The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Abilities of Another"
In modern times, life changes when homes and businesses lose electrical power. Illumination, heating and cooling, food storage, and access to communication affect our households. Businesses often cannot function and make the profits necessary for their success. Such difficult times vividly reveal the blessing of electricity, and the benefit it conveys to our lives.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).
Loss of power in natural terms directly reflects a far more important spiritual reality for born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. God calls us to live our lives by "the power that worketh in us," namely, "Christ, the power of God" (Ephesians 3:20; I Corinthians 1:24). We do so by faith, trusting in our Lord's indwelling and enabling through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Our confidence in His promise of power determines how we experience the wonder of a life lived by the abilities of Another. Like electricity, which does not cease to exist during times when its transmission is interrupted, our Lord is always present with us. In both the natural and spiritual realm, however, if lines are down or damaged, we may not have access to the power that helps us to enjoy and benefit from a force far beyond our human capacity. As Matthew wrote in his Gospel regarding distrust of the Lord Jesus in His home country: "He could not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (Matthew 13:58).
When electrical components properly function, we experience their benefit far more than we realize. We flip switches and enjoy the power while rarely giving a thought to the invisible force that makes such blessing possible. In the same manner, when we trust and submit to our Lord by faith, making choices to affirm His enabling, we often do not realize how much He leads and empowers us. The Lord Jesus Himself lived most of His earthly life by the power of God in a manner so inauspicious, His own brothers did not know who He was when His ministry began (John 7:5). Thus, we do well to remember our Heavenly Father does not call to a transcendent life of godliness without first supplying a power "exceeding, abundantly above all we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). We turn on the switch, as it were, by faith. The power - the power of the living and true God - flows as we do, and whether we see it or not, the abilities of Another enable us to walk in ways impossible apart His presence and working.
"Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."
(Ephesians 6:10)
Weekly Memory Verse
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness."
(Isaiah 41:10)
6058