Friends' Favorite - The Enabler

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:12-14 NKJV

These days, being an enabler has a negative connotation. It implies allowing or helping an individual to do something that is detrimental to the individual's well-being. Well, let's see what you think about this...

Have you ever read the book of Genesis? God is the original Enabler. In the 2nd chapter of Genesis, verses 7 & 8, God formed a man from dirt and breathed life into him. That dirt could not have become a man - a living, breathing person - unless God enabled him.

Could David have been king without being enabled? Would Saul - persecutor of Christ - have become the Apostle Paul if God had not enabled him? Paul writes in 1st Corinthians 15:10, But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. Does any of that sound detrimental to you?... No, not to me, either.

Throughout Scripture, every story of victory, and overcoming, and living life to the fullest, and growing in the nurture and admonition of the Lord - all are because the LORD enabled. He enables us to do the things He planned long ago for us to do. He gifts us with the talent and skills and knowledge... He puts people on our paths every day to help teach us, to work Godly character into the very fiber of our being. The Word says every good and perfect gift comes from the Father! (James 1:17)

How can this be? Mark 10:15, NLT reads, Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Everything...EVERYthing is possible with God. He is such an Enabler!  Praise His Holy Name!

Prayer:

Father,

          Without You, we can do nothing. Without You, we are without hope. Thank You for enabling us to walk in Your footsteps. Help us to faithfully follow You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen