February 13 - Testing Ourselves

“For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.  Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” – 2 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul’s testimony giving God credit for enabling him to press on. It was a mystery for Paul. It was once, a challenge for Christ on the cross. Jesus had at his command the unlimited power of God.  It was His but nevertheless He willingly chose to follow the course of weakness to the cross.  He refused to use any of His divine nature to soften the pain and suffering while he, the Son of God, hung on the cross bearing the rejection of God the Father for the sins of all in the world.  Paul reminds us that Jesus rose from the dead by the power of God. In His resurrection the magnitude of the untapped power was displayed. The truth in this verse is that, as Jesus rose from the dead by God’s power, it is by that very same power we can live and serve Him in faith. We may feel weak and unable to live as we ought, but we know that we have the promise of God’s power available to us. In that power we can do what He wants us to do. Let’s remember that as we live this day.

197

March 26 – Revealed at Last

“[By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope] … who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3  (ESV) 

When Jesus hanging on the cross,  He was there for a purpose determined before His creation of the world and all things in the world. We operate now in a sphere of time that God created.  When Jesus was laid in the tomb, God planned that was not forever.  Jesus was raised to a new life and brought all who believe in Him a new birth and an eternal hope.  Yesterday’s promise was of a trust God holds for us, an inheritance He has reserved in heaven for all believers.  Today the promise continues for who are heirs in Christ, that we are being protected by the same power God used when he raised Jesus from the dead.  Belief through faith in Jesus saves us from the penalty of sin and the consequences which is death.  Our bodies may die, but we live in Christ now. Our salvation, which is not yet fully revealed in all its glory, will be revealed in the last time. Our protection by God’s power is promised to us. Salvation and new life are ours now and we eagerly anticipate their full revelation by God.  Then we will know.

# # #

September 19 – More Than Enough

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”  Psalm 124:8 (NASB)

Today, we are considering two of the many reasons these words from the Bible have great meaning for us.  First of all is the fact that our God is the Creator of the universe which convinces us of His great power.  Even to create the earth on which we live would require immense power.  Add to that what it would take to make the planets and the stars and all the celestial bodies that exist.  All this would take power beyond comprehension.  That is why we can trust His ability to help us no matter what our situation.  Secondly, it is remarkable when we realize that such a great God would even think of helping us, who are so very small in comparison and whose problems are dwarfed in the light of God's power.  What a loving compassionate God He is, and He promises us that our help is in His name.  Let's be open, honest and thankful for this promise when we call on him for that help today.  Whatever our challenges are, none are too great for God to help us face them and have victory over them.  

# # #

August 29 – Fully Persuaded

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”   Romans 4:20-21 (NIV)

Today's verse is referencing the life of Abraham and the life of faith he lived.  These words reminds  us what the essential element in Abraham's faith was.  God had given him a promise and Abraham believed that God was able to keep His promise.  He put his faith in the power of God which was also the power to keep His promise and the power to not break or forget the promise.  Without any question, Abraham put his faith in God's power.  We read that he was fully persuaded about this power of God.  You and I need to have this same faith everyday.  We need to be fully persuaded that God is all-powerful and fully able to take care of us as He has promised.  Each day we look at promises we have received from our Almighty God and each day we are tempted to be distracted or to disbelieve the promise for one reason or another.  Today, let's look at the example Abraham set for us and let us be fully persuaded that God has power to do what He has promised to us each day.

# # #

February 13

“For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

This is a testimony of the apostle Paul giving God credit for enabling him to carry on. He reminds us that Jesus rose from the dead by the power of God. The beautiful truth in this verse is that, just as Jesus rose from the dead by God’s power, so by that same power we can live and serve Him. Even though we may feel weak and unable to live as we ought, we know that we have God’s power available to us. In that power we can do what He wants us to do. Let’s remember that as we live this day.