sufficient.. Help me to write these words on my heart.
2 Corinthians 12:9 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and [a]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may [b]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
Help me Jesus to take hold !!!!
Thank you Girlfriends for your daily message, it hit home for me today!!
In Jesus name, amen
I’m taking hold. My husband and I spent over an hour last night discussing an opportunity I have for a position but I feel unqualified for it all. This reminds me that when it is God’s work he will fill in the gaps of my insecurity and can teach me.
I AM taking HOLD
I am taking hold!
I have been waiting on the Lord to help me make some decisions on the treatment that I am going to get for the cancer that the doctor’s say I have. I really need insurance to approve a type of radiation so parts of my body to not get destroyed. I have been trying to walk in faith, and I remind myself that God is in control. I really want the kind of faith to move mountains, I am taking hold today.
im am taking hold
I’m taking hold !!!!
I am taking hold. There is no other option.
Lord help me to hold.You are my strength and my refuge. You are the great I AM and through you everything is possible. Help me to know that I am worthy of your love and promises and that I am nothing without you.
I am taking hold!
I am taking hold!!
I am taking hold!!