The Secret To Being Powerful

More than ever, we need God’s power in society today. Without the power of God, we would wither away to nothing. Most people don’t realize that if God leaves He takes everything with Him Man and the universe exist for no purpose.

“When I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and make the stars dark. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon won’t give its light. I will make all the bright lights of the sky dark over you, and set darkness on your land” -Ezekiel 32:7-8

Only when the Holy Spirit dwells in us can we do all that we were called to do. Without the Holy Spirit power to change us and to help us impact the world around us. It’s only with God’s power we are able to finish strong. As long as the power of God stays in our life, we have power.

It doesn’t matter what we have done in the past, or we choose to do today, without the Holy Spirit we will fail. Only through Holy Spirit sets people free with God’s power. Only the Holy Spirit can fill us with God’s power. That is why God the Spirit is here on the earth.

Job 34:14 -16 tells us,

“If God were to withdraw His Spirit, all life would disappear and mankind would turn again to dust. Listen now and try to understand.”

We need His power to survive. His Word is our secret source of power.

As the critics try to dig deeper into their hole of unbelief, their rationale invariably exposes their own inherent weaknesses. The secret source of power opens the lies, the skeptic life remains unchanged.

If you need strength, and healing in your mind or body God has provided a solution for you in His Word.

The Word Of God Is Your Secret Source Of Power

Skills I Would Like To Learn

What skill would you like to learn?

I would like to learn effective communication in social settings.

When it comes to writing and speaking to someone one-on-one I can do that. But when I’m in a group setting. I shut down.

I am always focusing on what I should say and then when I do say it, it comes out as a bibble battle because I get stressed out around too many people. My words get mixed up.

I just don’t communicate well in big crowds. I’m not sure why. Sometimes I think it’s that old feeling that people will judge me for what I say.

Why Bless Those Who Curse You?

When we experience abuse from, others, our natural response is to strike back. It’s our inborn sense of justice, coupled with our prideful desire to punish our offenders, prompts us to retaliate, returning hurt for hurt and insult for insult.

However, God instructs us to do the opposite, to show love to our enemies.

“You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you” – Matthew 5:43-44

One what we can love our enemies is by blessing them instead. In faith, we can choose to bless our enemies, even when we don’t feel like it, or it feels unnatural.

A spoken blessing is a positive. biblical statement that involves the blessing of God on the life of another. The power of spoken blessings comes from God who blessed us will all spiritual blessings in heavenly blessing.

Our words have the potential to do good or do harm. There are a few scriptures that show us the impact of this,

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, those who love it will eat its fruit” -Proverbs 18:21

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” -Proverbs 16:24

“Anxiety is a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad” -Proverbs 12:25

When we bless others we direct God’s goodness onto us.

God tells us that “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”

God will take full responsibility for whatever punishment should be administered to offenders.

“Not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult but instead blessing, knowing that to this we’re you called, that you may inherit a blessing. For, he who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him truth away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears open to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” -Peter 3:9-12

Freedom from an emotional vengeful reaction for an offender gives us immediate rewards of a hurtful person. But gives us bitterness for years. We should not live in bitterness because of someone else hurtful tendencies. Let God give them their due justice.

Paying Attention

What details of your life could you pay more attention to?

I would do better to pay attention to my body. I have some chronic ailments that have stemmed from my younger life, and not thinking of myself first.

I am in no way blaming anyone else. The truth is, we have the freedom to choose, but we are free of the consequences of the choices.

Of course, I am now reaping the consequences of my choices. I need to start dealing with the consequences of my health in a more proactive way.

Commit Your Way To The Lord

Have you ever looked back on your life and thought “How could I have been so stupid?” I look back and wonder why the Lord didn’t show me then what I have learned now. Then I think, maybe I wasn’t ready or even willing to listen. I had my way or the highway attitude.

Not realizing I had to commit my way to the Lord to build my life upon the values of His kingdom in order for all the pieces to fall into place.

