DAY 13: Power . . . and More

Posted on Feb 12, 2016 in Devotion: Gather. Equip. Send. |

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

(Romans 1:16)

Power. So often we think of “power” as something that belongs to someone or something else. The electrical lines have power in them that you dare not touch. A category 5 hurricane with winds of 150 mph or more has power that you cannot control. A train traveling down the tracks or a plane taxiing down the runway towards lift off are too powerful to stop on your own.

But what about the power within you? The apostle Paul prays in Ephesians 3:16 that

“. . . He (God) may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being . . .” Here God prays that His

power would be at work in you. Is that possible?
According to Romans 1:16 it is. Here Paul recognizes that the very gospel itself is “power.” In fact, the word that Paul uses here for power in Greek is the word that gives us the English word “dynamite.” Paul realizes that the power of the gospel explodes the grip of sin on your life and in exchange gives you the richness of God’s love. That is the kind of power at work

in you

because of the gospel that is brought to you.

Just imagine what “that” kind of power can accomplish: sins forgiven, lives transformed, peace restored, hope renewed. That’s powerful!

As you find yourself involved in this capital campaign, you may find yourself wondering (worrying) about whether your church will be able to meet its goals. You may be wondering (worrying) about whether there is really anything you can contribute to this effort. But as you reflect on these concerns, remember the power that is at work within you – God’s power.

God’s power; where God became man in Jesus.

God’s power; where Christ came from heaven to earth, from earth to the cross, from the cross to the grave, and from the grave back to heaven.

God’s power; where Christ took your sin and exchanged it for His righteousness.

God’s power; where there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

God’s power; where, because of Christ, you are a new creation.

As you reflect on God’s power

within you, look for how God’s power can be displayed through

you as part of this capital campaign effort. As you do that, watch for God to be at work in ways that are immeasurably more than you could have ever imagined.