Persevering With Power

     I know what you’re thinking. What is up with this week’s blog, Judy? Glory in suffering, pure joy in trials, be anxious for nothing. Are you serious? And I would have to say, “Yes!” All of this is impossible on our own. We will continue to be God’s work in progress, but, hopefully, we ARE making progress.  How do we make progress in maturing in our faith? The only way is to persevere in our quest to know Jesus more intimately and to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.

     Did you know that if you are a believer in Jesus as Savior you have supernatural power? God’s power is supernatural. He will turn your world upside down and inside out. Our hearts expand and our pride begins to crumble, as we recognize the truth. We are nothing without Him.

     His power transforms, enlightens and moves us in ways unrecognizable to our prior selves.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 1:18-20

     These are powerful verses. Take them in. Open the eyes of your heart to the hope of Christ. He has given us the same resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead!  It is not about us. It’s about Him. The Holy Spirit lives in us to do God’s work. I hope that brings about a heart change for you, along with power to withstand whatever comes against you. The Spirit gives us power to change situations through prayer, to bring peace to turmoil, to bring forgiveness when it seems impossible, to show mercy when it is not deserved, to show kindness in place of anger. The power within you is the strongest power on earth. And it is stronger than the evil in the world. Only Jesus brings the change, with His resurrection power, the light in the darkness, the light of the world.

Dear Father in Heaven,

You raised Your Son from the dead. After His ascension, the Holy Spirit came to live in these temporary bodies until we are reunited with Him in heaven. Show us Your power. Humble us under Your guidance until we can feel the endless peace and joy in the heavenly realms.

Amen