Daily inspiration: power in Christ alone

 Compiled by Jeff Lawton: 

There is no doubt about it: Power is enticing. It also can be intoxicating. But it is the one thing people want more of today. In the 1990s, the trend was not just to have lunch with a colleague—it was to have a “power” lunch.

 

Even today, this trend continues at a feverish pace. Instead of asking how a person is doing and listening to him or her talk over lunch, laptop computers are opened, cell phones are turned on, and handheld devices are readied to record important data. We don’t just talk; we “power” talk!

 

Sadly, those who get caught up in this whirlwind usually want those around them to take notice. They want others to think they are powerful. The truth is that if they are not living lives submitted to Jesus Christ, then they are powerless.

 

A large number of people were drawn to the early church thinking that they would receive a certain degree of power. However, they quickly realized that if they wanted to experience God’s power, then they would have to change by leaving their quest for control and personal gain behind.

 

God’s power is something He gives to those whose lives are submitted to Him. The power we experience as believers is not a power that takes advantage of others, rules over individuals, or seeks to be well-known. It is a power born of humility and sacrifice.

 

Are you living life with the goal of gaining more power, money, or influence? Remember, the Resurrection was the single most powerful event in history. Yet, it could not have taken place apart from the Crucifixion. If you want to experience true power, begin your quest at the foot of the Cross.

 

   2 Corinthians 12:9

            

           9 “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Thank You Lord for your mercy and grace!

Compiled by Jeff Lawton:

 Perhaps you have struggled with a certain sin or temptation for a long time. Each time you yield to it, you find yourself crying out to God, asking for strength to overcome it. It could be a temptation to gossip, to deceive, or to misuse your power in order to exalt yourself.

 

Temptation leads to sin, and sin creates within our hearts and minds an emotional and mental wall between God and us. However, sin does not change God’s eternal love for us. But if we fail to make the necessary corrections needed to restore our fellowship with Him, then we will reap the consequences of our sin, which can include disappointment, stress, sorrow, defeat, and broken relationships.

 

In fact, in times of sin, the greatest loss is our fellowship with the Lord. Knowing that we have grieved God through our sinful actions should be enough to turn us back to Him in sincere repentance, but sometimes we stubbornly press on to sin again and again. Finally, when the circumstances of our lives are unbearable, we fall to our knees in desperation.

 

Though God does not promise to erase all the damage caused by our sin, He certainly promises to restore the joy of our salvation when we turn back to Him. When we practice humble confession and repentance, we can experience God’s mercy and grace. Through temptation, God allows us to confront the wickedness of our hearts. If we trust God, we can turn away from the sins that prevent us from living victorious lives.

 

Remember, God allows you to be tested so that you will be refined and readied for use in His Kingdom. Therefore, say no to temptation and sin and yes to the Lord your God.

 

       John 1:29

           

             29 “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Happy Monday!!

Compiled by Jeff Lawton: 

During the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, builders had to construct an elaborate trestle across a deep canyon. After it was built, the chief engineer wanted to test it. A train loaded with double the normal train cars and supplies was driven to the middle of the bridge, where it stayed for an entire day.

 

Someone asked the builder, “Are you trying to break the bridge?” The answer was no. “I am trying to prove that the bridge will not break,” was his reply.

 

In the same way, God allows us to be tempted by the enemy. There is a spiritual hedge of protection around the life of the believer that can only be penetrated with God’s approval.

 

In times of testing, God wants to strengthen us through the trials so that we will be made ready for His service.

 

Prayer is the most powerful form of communication that we have. By teaching the disciples to pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” Jesus was preparing them to face life’s trials and temptations correctly.

 

The Lord knew the disciples would face many trials and temptations. Their only source of wisdom and help was found in God—“Lead us not.” But the sense of the Greek words used here also implies that there must be necessary training.

 

God does not allow us to face needless trials. Most of what we face comes as a result of living life in a fallen world. However, we must learn to say no to anything that would prevent us from living holy lives before a holy God.

