Where is the Power?

Where Is The Power?

• Philippians 3:11 (NLT)

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We have all been without power before, some of us, especially those effected by Super Storm Sandy for quite sometime. It is hard to function without power, for some of us live our life through electronic devices. To cripple this nation all it would take is causing long term power loss. It is wise to prepare for loss of power, to have a generator and a supply of non-perishables.

Have you ever thought the power was out but it was just a cord unplugged, or it was just a breaker problem?

The enemies job is first to prevent us from getting saved, secondly if that does not work is to prevent us from walking in power. We don't have to call the electricity company to find out when the power is coming back on for we would probably be put on hold anyway. The power of God is within us, we just have to learn how to stay switched on and plugged in.

What is our power source?

Electricity is necessary to charge an electronic device for it to have any power. Battery run devices can operate for a time but if it is not re-chargeable, it's power will dissipate. Believer's who are not connected to God, plugged in, burn out quickly. We need constant Holy Spirit re-charging to walk in the power of God. We cannot rely on yesterday's grace to carry us through present day challenges. We can decree and declare all that we want. Just like I can say let there be light, but if the switch is not plugged in, darkness will remain. The blood of Jesus only has power when it is flowing through our veins like electricity flows through the circuits when a electronic device is plugged in. Confession, prayer has no power if we are not united with Christ through the Holy Spirit.

My wife can't stand when people leave the lights on when nobody is in the room, it wastes electricity. This is not a problem as Christians we have to worry about, we cannot overload the breaker box, we don't have to worry about a big electricity bill, the light of Christ, the power of God can remain on at all times. It is when we turn it off that we have to pay a price. Let us stop being turned on and turned off, turned on, and turned off, but rather just be on as John 15 says to abide in Christ, meaning cling to, rely upon, yield to, be submitted at all times.

How do we remain connected?

"The bible says to pray without ceasing," how is that possible? Proverbs 3:5-6 says to "Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge God in all your ways, and He will direct your path." We stay connected to God through continual acknowledgement.

What disconnects us?

In Philippians 3:2 it warns us to watch out for those who preach salvation by works. Meaning those who try to please God by good works, not understanding that God alone is good, so only by, in, and through Him can anything good come forth, as it says in Philippians 3:3-4 "we put no confidence in human effort." Some of us like Paul have accomplished many great things but as he acknowledged, everything apart from Christ is worthless and should be counted as garbage (Phil. 3:8).

What should be the result?

Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

We truly know Christ and experience the resurrection of the dead.

Isn't that promise for when we die?

Yes and no. Jesus taught us to pray "Let your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. So we can walk in resurrection power now, we can bring heaven to earth. For the bible says the kingdom of heaven is within us. So through faith in obedience to God's word, resurrection power manifests. That means blind eyes are opened, deaf ears c hear, families and communities are transformed.

What is the catch?

It said in Philippians 3:10 we must suffer with Christ. Question, didn't He take our place? Yes, but He said we must take up our cross and follow Him. The cross means "nevertheless not my will but your will God." It is a life of sacrifice which is self-denial, living for the Glory of God rather than ourselves. No matter the pain, no matter the difficulty we except His will above our own.

THE CRUCIFIED LIFE - Galatians 2:20 "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me

FIRST THE CROSS, THEN THE RESURRECTION!

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Where To Even Begin?

If you are like me you would rather replace something than restore it, for the process of restoration takes work. Even trying to clean a room like a garage, basement, attic etc. can be overwhelming, it's like where do I even begin, so I just put it off. Now how about those who have been effected by Super Storm Sandy? Wow, I honestly cannot imagine! Many of the people have to start completely over for there is nothing than can be restored, all they have is memories.

How about when it comes to our lives? Many of us have experienced our own super storm, we might not have material destruction but we have shattered lives, broken hearts. As Christians we are all in a process of restoration, the question that needs to be addressed for us who have extremely messed up lives is where to even begin?

In Ephesians 4:17-19 we get the answer, we need to start by removing our stinking thinking. Salvation changes the heart but the mind remains the same unless we choose to no longer be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Jesus paid the price once for all regarding our eternal security but to walk out our salvation it takes work.

