June 17, 2024
Melissa Valerio
For the last week, the power company has been in front of my house digging up the dirt and sidewalk, replacing (or repairing) the power cables underground. A few times they’ve gone in the green electrical box that sits on my property. I sure hope they know what they’re doing, because there is A LOT of power in that small box. And it’s been years since I learned CPR.
Nonetheless, the point is, power is…. well, powerful. We get a glimpse of it in Ephesians 1:19-21 when Paul is speaking to the church in Ephesus. He encourages them with a prayer “so that you—the eyes of your heart having been enlightened—will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe according to the working of the might of His strength, which He worked in Christ, by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (LSB) See, the problem is, we were made to be filled with the fullness of God, except that we are sinful from birth. We cannot become what we were made to be because we are slaves to sin — and sin cannot dwell with righteousness. We are helpless in this respect. We cannot deliver ourselves from our natural state. BUT, in God’s love, wisdom and power, HE made a way for us through the shedding of Jesus’ blood. That same power raised Jesus from the grave, and once we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, that same power comes to live and work INSIDE of us. What does that power do in us?
- It frees us from Satan’s grip
- It keeps us bound to Jesus
- It protects us from the fiery darts of hell
- It enlightens us to God’s glory
- It empowers us to live out His calling in our lives
Never mind the green box, there is incredible power in US! God’s children. God’s inheritance. God’s chosen people. A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough — so as a little droplet of faith in the all-powerful God of the universe will work its way through our entire being. Once it starts, it cannot stop. And unlike the green box which brings death to life, this all-consuming power delivers life from death.
Prayer: Lord God, You are the all-powerful King of the Heavens and Earth. By Your power we are saved, by Your power we are renewed, and by Your power we proclaim Your glory to all the nations. Thank You for bringing us into Your family and giving us Your Holy Spirit to will and work for Your good pleasure. We love You and worship You always. In the matchless name of Your Son, Jesus, Amen.
Action: Memorize Philippians 1:6: “For I amconfident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it untilthe day of Christ Jesus.” This is a promise fueled by the power of God. Once He starts a work in You, nothing and no one can stop it. Continue to pray for God’s work to be done IN you. The more He is able to work IN you, the more He will be glorified. And the more He is glorified, the more power He has to intervene in your circumstances.
image: freepik.com
“Never mind the green box, there is incredible power in US! God’s children. God’s inheritance. God’s chosen people. A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough — so as a little droplet of faith in the all-powerful God of the universe will work its way through our entire being. Once it starts, it cannot stop. And unlike the green box which brings death to life, this all-consuming power delivers life from death.”
What? Wow! Incredible – both the wording and the meaning!