So often we walk through life without clarity on where we are headed. And set out without a clear course of trajectory, we rarely find ourselves in the places we want to be.

We usually have a vision of where we want to be in a year’s time.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” – Proverbs 29:18

Our lives may be filled to the brim with a steady flow of commitments and distractions, that cloud our discernment and clutter our vision, making it harder and harder to see a way forward.

I’ve learned it’s so important to push the pause button and reassess my priorities and use of time.

We as human beings have an incredible capacity to say one thing and do another.

For example, I can say I will be at a prayer meeting this evening, and then as it gets close to that time, I am tired and want to bow out of it. I know I need to do what I say, and I know I should be there. Do I do what I say I’m going to do, or do I know out? I know I will not regret going once I’m there. I just need to get in the car and go.

Committing to the Lord is sometimes difficult, yet trusting in Him, knowing He will meet me and guide me is clear.

God is the greatest thing you could ever give yourself to. And if we run after Him with all of our heart, mind, and strength we will be blessed beyond measure.

Number One Priority

What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?

All women have a heavy responsibility to care for many things at once. We need to balance our relationships with Jesus, our homes, marriage, children, and chores, and working outside the homes if it comes to be.

Our lives are re overwhelmed and stimulated, and stressed. Women have been well known for their ability to multitask. Even if we don’t feel like we’re good at it, there are things and people we have to take care of simultaneously.

My first and foremost priority tomorrow and forever is God. Because I know if I make Him Lord over my life, everything else will fall into place. And apart from Him, I can do nothing. I cannot expect to be productive or have a balanced life when I am not abiding in Jesus.

Lead Me Lord

Lead me Father in your ways, even if I have to walk alone.

When I’m tempted to do wrong, make me steadfast wise and strong. And when all alone I stand, shield me with your mighty hand.

In Psalm 5 David’s cry to God is for guidance “Lord lead me.” Those all around are following after their own lusts. David wants none of that.

The temptation to follow the crowd was all around him. David was a soldier and he had a call from God on his life. The ordinary life of a soldier probably didn’t meet with God’s standards. Soldiers had a reputation for rough living. Women, wine, and whatever else they want. Not all soldiers fall into this lifestyle but the reputation was pretty well earned.

David did not want to become like those men. He had a tender heart. A heart towards God that was filled with praise. This did not mean that David refused to pick up a sword but when he did so it was for God’s cause and not his own glory. David wanted to be able to stand before God with a clean heart and hands.

This desire held true for David when he became king too. He conquered much but he did so in the name of the Lord. He struck the people God had instructed Joshua to be removed from the land. David advanced only within the boundaries that God had set up for Israel.

David was not perfect in his actions. If you know the story of Uriah and Bathsheba it is clear. But David had a heart that would receive instruction and connection from the Lord. He wanted nothing to stand between him and the Lord and so he was quick to repent.

Psalm 5 is very appropriate for our lives today. We are living in a time when “anything goes” and even the worst sins are glossed over. Many of the wars raging today are the result of “bloodthirsty” or “boastful” men. Genocide is on the manifest of some of the wars raging. Control and boasting rights are hidden with many others. But war is not the one place we see these behaviors.

In the boardrooms, the stock exchange, and even the classroom, these behaviors are exhibited. Tactics of deceit, aggression, and intimidation are poured out on the unsuspecting. These things are poured out in those who choose to take a stand for the Lord. We have to pray like David for God’s strength to help us stand. And for His guidance for walking the paths He had called us to.

There is so much wrong with our world today and it’s only going to get worse. We are fast approaching the time when Jesus will return, if we read the Bible, we know it is going to get really bad before the end. Luke 21:28 tells us,

“But when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”

I do not know home far that ending is but I trust God will get us there in His time. I trust that God directs my path and protects my heart in this process.

Fulfilling Hard Work

In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled?

Hard work makes me feel fulfilled because I know I am pleasing God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that whether we eat, drink, or whatever we do, do it all for the glory of God. Hard work remind me that above all I aim to please God, no people

The Bible tells us the importance of developing a solid work ethic, and putting our all into everything we do.

It’s easy to get discouraged or feel like our jobs don’t have a purpose. Colossians 3:23-24 tells us that whatever we do, work at it will all our hearts, not for others, but knowing we will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. We need to remember it is the Lord who we need to serve, no man.

When I am working I ask myself, “Is what I’m doing pleasing God.”

Stay Alert

We are living in a time where there is censorship and cover-ups of truth. Increased restriction and widespread propaganda especially with the children who are the most vulnerable.

Ephesians 5 speaks of the days we are in. This book gives us instructions during these trying times.

  • It instructs us to oppose and expose the deeds of darkness.
  • It instructs us to be watchful, awake, and alert.
  • It instructs us to make the most of the opportunities we have.
  • It instructs us on the only way to survive such days…through a Spirit-filled, Spirit-controlled life.

The Bible warns us,

“Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8

The Apostle Paul begins with Psalm 5:11-12 saying,

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in Secret.”

We need to remember Jesus was very tactful when he exposed darkness. For example at the well with the Samaritan woman, He didn’t say that the woman was a prostitute or I know what you did last night. Instead, His life brought the greatest sense of love and conviction, and ultimately transformation.

Ephesians 5:13-14 tells us,

“But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says, Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

When I do watch the news I see people who are asleep, they are not aware they preach social and radical propaganda.

This command holds great significance today.

Watching in a Spiritual sense, means to alert and aware of our surroundings. It involves having a renewed mind that is attuned to divine realities. We must stay awake and vigilant, not oblivious to the schemes of satan, by being alert, we can discern the attacks from satan and his minions while resisting them with the power of God’s Word.

Most Valuable Trait

What’s the trait you value most about yourself?

Honestly and integrity are the traits I try to uphold in my life. I value these because I used to not uphold these values. Now I hold onto them because they please God.

Being truthful and transparent in my actions and words does not only mean I am trustworthy, but also that I respect myself and others. Saying what I know and believe even when doing so might lead to negative consequences.

Integrity is adhering to my strong moral principles. It is what I do to create a foundation for trust and respect in relationships.

When people are honest and have integrity they take responsibility for their actions. These are necessary to establish and maintain a healthy relationships.

The Greatest Thief of Joy

Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy. I think he had it wrong. But I think worrying is the thief of joy.

Some people make worrying into an Olympic sport. It’s one of the most destructive habits the ensnares human beings and is as common as breathing and blinking. It is such a skilled and deceptive thief that it’s victims don’t even know they have been robbed of peace, time, mental energy as well as emotional well-being.

God never intended us to live fearfully focused on the future -hostages to an emotional heist. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us,

“In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Messiah Yeshua.”

Worry is like a leather headband that puts pressure on the mind and interweaves three things. The distress of yesterday, the trials of today, and the fears of tomorrow. It is a vice grip that compresses our joy, cramps our peace and confines our freedom.

Worry is like a thief that steals out peace. Its an exercise that leads to fear and stress instead of faith and rest.

When Jesus talked about worry m He redirected our focus to God. Our worries does not change anything, it only takes away our joy. Focusing on God changes how we handle our worries.

“Cast all your worries on Him because He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7

When we worry we have no resources within ourselves upon which to draw that will affect our situation. Jesus wants us to cast ourselves on Him. He wants us to be dependent on Him for life. When we do this Hr gently picks us up and carries us.

Worrying is like a rehearsed tape in our minds. We know we shouldn’t worry but we cannot seem to turn the tape off… then we worry about worrying.

Fortunately, Jesus doesn’t just tell us to stop worrying without telling us how to stop worrying. While our thoughts and memories can not be erased, the tape can be replaced.

Jesus tells us to focus on,

“Whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things. The things you learned received and saw in Me, so these things and the God of peace will be with you” – Philippians 4:8-9.

Three Jobs

List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter.

If Money didn’t matter, I would like to do one of three jobs:

  1. Psychologist
  2. Veterinarian
  3. Nursing -Travel Nurse