A baby will not grow physically without drinking milk and neither will we grow spiritually without daily intake of the word of God. The soul is made up of our mind, will, and intellect. It is great to say we are saved but it won't amount to anything but a ticket to heaven if we don't change the way we think. God's will is that heaven come to earth, we access heaven through faith in His Word.

Like boxers, daily we enter the ring.  If we are spiritually illiterate we have nothing to counter the enemy, so when he swings, we may duck, but eventually he connects because one can only be on the defense so long without an offensive response.  Even if one begins to get knocked around if they just don't get knocked down and make it through the round, they can recover between rounds.  We need daily spiritual breaks where we can regroup and like Ephesians 4:23 says allow the Holy Spirit (our personal Trainer) to renew our thoughts and attitudes.  It's best to avoid being knocked down, one can only handle so many blows before they are knocked out.  In the fight called life we have a choice in every situation to take a break when we need it and respond when we are spiritually right.

If we fight flesh with flesh we have no advantage, we will meet our match.  It will be a battle described in Ephesians 4:28-31, with the fleshly characteristics of lying, stealing, cursing, bitterness, rage, anger, slander, etc.  If we fight flesh with God's Spirit, we will respond in opposite manner, with lies we will respond with truth, with stealing we will respond with giving, with cursing we will respond with blessing, with bitterness, rage, anger, and slander we will respond with kindness, forgiveness, and tenderheartedness.  Holy Spirit always has the upper hand, if we fight darkness with light, sin is dispelled, curses broken, and victory enforced.

Maturing In Christ

Maturing In Christ

• Ephesians 4:1-16 (MSG)

As a parent I often get impatient with my kids, I have spoiled them, and so they like things easy, so when I expect them to be helpful, they make excuses. Training a child takes work, one cannot expect a child to figure everything out on their own, they need parental guidance. Children are lazy and disrespectful because we allow them to be. To raise up a child in a godly manner will require time, effort, and persistence. Parental neglect is one of the biggest causes behind behavioral issues. Children are guided more by media than anything else. What one absorbs will create the thought patterns that decisions are based on. So if we expect our kids to be shaped the way we want them to be then we as parents got to be the chief guiding factor.

It is understandable for a toddler to still be crawling but above toddler it means there's a disability. When someone's maturity level is stunted much below there age, it is called arrested development. Paul tells the Ephesians in chapter 4 that they need to get up and walk better yet, run, meaning they should be further ahead. There is a process of spiritual growth that parallels natural growth. God desires His children to mature, for the more they grow the more they reflect Him.

We need to learn how to parent, how to help others mature, for very few of us were parented well ourselves, therefore we don't have the personal example, but thank God for the Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things pertaining to life and godliness. We are instructed in Ephesians 4 to correct in humility, for making someone feel less than is pride, and resistance will follow . We are to be an outpouring of God's love. The consistent love shared will break down walls and open hearts and the response will eventually be honor and respect.

Ephesians 4:4-6 reminds us that we all have one God, one faith, one baptism, who rules over, works through, and is present in all. So we must learn to trust Him, and do all we can to stay united with one another despite all our differences. Since we are so different, we can't expect to make someone always see the same way we do, so how united can we truly become. Instead of our differences dividing us we should celebrate them for they balance us out, that is a mature perspective. When differences arise we who are mature are to quickly mend them. We are not to wait for the other to apologize we must take the initiative. If the difference is something that is ungodly and they are not willing to receive truth, let us not argue but pray that God will help show them the Truth, and just continue to love them and hope that with time when there heart is ready they will see things differently.

It is much easier to connect with those you can relate with, that is why we have so many different groups within the church, but how then can we help each other grow if we are around only those at a similar level? We are one body and have a part to play with different responsibilities, which includes our own growth and helping others grow. So therefore we need to be part of a variety of groups that allow for all our spiritual responsibilities to be met.

Ephesians 4:7-13 states that Christ (the anointing) has supplied us with gifts for the purpose of building up the body. Some of us have been given the gifts of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher for equipping each member with the necessary grace to mature and develop into the fullness of Christ. Each of these offices within the body are like different nutrients and each member needs an adequate amount of each to grow in a healthy balanced manner. It is the wide variety of these gifts that I regularly receive from that has allowed me to mature at such a rapid rate. The Apostle keeps me focused on Christ and helps me see the big picture, the Prophet speaks into specific areas within my heart that need work on and helps me discover my identity, the evangelist prepares me in spreading the gospel and winning souls, the Pastor helps me through my daily struggles, the teacher keeps me grounded on God's Word.

God does not want us to stay at the maturity level of a child for good. He wants us to keep the faith of a child, simply trusting Him, but growing in responsibility, so we can reflect Him in all of His ways. Children can be easily persuaded or taken advantage of, moved by different winds of doctrine, a responsible adult is steadfast, unmovable, cannot be easily shaken by the circumstances around them. Maturity as we have seen cannot come by being isolated being part of the body means we need each other to grow.

Restored Art!

Restored Art!

• Ephesians 3:14 (NLT)

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I was looking at some pictures today from a few years ago and it reminded me that life with God is full of special memories and special people. God, the Father, the master artist, is painting the most amazing mysterious picture and we are personal witnesses as it unfolds.

Do you ever find yourself so preoccupied with responsibilities that life is no longer enjoyable? Why do you think youth prefer not to be around adults? Because we are so serious, we no longer know how to have fun. Let us not lose our childlike faith. Joy does not come because life is easy and full of fun, it comes because we trust God no matter what.

I had a demanding job that created heavy pressure. I chose though in the midst of working hard to enjoy it, to create an environment where as a group we accomplished much and enjoyed each others company by keeping a positive attitude. Joy is contagious, there was one lady that worked with us that always had a sour look on her face, yet it didn't take long before she herself was laughing and having a good time while she still got her work done.

We have to remember God is with us, Emmanuel! We are not surviving but thriving, we have His grace our work is His work so with His added strength everything turns to gold. When we worry, stress, have fear and anxiety it is because we don't trust God and are trying to accomplish things alone. Our Attitude reflects our altitude. If our thoughts are above we see through a Heavenly unlimited perspective, if our thoughts are just on our circumstances we have a earthly limited perspective.

Paul prays for the Ephesians in chapter 3 verse 14-21 that God would empower them with His unlimited strength through His Spirit, that Christ would make His home in their hearts, that they would understand and experience how deep and wide is His love, being made complete with all the fullness of life and power in God.

Let us speak like Paul over ourselves and into others what God desires to create into being. For God has chosen us to work with Him in restoring His beautiful painting called Earth. Since we are made in the image of God our words create, the bible says "death and life is in the power of the tongue." Just like God used Adam to name the animals and cultivate the earth, He uses our words and actions as His paintbrush. 

We are called to restore this beautiful painting removing what has been distorted by sin with how things were in the garden of Eden, God and man in holy union with all of creation in perfect harmony with Him.

What's Your Plan?

What's Your Plan?

• Ephesians 3:1 (NLT)

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Have you ever been in a situation where you just don't know what to do? You were caught off guard, not prepared for what you were facing and therefore had no plan on how to respond?

Life is full of uncertainties, we have many paths we can follow. God has one way for us, it is narrow, and few follow. Some of us take life as it comes, we go here and there depending on the moment with little forethought. Others plan so hard that they don't move until everything falls rightly in place. Yet many are afraid of taking risks so they follow the wide path that seems safe yet leads to disaster.

Can we say we know God's plan for our life? We cannot know it fully for it is beyond what we can imagine or think, but if we are walking with God, we should know enough to move forward. Paul here in Ephesians chapter 3 shares God's plan that was revealed to him. Paul was not confused and unstable but certain of his calling, and so should we.

Before I knew Jesus I had like a million plans for my life, so I kept changing my mind what I really wanted to do, and therefore changing my college degree, which wasted a lot of time and money. Now that I know Jesus I have so much confidence, I trust that He knows what is ahead of me, and is guiding me step by step. I have an inner witness that I am in His perfect will. He gives me enough of a glimpse ahead to make the decisions necessary to prepare for what is to come.

