Tag Archive for: God

Plugged In

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8, AMP)

Last week, the power went out at my house.  I spent 2 and a half hours without power and wasn’t sure when it was coming back on again.  My son Zion and I spent some time outside because it was a little cooler and lighter.  While sitting out on our deck… I got to thinking… What if the spiritual power in my life went out?  Then I thought, it does go out every time I step away from the Word.  Every time I think I can do something on my own.  Every time I walk away and ignore God’s guidance.  The power that God wants to give me vanishes every time time I separate myself from Him.

In John 15:5, Jesus puts it like this…

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do NOTHING.”

We only have power when we are connected to the source.  We can’t produce fruit without the life giving sap that runs through Jesus.  What does a life with power look like?  Well, I think it looks like three things.

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The Scarlet Letter

If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] (1 John 1:8, AMP)

Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if we all had to carry a scarlet letter.  I wonder if we would treat each other differently.  Instead of looking at someone else and their sin, maybe we would be more conscious of our own.  What if our sins were written on our forehead?  A place we cannot hide them.  What if we all had to walk around with our sins out front for everyone to see?  My guess is there would be less judgement among Christians, less criticism, more humility, and more grace.  I’m completely serious about this.

I’ve thought about it for a while.  We get so caught up in what so and so is doing and how they are not living to the standard we think they should be living too.  But the truth is there is only one perfect standard.  Jesus Christ came and lived a sinless life.  He is the perfect standard by which our lives should follow.  I don’t mirror anyone on this earth.  I need to mirror my Savior.

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Stay on Course

 You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.

You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
    doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
    you walk straight along the road he set.
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Mimic the Father

Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. (Ephesians 5:1, AMP)

Sunday I heard an incredible story in my Sunday School class and I want to share it with you.  It’s the perfect picture of what discipleship is!  One of the men in our class shared how he was listening to worship music with his children while driving to his parents house.  He looked in the back seat and saw his little girl praising the Lord.  She was singing the song with Daddy and worshiping the King.  As Brad shared this, tears readily flowed from his eyes.  It was such a beautiful moment to be apart of.

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I am a Disciple

Then he (Jesus) said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? (Luke 9:23-25)