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Topic: Power (05/10/04)
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TITLE: Tapping Our Power Source By Tami Wyant 05/14/04 |
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One night last week, our electricity suddenly went out. It was about 11:30 p.m. so without power, we found ourselves surrounded by complete darkness. My son made his way to the window to see if anyone else had lights. He reported that our neighbors' porch light was the only light he could see so he didn't think they had any power to their house either. I gave a little chuckle and explained that if they had power to their porch light, they had power to the rest of their house. They just must not have had anything else turned on being that late at night. Just because they weren't utilizing the power throughout their home didn't make it any less available to them.
As Christians, we often live our lives much the same way...content with a tiny little bit of light even when God Himself is our Power Source. Just as my neighbors only had a little light shining despite having power running all through their house, sometimes we choose to only let a little light shine through us even when we have the unlimited power of God available to us.
If we have a little power we can see evidence of, we can be sure there is a lot more power we aren't tapping into. If we truly didn't have God's power at work in us, we would be like a house without electricity running through it...powerless...living in utter darkness. Acts 17:27:28 (CEV) tells us, '...He (God) isn't far from any of us, and he gives us the power to live, to move and to be who we are. "We are his children."...'
Everyday, '(we) are being kept by the power of God because (we) put (our) trust in Him and (we) will be saved from punishment of sin at the end of the world.' (1 Peter 1:5 NLV) It's by His power that we are saved and sustained. The kind of power we have on our own can be loosely compared to the light a candle gives....enough to dimly light a small space and maybe put off a little warmth. But the flame of a candle is at the mercy of wind, wick and wax. Even the electricity that runs through our homes can be cut off unexpectedly when storms arise or through human intervention...just like the limited bit of power we can produce on our own. But the power that comes from God is boundless and wholly reliable.
On our own, we have no real, substantial power. Our true, deep power comes from God and God alone. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NLT) says, 'For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. But this precious treasure--this light and power that now shine within us--is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.'
When we forget where our power comes from, we can become proud, thinking all we accomplish for the Kingdom we do because we are such stellar Christians, spiritually in tune with the call of Christ so much so that we no longer need to follow Him but can walk independent of Him and still stay on course. That kind of thinking, of course, becomes a quick stumbling block. We must never forget, '...(we) don't give life to the root. The root gives life to (us).' (Romans 11:18 NIRV)
The skills, abilities, talents and aptitudes we possess all come from God. 'God has given each person a gift. That gift is something (s)he can do. Each one should use (her) gift to help the others. In that way, you all make good use of the many blessings God has given you. Has God blessed you by knowing how to talk? Then you should talk the words of God. Are you a helper? Then you should help with the strength God has given you. In all that you do, you should show that God is great through Jesus Christ. He has praise and power for ever. Yes, he has!' (1 Peter 4:10-11 WE)
While we will certainly be blessed and edified when God works through us, it isn't solely for our own benefit that He does so. It is also for His glory and to bring others into relationship with Him. Colossians 1:28-29 (NIRV) says, 'We preach about him. With all the wisdom we have, we warn and teach everyone. When we bring them to God, we want them to be perfect as people who belong to Christ. That's what I'm working for. I work hard with all of Christ's strength. His strength works powerfully in me.' It is with that same approach that we should begin flipping on the power switches in our own lives.
When we come into the light of knowing Christ Jesus and accepting Him as our Savior, we shouldn't settle to give off the dim light of a candle. We need to, '...Live like people who have the light. People who have the light do all that is good and right and true.' (Ephesians 5:8-9 WE) 'Figure out what pleases the Lord and then do it.' (Ephesians 5:10 MSG) In Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG), Jesus says, "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."
We need to turn every light in our house...in us...on and shine brightly so the whole world can clearly see Jesus living within us and through us. By His power, we can illuminate the entire world for His glory.
I pray for us as Paul did for the Christians in Ephesus in Ephesians 1:17-23 (NLV)...'I pray that the great God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ may give (us) the wisdom of His Spirit. Then (we) will be able to understand the secrets about Him as (we) know Him better. I pray that (our) hearts will be able to understand. I pray that (we) will see how great the things are that He has promised to those who belong to Him. I pray that (we) will know how great His power is for those who have put their trust in Him. It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. This same power put Christ at God's right side in heaven. This place was given to Christ. it is much greater than any king or leader can have. No one else can have this place of honor and power. No one in this world or in the world to come can have such honor and power. God has put all things under Christ's power and has made Him to be the head leader over all things of the church. The church is the body of Christ. It is filled by Him Who fills all things everywhere with Himself.' May Jesus' fill us to overflowing!!
In Christian love & Standing on God's promises,
~*~Tami~*~
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