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« October 2009 |
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Today’s posting is the third in a three part series.
People can be touched by the power of God without being changed by the power of God (the account of the healing of the ten lepers in Luke 17: 12-19 illustrates this). As wonderful as it is to experience God’s supernatural power through wonders and miracles, we must also trust in God’s transforming power to live meaningful, victorious lives.
It takes God’s power to remain on a task when you know it is not time to move on; to get the job done when you don’t feel like it; to be faithful when other things want to pull you away; to do what’s right when no one is watching; to be full of joy when you would rather mope; to keep gratitude in your heart when you would rather complain; to continue on in hope when things around you are dark.
Each of us needs God’s power to live a godly life, and thankfully, that power is available to us. 2 Peter 1:3 tells us, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”
Today’s posting is the second in a three part series.
In Colossians 1:10-12 we discover that God’s power can change us from within—
“That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
It takes the power of God to cause a crippled man to walk, to open the eyes of someone who cannot see, to bring hearing to deaf ears, and to set someone free from demonic powers. But, it also takes the power of God to stop someone from grumbling and complaining, from being impatient, from giving up, from being ungrateful, or from being controlled by wrong attitudes.
We experience the power of God to change us when we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, when we take up our cross and embrace His will, when we are filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit, when we walk in obedience to His word, and when we trust Him with all our hearts.
This is the first of a three part series on God's power.
God is ALL powerful. When we hear about God’s power we often think about wonders and miracles. These quickly get people’s attention. His miraculous power can draw large crowds, cause people to travel long distances, and stir up great excitement. The Bible gives us many glimpses into God’s wonder-working power—healing a sick body (Mark 1:30-31), turning water into wine (John 2:9), feeding a multitude (Matthew 14:19), calming a stormy sea (Matthew 8:27), and raising the dead (John 11:43).
Wonders and miracles are manifestations of God’s power that glorify Him, but they are not the only way God’s power is revealed to us. In Ephesians 3:20 Paul tells about the power of God that works within us. Here, the emphasis is not upon what God’s power can do for us, but what God’s power can do to us.
Sadly, the subject of miracles typically draws more attention than the subject of sanctification. There are many who will seek God for a new manifestation, but will not seek Him for a new disposition; for a new sign, but not for a new heart; for a new wonder, but not for a new life.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
There’s something different about you—in uncertain times you are secure; while others walk in fear, you walk by faith; in a world that is like sand, your feet stand upon a rock; with worry all around you, you have peace beyond understanding; in the midst of heaviness and discouragement, you have joy unspeakable; in troubled times, you have every comfort and consolation; while the world wonders what will happen next, you have hope strongly planted in your heart.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9 NKJV
“Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing.” Luke 5:5. What was the reason for this? They understood the work. Had they gone about the toil unskillfully? No. Had they lacked industry? No. They had toiled. Had they lacked perseverance? No. They had toiled all the night. Was there a deficiency of fish in the sea? Certainly not, for as soon as the Master came, they swam to the net in schools. What, then, is the reason? It is because there is no power in themselves apart from the presence of Jesus! Without Christ we can do nothing, but with Him we can do all things. Christ’s presence confers success.” –C. H. Spurgeon
I used to ask God if He would come and help me; then I asked God if I might come and help Him; then I ended by asking God to do His own work through me. –Hudson Taylor
Men ask for a rainbow in the cloud; but I would ask more from Thee. I would be, in my cloud, myself a rainbow—a minister to others’ joy. –George Matheson
You, who were once far from God, have now been drawn close to His heart;
(Ephesians 2:13)
You, who were once in spiritual poverty, have now been made lavishly rich;
(Ephesians 2:7)
You, who were once without fruit, have now been made to flourish;
(John 15:16)
You, who were once extremely needy, have now been made complete;
(Colossians 2:10)
You, who were once alone and empty, have now been immersed in love;
(Ephesians 3:18-19)
You, who were once a wandering sheep, have now been brought into the fold;
(1 Peter 2:25)
You, who were once an alien, have now been made a citizen of heaven;
(Ephesians 2:19)
You, who were once an orphan, have now been adopted into God’s family;
(Romans 8:15)
You, who were once going your own way, have now been brought into His glorious will and plan.
(Galatians 2:20)
The following posting is an excerpt from an article written by Bonnie Jensen. Bonnie is senior writer for DaySpring Cards and continues to bring the heart of God to others through her books, cards, and devotionals.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
We can do nothing that [matters eternally] apart from Him;
We can do nothing [truly good] that is not motivated by Him;
We can do nothing that [makes a difference] if driven by anything other than His will.
When you feel you have nothing,
can do nothing,
are reduced to nothing…
you are in the highest place
you could ever hope to be—
allowing God to be everything you need.
“Menuchah” is a Hebrew word that means peacefully, stillness, or the quiet place. In your walk with Jesus day by day, “menuchah” can be understood as an invitation to Follow the Lord, your Good Shepherd, into His meadow—His dwelling place, His quiet place, His resting place, His protected place, His safe place, His nurturing place—where your heart will be comforted, where your love will be deepened, where your faith will be strengthened, where your soul will be renewed.
Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high,
And the wilderness becomes a fertile field
And the fertile field is considered as a forest.
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
And righteousness will abide in the fertile field.
And the work of righteousness will be peace,
And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.
Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation,
And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places.
Isaiah 32:15-18
Jesus said to the Twelve, Will you also go away? [And do you too desire to leave Me?] Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life.
John 6:67-68
Leave Jesus? Where else could we go?
We could never have a richer life;
We could never find a better way;
We could never know a deeper love;
We could never see a greater glory;
We could never belong to a surer kingdom;
We could never possess a nobler purpose;
We could never stand upon a firmer foundation;
We could never receive a fuller joy;
We could never hear a higher call;
We could never walk with a truer friend.
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