It is amazing to know that God has a plan for our lives, there is a reason we exist. He has made us unique, different than anyone else for a specific purpose.

Paul in Ephesians 3:6-7 "And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News."

This is God's ultimate plan and we all have a specific role with gifts and talents given to fulfill it. And as Paul states we don't deserve God's blessings yet because of His love for us He blesses us anyway. We the church have been set apart to display God's wisdom in it's rich variety (vs.7). If we follow God's plan the unique specifics will be revealed as needed. So let us therefore use whatever He has put in our hands, whatever he has placed in our hearts to spread His Good News.

I've Come So Far

I've Come So Far

• Ephesians 2:11 (NLT)

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I am not at all satisfied with my Christian walk. Yet, it doesn't take long reflecting on who I once was to be appreciative of who I now am. Change doesn't come easy, even before God is done working in one area He begins to work on the next, it is a life long process.

I am in a season of expanding my knowledge, to be greater equipped as a leader to serve people more effectively. Change comes with a price, I want to learn, but I don't want to work hard. Problem is you can't have both.

Ephesians 2:11-22 reminds us that we were once on the outside, we were disconnected with God, the Jews had the law, it affected them outwardly but not inwardly, and now we with the Jews have become one with God not by the law but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Salvation's price has already been paid by Jesus on the cross, so it's free, but walking out that salvation, takes picking up the cross, living a life of self-denial, now that comes with a cost, our lives. Yet this work is not done in our own strength it is by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our daily duty is to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit, then we carry the grace of God and can do all things through Christ.

The only way man can be united with God and with one another, where cultural, personality, gender, and race differences are not a problem is through the Holy Spirit. The church is so divided because believers are not yielding to the Holy Spirit and rather are trying to walk with God, and understand the bible in their own strength and reasoning.

The quicker we get out of the way and submit to God by yielding to the Holy Spirit the further we get ahead and the more we become. I want to spend myself fully unto the Lord and not be disappointed for what coulda, shoulda, woulda.

Do ever feel like you have a hit a plateau, where you are no longer growing? 

Often, this develops because of the lack of connection with the rest of the body. Since we are part of a body made up of many members, our growth is determined by how inter-connected we are. One can only go so far alone. Ephesians 2:19-22 describes how we are the temple of God built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, the chief cornerstone Jesus Christ. Only when each member operates together as one can we be build up. So if we want to grow further, no matter how difficult dealing with each other may be, it is the only way.

If Not For Grace!

• Ephesians 2:1 (NLT)

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Can you believe the crazy thoughts we think sometimes? Imagine if we did not have the grace of God to keep us restrained, and therefore followed through with our evil intentions. Where would our life be? We so easily judge others putting expectations on them when we know we are far from perfect and if others could read our mind we would look no different than them. We are all capable of doing wrong, if not for God who get's all the credit, we would not be who we are. 

Ephesians 2:2 says the "devil is at work in the hearts of unbelievers," so we should expect therefore his nature regarding their character. Why are we so shocked then when people behave a certain way, how else should we expect demonically influenced people to act. Humanism teaches that all people are basically good as long as they are in the right environment. Wrong, we are all prone to do evil, it is in our Adamic nature, we are born that way.

Have you ever gotten something you did not deserve? Often, I spoil my sons with what they want even when they didn't earn it. We haven't earned anything, yet God who is so rich in mercy because of His love for us (Ephesians 2:4), has blessed us with an incredible wealth of grace and kindness in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:5-7). 

Why are we so blessed? So we can take the gift of salvation that we don't deserve and therefore cannot take any credit for, or ownership of, and use it to do the things He has planned for us. 

Have you ever given a gift to someone and wish you hadn't because they did not use it for what it was intended? This happens often with my kids, what I give them becomes idols, an object of selfish obsession, my wife got so upset the other day, she rightfully destroyed one. 

When we take salvation and don't pass it on to others, just enjoying it for ourselves, God's blessings have become idols. Salvation was given not just for our sake but for the world. To love God is to walk with God, to walk with God takes obeying His commands, the greatest of which, is to go into all the world and make disciples. 

As Romans 12:1 says "considering the mercies of God let us present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to Him."