I CAN

First, before I get into my devotional, may I share the good news that our eighth grandchild, Logan Paul, was born on Thursday. He weighed 8.7 and was 18-1/2” long. What a beautiful little boy he is, and is welcomed (hopefully) by his older brother. At the moment he is not too certain about this new intruder who came into his home – LOL. Love all eight of my grandchildren and thank God for each one of them.

As I think about this New Year, I would like to try something different for my blog devotional. There are so many wonderful two or three word phrases in the Bible that we tend to overlook when we read God’s Word. I would like to consider some of these “little” words that carry much weight with what they have to say. So, I begin with this.....”I can”....

This is a familiar phrase to all of us. How many times have we heard it? The athlete says, “I can make that basket”. The mom says, “I can multi-task, just watch me!” The farmer says, “I can plant that field and harvest that crop.” The teenager says, “Yes I can too drive a car.” The mechanic says, “I can fix this engine. No problem.” When you stop and think about it, your list of “I can” goes on forever and ever.

What does God say about this tiny phrase, “I can”?

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is a direct promise to me from God. “In your strength I CAN crush an army; with my God I CAN scale any wall.” Psalm 18:29. God says to us, “there is nothing too hard or too difficult that you and I can’t conquer together”. The key is; do we even try?

Jesus used this phrase when speaking to the father of a demon possessed man in Mark 9:23. “What do you mean, “If I CAN?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Never say to Jesus, “If you can” because we know that Jesus can. This should give us a different perspective to our prayers. We either believer that Jesus CAN; or he cannot. I have a prayer that has been ongoing for some time now, yet without an answer. ‘Jesus, I believe I CAN trust you to answer it for me, for anything is possible if I but believe’.

Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “For I CAN do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” What is it you need to have the strength to do today? This week? Everything you need to accomplish the task is immediately available to you because God has already given you the strength you need to be successful. Do you believe the promise, I CAN do everything through Christ....?

As you read through Scripture, look for this tiny phrase and see how it applies to your life, or your situation. You will be pleasantly surprised and encouraged.

Quick and Easy Quiche

2 cups milk
4 eggs
¾ cup biscuit baking mix
¼ cup softened butter
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (10-oz) chopped frozen broccoli, thawed and well drained (use paper towel)
1 cup cubed cooked ham (can purchase a ½ inch slab from the deli department)
8 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10 inch quiche dish. In a large bowl, beat together milk, eggs, baking mix, butter and parmesan cheese. Batter will be lumpy. Stir in broccoli, ham and Cheddar cheese. Pour into prepared quiche dish. Bake in preheated oven for 50 minutes, until eggs are set and top is golden brown.