You've Got The Power!

II Timothy 3:5 (NLT)  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!


 I think many of us have taken  the word "power" to mean great and mighty things. But there is more to it.
 
The writer of  Proverbs gives us some insight:

*Proverbs 16:32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.  Wow think about that for a moment! Patience and self-control better is than power to conquer a city!

We have the power to change a potentially volatile situation around by demonstrating gentleness and patience! Look at another nugget of wisdom from Proverbs 15:1 (NLT) A gentle anger deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Patience and goodness are a hallmark of the fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!,


So the first step to being powerful  is take the time to be refreshed through prayer and meditation of the Word.  It's alive and powerful!

* Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
* I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.



*Matthew5:41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
*Romans 12:21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

A New Thought About Joy

I've started a new endeavor. One that I absolutely know will fail without the strength and help of the Lord. So in my devotions I asked the Lord for strength. A verse popped into my head. That in itself it not unusual because Jesus told us that He would send the Holy Spirit to remind us of what He had said.

The verse was... The joy of the Lord is my strength. (Neh 8:10 (b) That got me thinking. So many times I've thought the "the joy" being "my" joy. But what if that isn't all there is to it? What if "the joy" is His joy? Perhaps it's both.

  Take a look at what  Jeremiah said, (Jeremiah 15:16 TLB) When I discovered your words, I devoured them.They are my joy and my heart’s delight,for I bear your name,O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies

So... my joy comes from consuming the Word of God, taking it in and taking it to heart.  But there is more. If His joy is my strength I needed to understand more about His joy.

Common sense tells us that we love to give gifts to our children. Don't want to reward our children for good behavior or when they have overcome a bad attitude?Perhaps we want to reward them for bringing up good grades. A reward  could be a tangible gift or it could simply be a word of encouragement or a hug. Still we are delighted when our children do well. But on the other hand when correction is necessary that is never pleasant. It has to be done, but still it is done because we love them and want them to overcome.


So I am encouraged and I hope you will be too. Remember how much your heavenly Father loves you and He longs for a relationship with you.




*Matthew 7:11 So if you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children how much more with your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.


* Proverbs 3:12 For the Lord corrects those whom He loves just as a father corrects a child in whom He delights.