Just as God’s power came upon Moses (Isa. 63:12), David (1 Sam. 16:3), Elijah (1 Kings 18:46), and others to do His bidding, so He will empower us to serve in ways that make a difference for eternity. Jesus, in promising the Holy Spirit, said that the disciples would be “clothed with power from on high” (Lk. 24:49).
Ministry Empowerment Comes by Serving in the Power of an Almighty God
Nothing is too hard for God (Jer. 32:17; Lk. 1:37; 18:27). His power is not just great but incomparably great (Eph. 1:19).
The power with which God created the heavens and the earth, parted the Red Sea, and raised Jesus from the dead is available for the everyday moments of our lives, enabling us to serve (Eph. 3:7), to fight spiritual battles (Eph. 6:10), and to witness (Acts 1:8). This power will embolden us (2 Tim. 1:7) and be a source of hope (Rom. 15:13).
Let’s look to God as God He is … the Almighty One!
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We will serve in the power of our almighty God when we do ministry His way — pulling on Him for empowerment but also aligning with Him, looking for the kind of effectiveness He wants, focusing on what’s most important to Him, having His perspective about our methodology, aiming toward objectives that matter to God, looking to Him as our Source and Sustainer in order to persevere, having heart qualities pleasing to Him, and being a team player willing to serve in unity according to God’s design. — Check out the Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool for this broad view of ministry.
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Learn more about God’s power and the responsibility of church leaders to encourage people to serve in the power of an Almighty God, not to strive to do it in their own wisdom and strength, in the Steering the Church Toward God’s Power Leadership Guide
Yes, IT IS SO TRUE that if we receive a thorn to make us suffer, we are made stronger!!! I believe I have received a thorn that God sent from the Devil! Through this suffering I have grown and the Devil has caused me to forget to pray for our food to be blessed. This is such a simple thing and important to remember! But as I was reading the Bible tonight I read about to always thank God for everything and one was our food! In Matthew 6:9 it says to thank the Lord for our daily bread. It just came into my head and I immediately stopped reading and asked Jesus to forgive me and prayed for my food! Being by myself after my wife died with cancer tends to help the Devil sidetrack me. This is probably another thing that is another suffering that I have to make me strong. This is another suffering that I understand now helps me to be strong! Praise God for all He has given me!!! In Jesus Christ Leonard!
2 Peter 1:3 says “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him…” Notice the word “everything” in that verse. He gives us power to stand strong in Him against the Devil and his schemes. He gives us power when we are weak. He gives us power as we journey through loss. Indeed, Leonard, Praise GOD!
Power: Dunamis: Miracle Power. Christ, Himself the Miracle Worker. Can do.
Power: Exousia: God given authority from God the Author of All Authority.
Megalotis: Our Great God.
Kratos: Vigor, Energy, Enduring Strength. The Strong One.
Omnipotence: Almighty. Almighty God. Sovereign God. Trinity.
Looking at the words used in the original Greek for ‘power’ certainly can increase our understanding and give us a better idea of God’s intent in a given passage about His power. It is even more important for us to know the Source of that power — our Mega (great) God who alone is omnipotent (all powerful)!