The Power Source

Wouldn’t it be great to possess superhuman power? There seems to be a fascination with super heroes and shows about people who possess super powers. Spiderman 3 comes out tomorrow and people in Manila will flock to see it; young boys and possibly a few grown men will sport Spiderman t-shirts. I have never seen a super hero, but I have observed the super strange. A few days ago while visiting our local Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf I kept hearing strange sounds. As I looked around, I realized the sounds were coming from a man who was looking at his reflection in the window. He sounded like Dorie in “Finding Nemo” when she was trying to speak whale. Every few minutes he would stand up and start making odd sounds while barely moving his mouth. This reminded me of some of the strange people we encountered in NYC while taking the subways. There was the "green lady" - we often saw a woman who dressed in green from head to toe - green hair, make-up, accessories, etc. Last summer when we were visiting New York, we heard about a man who was mugging people using a chainsaw just one stop away from where we were staying.

As believers, we do have superhuman power. Whether we face concerns about the world around us, situations in our own lives or the future, we have a source of strength if our lives belong to God. The power to live free from worry and anxiety every day while making a difference in the world around us comes from God and not from ourselves. We may not know what the future holds, but we can know the God who holds the future and every aspect of our lives in His care. I have been reminding myself recently of how much I need the grace and strength of God every day. We can walk in His power in the following ways:

1. Power of knowing the greatness of God.
What looms large on the horizon of your life? Is it God or the difficulties you are afraid you might have to face? Think about the greatness, love and nearness of God and you can face whatever will come as you walk with Him, expecting great things.
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 1:18-19)

2. Power of knowing who He is in our lives.
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

3. Power of prayer.
Just pray, whenever or wherever. It works because God hears and cares.
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Mattew 7:7-8)

4. Power of joy.
Joy comes from knowing God and does not depend on circumstances.
“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

5. Power to be a witness.
You can make a difference in the lives of others in a powerful way because of the presence of God in your life.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Next post: With great Power comes great Responsibility (Actually, Winston Churchill said something similar before Spiderman.)