This bi-weekly (for now) devotional is devoted to setting people free from the bondage of sin, through the power of the Gospel, practical biblical teaching and to equip people to live freely empowered through Jesus Christ.
January 17, 2012
"Power"
Power - the ability to act; strength; authority.
This word is used everyday by everybody. It enables us or something to do what it needs to do. A car will not start without power. Lights won't come on without power. The body cannot function properly without power. We can't live without power.
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."
John 1:12 KJV
Today we see many people who call themselves powerful because of their position or wealth. Isn't it sad that some of these same people are powerful by world standards but have none in their personal lives. They have power over governments but not over the negative words that come out of their mouths. They have power over people but are powerless to lust and sin. Many of us consider ourselves powerful but we suffer with guilt, depression, addiction, self-hatred ... According to the book of John, we have been given power, if we believe in Jesus Christ.
One of the things Christ did at Calvary was give mankind back His power. The power to resist and be free from sin. The power over the earth. The power of God to change lives and live eternally. We struggle with what we actually have power over, if you are in Christ. How do we access that power? First by faith, then reading the Word of God followed by prayer. We have to believe in the One who gives the power and know that it is in us.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Some of us started the new year with goals in mind. Lose weight, stop smoking, eat better, exercise, read the bible...but we fail so many times because we don't have the power is in us to do it. The same is true for many of us who say we believe in Jesus Christ. It's not some "inner self" discipline. It's how we receive power to live. It can only be accessed through a daily plug-in to Jesus Christ. Read the word of God. Talk to Him about everything in prayer. Access the power.
What have you been powerless to do or withstand? If you are in Christ, you have the power to endure and conquer. Remember, "as many as received Him he gave the (authority, ability to act, strength) power. After all, you had to plug in a computer to read this.
