January 1st
January 1st
Are we tapping in to the power available to us? Do we really believe in the power of God? Are we settling for less than God’s best? If so, then why? Habit? Lack of knowledge? Lack of faith? Are we buying in to a lie from satan?
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
In a verse in 2 Timothy, Paul mentions people having a form of godliness but denying the power. I don’t think that was quite the same thing that I am referring to, the verses before and after that talk about people who were steeped in sin and leading others astray by posing as godly people. But the fact is, that they were denying the power of the Truth, the power of the cross. They just talked but they didn’t believe or experience the power of salvation. We see Paul clarify in his letter to the Corinthians that it is not a matter of talk.
1Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
It is not a matter of talk, so are you tapping in to the power of God available to you in your life? God wants to see you transformed and He does not expect you to do it on your own. He knows that you can’t, so He gave you the Holy Spirit. He was quite clear about the power available to us once the Holy Spirit comes on us.
Acts 1:18 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This power is seen in may ways and accomplishes many things. We have already seen examples in verses the last few days: the power to forgive, the power of transformation/sanctification. The Holy Spirit can also give us boldness, self-control and patience and all of the other fruit of the Spirit that we need in our lives. But do we tap into this resource of power?
2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
One way that we can ensure that the year ahead is different than our past years is to be sure that we are aware of and utilize the resources available to us. Those resources include the power of the Word of God, the power of prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. We have all of that power available to us! -But are we using it? We wonder why we don’t have God’s results in our lives. We need to immerse ourselves in God’s resources if we want God’s results. He has given us access to everything, every single thing, that we need to see God-results in our lives. We might find ourselves ok with reading a few verses each day and praying a few minutes each day but we don’t tap into the power of the Holy Spirit. Why? Is it because we don’t know what that means? Is it because we are afraid of it? Is it because it is foreign to us? This year ask the Holy Spirit to make Himself known to you, ask Him to help you follow His leading, ask Him to help you learn His voice. All of that will come from spending more time in the Word and in prayer. Paul told the Philippians to pray in every situation, EVERY situation. If we made that change alone it would bring better results in our lives.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERY situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Let us walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and face every single situation ahead of us with the boldness and confidence (not pride or arrogance) that comes from knowing that we have the power of the Almighty God working in and through us everywhere we go!
Jesus, thank you for hearing me, help me to pray in every situation. Help me to not neglect the resources available to me. Holy Spirit help me to know your presence and your directions, help me to know your voice and thank you for bringing change in my heart and in my life. Help me to remember the power available to me through you and let that change the way I do life. Help me to see every day differently knowing that you have a plan for that day and the power to carry out that plan. Help me to quit relying on my own strength and tap into yours instead.
Happy New Year!
May the Lord bless you and keep you close to Him this year; May you be transformed by His mighty power so that you become all that He created you to be!
Shalom Shalom!