Day Eighteen
You've Got The Power! by Pastor Mike
I remember in high school football being promoted to the defensive end position. I used to be a peanut. In fact, "peanut" was a nickname my parents called me (not a huge confidence booster for football).
But I had finally grown, and had been working out with weights, so I was getting stronger. However, the defensive end position meant that I would have to face larger guys, and a very large running back. I have to admit, I was intimidated.
The moment came in practice, where the ball was snapped, and all the players around me got cleared out..and here came the running back, barreling down on me like a locomotive! Thanks to my timidity, he leveled me on the field in front of the whole team...and I got an earful from the coach. But I'll never forget his words that day!
He said, "Wehde, I've seen you in that weight room. You've Got The Power In You - USE IT!"
As soon as I realized he was right...I put my shoulder down, found the power within, and leveled that guy for a loss!
Today Christians are losing battles to large running backs every day!
So many get defeated by the attacks of the enemy, or even by the simple pressures of the world. Marriages and families are crumbling, work environments are toxic, finances are shackled in debt, and addictions are at an all time high! And this is the CHURCH! It's as if we're powerless over these things.
But the Apostle Paul, like my football coach, stands up and encourages us about what's IN US. He says, "be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (Ephesians 6:10-11)
The word "power" comes from the Greek "kratos," and means "demonstrative force." It is the exertion power that is executed upon action. It is the outward manifestation of the strength God's filled you with.
Coach Paul is saying,You've Got God's Power In You - USE IT
This word is huge for our spiritual walk. The truth is, God has put DYNAMITE Power IN us, the same power He used to resurrect Jesus from the dead! (Ephesians 1:19-20, read it here).
BUT, if that power just RESTS inside us, and never gets called into action, then we are doomed to get leveled by the Running Back of the Evil World. That would be like being given Dynamite, but never igniting it!
We have the ability to take on this spiritual warfare the Bible speaks of, and with this Demonstrative, Explosive Power - advance in our walk, look more like Christ, and help His Kingdom Advance.
This power from God has been displayed all throughout history...from the acts of Creation, parting of the Red Sea, Raising of Jesus Christ...and in all the ways He worked in your life.
He put that same power INSIDE of you so you could demonstrate it in those times of battle!
We have an enemy who does NOT want us to experience God's power. Satan wants you to think you are weak, a failure, and powerless to change things. But you're not!
Remind yourself that he that is in you is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4), and that all those hours you spend in the spiritual gym of reading Scripture, praying, and connecting with God's people will amount to an amazing power of God within you, if you just call it out in faith!
There's NO reason that God's people should live in defeat over ANYTHING! We have His mighty power to win battles for great marriages and families, over addictions, over financial debts, and even for becoming influences in our neighborhood and workplace.
But you have to believe it's IN YOU, ready to be used!
"You got the Power in you - now use it!"
Next Steps
1. Reflect on times in your life where God demonstrated a supernatural power to help you.
Write them here:
2. Now stop and thank Him for those times of victory! (A grateful heart opens a door for more of what you're grateful for.)
3. Write down certain areas of your life that you feel defeated and powerless.
Is it your marriage? Is it your fight over an addiction? Is it a workplace or family situation? Debt?
Areas of Defeat:
4. Now ask God to well up HIS POWER within you for the victory in these areas. SPEAK out loud exactly what you desire to see happen for a victory. Declare it!
Write out what victory looks like here:
5. Ask others to walk with you in the belief that you will see victory, and ask them to help you stay strong as you take the necessary steps needed to win the battle. Some battles take longer than others, and need more steps, but His power is sufficient for the whole journey!
I will ask THESE people to walk with me:
Let's end the Fast this week invoking the full POWER of God on our lives to see many victories in 2020!
Pastor Mike