 

     1 Corinthians 10:13

               

              13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

 

Happy Friday! :)

Compiled by Jeff Lawton:

God wants you to be wise and surefooted in your daily walk with Him, not allowing anything to come into your life that would cause you to doubt His goodness. He also knows there will be times when the enemy will tempt you to feel fearful and out of control. When this happens, you need to remember that you serve a sovereign God who has good things in mind for your life.

 

Even when troubles come, we may begin to wonder if we will ever realize the hopes and dreams that God has given us. Joseph, Daniel, Moses, David, and the disciples probably faced the same temptation to doubt God’s blessing and goodness. However, these men of faith remained steadfast in their belief in the Lord’s ability. They had to come to a point of faith where they boldly confronted their fears—and we do, too.

 

The English word worry comes from a German word meaning “to strangle or choke.” This is exactly what worry does. It chokes and prevents us from living victorious lives by stifling our godly potential.

 

Solomon, however, admonishes us to “catch ... the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom” (Song of Songs 2:15). The “little foxes” of sin have the ability to derail our Christian faith and sense of virtue.

 

On the surface, few of us would think that a little worry, doubt, or fear is enough to harm our devotion to God. However, they can steal our joy and create within our hearts and minds a sense of distrust for the things of God.

 

God is merciful. He has the power to conquer doubt, fear, and worry. When our lives are surrendered to Him, we don’t have to be anxious about tomorrow. He provides all that we need perfectly and on time.

 

    Luke 6:21

            

           21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.

Daily inspiration: We have all we need in Jesus

Compiled by Jeff Lawton:

There are people living in some of the most influential countries in the world who do not have enough to eat. They don’t know where they will get enough money to buy their next meals. Maybe they have been laid off from their jobs, or due to some serious illness, they cannot work.

 

Perhaps you know the sinking feeling that comes from hearing the news that you will no longer be employed. When setbacks occur, we must immediately turn to God to renew our hearts with His hope and encouragement. Never be ashamed of crying out to God through prayer. He knows what you are facing even before you drop to your knees to pray.

 

Being laid-off from our jobs does not mean we are without hope. God provides for us each day. We may not know how His provision will come, but if our lives are submitted to Him, then we can be sure we will receive His blessings.

 

In Luke 11, Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:2-3). During the Exodus, God did just that. Daily He provided a fresh stock of manna, a grain-like substance that also was called the bread or “grain of heaven” (Psalm 78:24).

 

Through Jesus Christ, God has provided all that we need for this life. We do, however, have a responsibility to fulfill. We must sincerely seek Him each day and be willing to let go of past hurts.

 

Let go; trust God to provide daily bread—His manna—for you. When you do, you will see Him at work on your behalf.

 

    Psalms 105:40

              

             40 They asked, and he... satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

 

I'm back!! Daily inspiration coming your way!!

 This was compiled by Jeff Lawton. 

After Jesus was arrested and questioned by the high priest, he was brought before Pilate, the Roman governor. But Jesus refused to be intimidated and told Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John18:36).

The kingdom of God is all-encompassing. It is present in the lives of those who willingly submit to His rule. It is a future kingdom where Jesus will rule supreme—not only in our lives, but also over the new heaven and earth.

When we pray the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come," we are asking for His rule to extend to every area of our lives. However, if we pick and choose those areas to submit to Him, we limit His power.

Through this prayer, we also are asking for God to work in the lives of others. There are those who never have made a commitment to the Savior—family members, friends, and co-workers who never have experienced God's saving grace.

By praying this prayer, we express our longing for His second coming. As believers, we should have a natural desire to be in God's presence. Our citizenship is in heaven, not on this earth (Philippians 3:20).

Have you blocked off areas of your life from Jesus' rule? If this is the case, then you are not fully experiencing His love and power.

No matter what your situation may be, you can come to Christ today and ask Him to be the Lord of your life. When you draw near to God, He draws near to you. Take the opportunity to experience a glimpse of heaven while you are still here on earth.

 

      Matthew 6:10

 

              10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven