Power for Today

By Bill Brandstatter       Some people will go to any length, spare no expense in order to get power. There is a lure for power. There is an interest in nuclear power, steam power, electric power. Because of man’s interest in power, we have great inventions that have made our society a highly civilized one. To harness and learn how to use power to its fullest is a wonderful thing. The power we need today is neither electrical or hydroelectric. The power that has been given to us will enable us to be sons of God. (John 1:12)     THE POWER OF FAITH - Faith can cause a person to do a great deal. Faith is powerful. Consequently, the more faith we have the stronger we will be spiritually. That is why Paul commands us to “Take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Eph. 6:13) Faith can build up churches. Paul told the church at Thessalonia “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith growth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.” (2 Thess. 1:3 KJV) Churches often pay too much attention to their budgets. When a good work needs funding, the church needs to launch out on faith.     POWER OF PRAYER - Do you believe prayer is powerful? James indicated it is in James. 5:16. We should continue instant in prayer. (Rom. 12:12) Why did Anna continue in prayer? (Luke 2:37) Why did Daniel pray with his windows open? (Daniel 6) Why was Jesus one of the most praying individuals in the New Testament? Because prayer is powerful! Jesus said, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7)     THE POWER OF EXAMPLE - There is authority or might in example. This ought to make us mindful of what we do and what we say while we are here. Paul wrote, “Not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.” (2 Thess. 3:9) Elders are to be examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:3) Think of what power is yielded by the example of an elder. They should be the exemplification of what Christianity is all about. Young people also can present a powerful influence for good in this society. (1 Tim. 4:12)     POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD - It can ward off Satan and all that is evil. (Eph. 6:10) It is living and powerful. (Heb. 4:12) It is the sword of the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 6:17) The gospel is powerful. (Rom.1:16) Terry Anderson, the last American hostage to be released after seven years of captivity in Lebanon, said, “Over the years, I found consolation and comfort in the Bible I was given in the first few weeks. I read the Bible more than fifty times cover to cover in those first few years.”     POWER OF HOPE. What is hope? J.D. Douglas in the New Bible Dictionary says that hope means believing that God is blessing us now and will continue to do so. Martin Luther said, “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” Hope can motivate us. It can get us through great difficulties. (Jer. 29:11) Hope can carry us towards our goals. Hope sustains us when all else fails. Best hope is in God. (Psa. 31:) Plug into the power Jesus talked about in John 1:12. Be humbly confident that with God’s help, nothing need defeat you. Refuse to be discouraged. Trust in God. There are always opportunities for Gods’ power to work in us. Let us put our hope and confidence in God, and He will sustain us and lift us up.

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/