Tag Archives: God’s Power

Hope in Fear

29 Jun

Guest Post

Rebekah Lyn

Reblogged from Rebekah Lyn’s Kitchen

I recently started reading through the book of Joshua again. The words of Rahab struck me. “‘I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is in heaven above and on the earth below.’” (Joshua 2:9-11)

Rahab spoke these words to the spies Joshua sent into Jericho before the Israelites besieged the city. The people of Jericho had not seen the Israelite army, but they had heard of the way God had provided them with victory in miraculous ways. The knowledge of the power of the God of the Israelites made the people of Jericho fearful. Here in America, we don’t hear of people being fearful of God’s power, yet if we look closely, I believe we can still see it in their actions.

Those who don’t follow Christ are the people most ardently pushing anti-Christ behaviors. They are the ones trumpeting rights to abortion, rights for same-sex marriage, rights to euthanasia, and the legalization of drugs. All these go against God’s plan for humanity. Pushing for these things, and criticizing followers of Christ for not getting onboard, is one way to diminish the power of the body of Christ, to silence us into submission.

People intimidate believers not to speak out by labeling them as intolerant and judgmental. The truth is, we love the people God created enough to speak out, to shine a light into the darkness, and declare the truth of God’s word. A holy fear of God and the ultimate judgment day that awaits each one of us should empower God’s people. The insults hurled at us and any consequence forced upon us by those who don’t believe are temporary trials we endure, fleeting in the grand scheme of eternity.

Rahab didn’t know the history of the Israelites. She didn’t know the law that Moses brought down to the people from Mount Sinai. Merely the rumors of God’s acts made her heart tremble with fear, making her willing to risk her life to assist the Israelite spies. In assisting them, she saved her life and the lives of her family on the day the Israelites attacked the city. She also found herself worthy of finding a place in the genealogy of Jesus.

When we live in a holy fear of God and the power He holds, we can find hope in knowing He wants the very best for His children. Charles Spurgeon commented on the trap of “carnal security” believers can fall into. After coming to faith, one may live free of doubts, fears, or challenges for many years and feel they have overcome sin in their lives. In this state of security, one may stop pursuing the knowledge of God. Spurgeon exhorts us to “never get beyond spiritual conflicts, beyond striving against our corruption, beyond hating the garment spotted by the flesh. May we never get beyond a holy filial (dutiful) fear and a grave anxiety, so that in all we do we may be pleasing and acceptable in the sight of God.”

Do you need some encouragement to face a trial or learn how to pray? Visit my resources page for some of the music and books I’ve found encouraging.

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Three secrets to live triumphantly.

14 May

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

05-13-16 3It might be strange to say, but this time in history is probably the best time to be blind. Technology has advanced so much so that those us who cannot see can perform just about any task as the sighted. And soon, even driving a car might be on the list.

But for now, the gadget I enjoy as much as the computer that reads me the screen is my cell phone. The feature of “voice over” is fascinating. Hard to believe it recognizes my voice and obeys the spoken commands. Never realized the effective way my spoken words could be.

In the same way, when adversity strikes, our words, our spoken words out loud are effective to bring triumph into our lives.

The apostle Paul, Peter and also David spoke words, powerful words…unleashing God’s force. We can do the same in any situation, any challenge, any stronghold, any disappointment, any struggle. We speak triumph in our lives in three ways.

  1. We speak words with authority as Paul did with the slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. “Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.” (Acts 16:18)
  2. We speak words in faith as Peter did with the crippled man, and God’s healing power is released. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk.” (Acts 3:6-8)
  3. We speak words in truth, and the giants we face are defeated. “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty…’” (1 Samuel 17:45)

It takes boldness, it takes faith, and it takes audacity to say, “In the name of the Lord Jesus……”

And when we do, triumph comes as we speak out loud, when we declare in faith, and when we utter words to bring about God’s power to anything we face.

What words will you use to triumph over the situation you’re facing today?

 

Source: Three secrets to live triumphantly. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Minute Mediations~6

24 May

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

JUDY

                                              

POWER…

…..What’s your first thought when you hear/see that word? Power: electrical?

A violent electrical storm?
Electrical?
Hydro?
Aircraft taking off or landing?

What about the power of a word? A judge can, with one word, sentence a prisoner to life in prison or the death penalty. That same judge can also, with one word, set a prisoner free.

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What about the power of God? I wrote about my feelings on God’s power in an Easter blog last year: God’s power is so tremendously great that He actually raised Jesus from death back into life! Amazing!! It’s so easy to just say…He arose. But just think of it – He actually rose FROM THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE! That never happened to anyone else, that didn’t physically die again.

I sometimes have a really hard time wrapping my mind around that thought. Raising someone from death to life. I know that many people have been declared clinically “dead” and through CPR or some other method, have been brought “back to life” again. But not after they had been dead for three days, as Christ was! WOW!

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God’s power is unlimited. Have you ever had your electricity go off? Have you ever heard of airplanes crashing because of loss of power? God’s power just doesn’t have that kind of limitation. Well ….because He’s GOD!

My brother, Bill, wrote about the Israelites in Biblical times, who didn’t understand God’s complete power. Here’s what Bill wrote:

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Praise the Lord indeed! God is truly on OUR side. And as Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do ALL things, through Christ, who keeps pouring POWER into me!”

 Woohoo!

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