By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Time For Power

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

Words are an amazing gift God has given people. We are able to let others know about ourselves, give direction, provide empathy as well as many other ways of expression. As wonderful as words are, we are also called to act.

“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.”
1 Corinthians 4:20 ESV

This verse really impacted me when I read it. The power of God in His kingdom is not expressed in words but in power.

“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” John 13:17 ESV

Jesus is letting us know that if we know things in our head, the action of doing those things will bless us.

“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” James 1:25 ESV

The action piece of faith is not out of our own flesh, though, it is prompted by the Holy Spirit in us.

 ^“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV

Power is given to all believers that have the Holy Spirit in them to do miraculous things on Earth, displaying the glory of God.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 ESV

Relegating God to the words we say or hear is decreasing our capacity for the power the Trinity desires to pour out on us. The next piece of action is our humbleness and humility to carry out what God has called us to do. Stay close to God, to Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit to receive power and direction to bring heaven to earth. The call to action is so people can taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).

*Photo credit: Maggie Williams

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado