My Own Belief Will Unleash the Power of God

In review of Matthew 19:26 it says, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

Bottom Line:

In our own power we can do nothing, but with God everything is possible.

What this means to me:

On my own power I can do nothing, but with God all things are possible.

This verse reminds me that everything is possible with God. “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Matthew 19:26 NIV). Jesus also said, “According to your faith let it be done to you” (Matthew 9:29).

Lots of scriptures tell me that God wants to use me. That He wants to bless me and do amazing things in my life. He wants me to be a world changer. But he’s waiting for me to trust him first. I need to stop saying, “I can’t” because all things are possible with God.

Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (TLB). Ultimately God knows I have enormous potential, far beyond what I could ever imagine. God wants to use me, and according to my faith it will be done.

The opposition to my faith is my own unbelief. I’m the biggest problem in my life to being used. While there are a lot of things I don’t have any control over, I can choose to believe God. It’s ultimately my choice. In order to have God to do big things in life, I need to start believing.

In summary, on my own power I can do nothing, but with God all things are possible. God I thank you for this reminder this morning that through you everything in possible. Through you I can do amazing things, but I need to put my trust in your first and not give in to my own unbelief.  One area in my life that I have struggled with is getting to know new people and openly share my faith. I need to get over my own unbelief and uncomfortableness and honestly believe that God can use me. I can use what I learned last week in that part of my faith is thanking God in advance for making it true and happening in my life.

Learning That The Great Commission Is Not Just A Suggestion

In review of Matthew 28:18-20 it says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Bottom Line:

Jesus has the authority and commanded us to make disciples, baptize them, teach them all he has commanded us. He said will be with as we do this.

What this means to me:

Jesus has the authority and has commissioned me to make disciples of all nations / people groups, to baptize them, and to teach them everything he has commanded me. He promises to be there with me as I do this.

What I know so far is that the world (everyone) needs Jesus.

Jesus said this very clearly over and over, but in Matthew 28:18-20 he gives me the Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (NIV).

What is my assignment? As I “go”, (living out my daily life), I am to do this. “Go” is this expression is an action word and not just a suggestion, meaning that it’s not optional. I am a child of God, and he expects me to go and share who he is all about with others.

What’s the task? Go and make disciples. A disciple is someone who does the five things we were put on Earth to do: 1). to know and love God, 2). to grow into spiritual maturity, 3). to serve God with my shape through ministry, 4). to share the Good News, and 5). to worship God with all my heart.

What’s my authority? It’s not some government or the CIA. It’s Jesus.

What is my responsibility? Make disciples all nations. There is no nation or people-group that is off-limits.

What does it mean for me? If the whole world needs Jesus, then I must share the Good News. To keep it a secret would be criminal. If I knew the cure for Alzheimer’s or AIDS or cancer and I didn’t share it, that would be criminal. But I have something even better than a cure for disease. I know the cure for the human heart and the deepest needs of mankind. They need a Savior. They need forgiveness. They need their past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in Heaven. I should not hold it back. I need to share it.

John 3:17 says, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

For me to be like Jesus, I need to stop judging the world and being so critical. I just need to get busy sharing the Good News.

In summary, Jesus has the authority and has commissioned me to make disciples of all nations / people groups, baptize them, and to teach them everything he has commanded us. He promises to be there with me as I do this. So today, I see God that you have chosen to accomplish your will through me, making me part of what you are doing. I thank you for giving me such a privilege. In my own life, For some reason sharing my faith with non-believers is not something I do on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, I don’t usually reach out and initiate relationships of any kind. I think I combat a feeling that someone will think I’m strange or not care for me.  But my reality is that I have been personally saved by Jesus for my waywardness and sin. God has done so much to save myself and others. He does not want anyone to perish. While God could do some spectacular things to draw people's attention to him, he chooses not to. Instead he want so use me and my life as an example to others. I should probably remind myself that my neighbors, co-workers and casual acquaintances may feel perturbed if they knew I had the secret to eternal life, but chose not to share it with them. I should also remember and keep in mind that Jesus has promised to be with me as I share. Given this, I should learn to never be scared to share the Good News with others. I can also use the money he provides me to help fund those who are on mission around the country to share the Gospel.  

A Place Where I Can Learn To Love

In review of Matthew 16:18b it says, “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”

Bottom Line:

Jesus builds the church and the powers of death or hell will not be able to overcome it.

What this means to me:

What Jesus has built, the church, will stand forever. Neither death nor hell will be able to conquer it or kill it.

This means that only the Church will last forever. Nothing else is going to last. No business, government or nation will last forever.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:18b, “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (NLT). The Church is the most magnificent idea God or any human being ever thought up.

The entire universe was created for God’s family and God’s family is called the Church.

Rick Warren reminds us that “The Church is not a building. The Church is the family of God. God wanted a family, so he decided to create the entire universe just so he could create Earth just so he could create human beings just so we could have the free choice to choose or reject him. He knew that some of us would choose to love him back, and he’s going to take us to Heaven to be part of his family forever.”

What does this mean since I'm already in God’s family? It means that since we’re all going to live together forever, I better learn to get along. While I'm here on Earth, you must love the family of God.

In addition to loving God, I must also love his Church. God loves the church so much, He died for it. Someone who says, “I love Jesus, but I don’t need the Church” doesn’t get it. That person is an immature believer. A lot of people use the Church but don’t love it.

The key for me is will I love the Church or just use it? Christ died for it. Therefor I must learn to love every believer in the Body of Christ.

In summary, Jesus builds the church. Because of this, neither the powers of death nor hell itself will not be able to overcome it. His Church will not be conquered. God I thank you for providing a safe place for me to learn how to love. What I’m learning is that the church, his family on earth, is the institution that he created that will last forever, it can not be defeated or dissolved. God loves it and I too need to learn to love those who are part of it. It's the safest place for me to learn to love others. What I need to consider is if I use it or be part of it and learn along with it. So far I have decided to invest into the local church in my community, offering to serve in different capacities. However, today I will consider if there are those that I tend to stay away from. I should consider how I can open my heart towards them.

Learning That It’s All About God

In review of Romans 11:36 it says, “For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory. To him be glory evermore.”

Bottom Line:

Everything comes from the Lord. All things live because of him and exist for his glory.

What this means to me:

God is the source of everything around me (seen and unseen). Everything lives by his power and exists to bring him glory.

So given this I can see that it’s not about me.

Life is not about profit or politics or anything else. It’s all about God. The first sentence in Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life” says “It’s not about you.” And the title of the first chapter is “It’s All About God.” These two go together. It’s not about me, rather it is all about God.

Until I understand that, life will never really make sense. The goal of life should not be about myself; my pleasures, my possessions, my prestige, my power, or my popularity. In fact, it’s not anything that the world values. The goal of my life should be to bring glory to God.

Romans 11:36 says, “For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory” (TLB). This means that everything on the world and in the universe was created for God’s glory.

The implication of this is that loving and following God should be my first priority. Jesus said it like this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).

So the most important thing in life is to get to know and love the God who created me.

In summary, I need to remember that God is the source of everything. Everything lives by his power and exists to bring him glory, it's all about and for him. This morning God, I take a few moments and reflect on the fact that it’s all about you. Thank you for creating me to be part of your world and your glory. You have created me for a relationship with you and to partner with you in doing your will. This morning, I am especially reminded that it's all about your will and what you want done here on earth. It's all about establishing your kingdom and using my life to help make you known, so that everyone on earth can come to know and have a personal relationship with you. Furthermore I am to be and example for them and teach them what you have taught me. To do this I need to look for how I can relate to and impact the lives of those around me.

How I Should Respond To Hope

In review of Ephesians 4:1 it says, “Live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen for such wonderful blessings as these.”

Bottom Line:

Live in a way worthy of someone who was chosen for wonderful blessings.

What this means to me:

I am to live my and act out my life in a way that is worthy as one who had been chosen by God for wonderful blessings.

What I know from scriptures is that God will never stop loving me and nothing can destroy my relationship with him.  Romans 8:38-39 says, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are — high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean — nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us” (TLB).

This means that I’m eternally secure. Once I was born into a family, I can’t be unborn out of it. Once I’m born again, I can’t be unborn out of the family of God. Once my name is written in the eternal book of life, it can’t be erased. It’s indelible ink. It doesn’t matter how many doubts or fears I might have or how many sins I commit. If I put my trust in Christ, he says that nothing will separate me from his love. No matter what I face in life, I will never face it alone.

This is the Good News: I’m forgiven, and free. God is for me, and he’s never going to stop loving me.

Given this, what should my response be? “Live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen for such wonderful blessings as these” (Ephesians 4:1).

In summary, because I belong to God, I am to live out my life in way that is worthy of the special privilege of being part of his family brings. God I thank you this morning for calling me to be part of your family and your blessings. To order for me live in a way that’s worthy, I need to always be hopeful and be able to share that hope with others. Our new church has been talking more about us “finding the pain” in those around us (those 8-15 people that surround us) and to “be the and offer the hope of Christ” to them.  I need to live each day with the gratefulness of the blessings he gives me; now and in eternity.  I should be willing to get to know others more personally and I they reveal pain in their own lives, help them by showing the hope that I have.

I am to live in a way that’s worthy. Live with hope, and share that hope with others.

Faith Is Thanking God in Advance

In review of Mark 11:24 it says "When you pray and you ask for something, believe that you have received it and you will be given what you asked for.”
 

Bottom Line:

What you ask for in prayer, God will provide if you have faith.

What this means to me:

When I pray and ask God for something, I should believe and have faith that God will respond and provide to me what I need.

Today I’m learning that having faith also requires thanking God in advance. Jesus said, “When you pray and you ask for something, believe that you have received it and you will be given what you asked for” (Mark 11:24 TEV).

Thanking God after you get something, that’s gratitude. However, when I thank him in advance, it's  part of my faith.

If someone handed me a check for a thousand dollars, I wouldn’t wait until I cashed it to thank them. I’d thank them right now. But the thousand dollars wouldn’t really be mine until I actually cashed it, because that check is really a promise. When I received the check, I thanked that person who gave it to me, believing that the person was credible and had enough money in the bank to cover that check. So part of my faith is thanking God in advance for what he is about to provide m.

Jesus said, “According to your faith let it be done to you” (Matthew 9:29b NIV).

In summary, when I pray and ask God for something, I should believe and have faith that God will respond and provide to me what I need. This morning I thank you God, for I can’t believe how much you want to provide when I ask. I don’t think this verse is suggesting that I have a simple ordering system; pray, believe and receive. God knows what is best for me, and will willingly provide to me, but he want’s my heart and desires in the right place. I cannot simply ask for my own selfishness. I should be asking in line with his will for me and to benefit those he brings into my life.  I do need to remember that part of my faith is thanking God in advance for what he will do and provide to me. I need to truly believe that God will provide what I ask for in line with his will.

Learning To Develop a Habit That Produces Godliness

In review of Hebrews 11:27 it says, “It was faith that made Moses leave Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger. As though he saw the invisible God, he refused to turn back.”

Bottom Line:

It was faith that allowed Moses to take action without fear. He kept on going because he kept his eye on the invisible God.

What this means to me:

It will be my faith that will allow me to move forward without fear. I can keep on going as long as I keep my eye on God.

The difference between successfulness and unsuccessfulness is the willingness to do what an unsuccessful person doesn’t feel like doing.

Honestly, I can think of times when I would rather be selfish than unselfish. I’d rather just sit on the couch and watch TV. However, just because I don’t feel like it, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it.

Doing the right thing requires that I develop a habits and stay committed. As an example, wouldn’t get to the Olympics just because I feel like it. Rather, I would get to the Olympics by hours and hours of training that I didn’t feel like doing. Likewise, I wouldn’t get to become a master musician without hours and hours of rehearsal that I probably didn’t feel like doing at the time.

In the same way, I won’t become a godly man by simply doing what I feel like doing. A godly man will choose to develop the habits that produce godliness in life. Of course this won’t be any easier than working out or dieting or rehearsing or anything else that may be good for me but I don’t feel like doing.

I’m learning that in order for me to develop this kind of persistence I should not look at my problem but at the Lord. One of the greatest examples of this is in the Bible of persistence is Moses. For 40 years, he led a group of crying, squabbling, complaining babies around the desert while they questioned his leadership the entire time. Yet he never gave up.

Hebrews 11:27a says, “It was faith that made Moses leave Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger. As though he saw the invisible God, he refused to turn back” (TEV). Moses “saw the invisible God.” He kept his eyes on God.

So I am to keep my eyes on God. If I focus on my problem, I’m going to be distressed and depressed. If I focus on God, I’m going to be at rest.

In summary, it will be my faith that will allow me to move forward without fear. I can keep on going, regardless of the circumstances, as long as I keep my eye on God. Today God you remind me that all I need to do is focus on you and what you tell me. I can move ahead without fear in what you say and promise. You will take care of what’s needed. I need to get over my own laziness and become committed. In faith I can do whatever God has asked me to do. I should not look at my problem but rather keep my eyes fixed on God and what he says or has promised.