Useful Power

On the television show, Home Improvement, Tim’s favorite phrase was more power. He was constantly modifying tools and kitchen appliances to add power. However, his designs were always flawed and created some kind of new disaster in their use. Sometimes, we feel powerless to do the things that we know we should do. Where can we find the strength or power to do the good that we want to do?

Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” Within ourselves, we do not possess the power to produce good and righteousness. However, God promises to give us this power and strength to do the good and righteousness that we desire and even far beyond our desires and imagination.

Love Songs

Through the ages, love songs proclaim the virtues of neverending love. Grooms and Brides declare their intentions to love each other forever before congregations of friends and family. Eternal love is a quality that we all seek to give as well as receive.

Ephesians 6:24 says, “Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.” Since God’s love for us is imperishable and indestructible, we should return the same type of love to Him. We can expect God’s grace to enable this kind of love within us.

Strength and Presence

There may be some things in life that we would like to do continually. Eating comes to mind. But eating continually causes other problems and soon becomes uncomfortable. Sleeping also comes to my mind. But I would miss out on so many wonderful things, like being with my family, if I were to try to sleep continually. I could watch baseball for a long time, but eventually I get bored and want to do something else. Though these things, and others, can bring us short-term satisfaction, they don’t seem to benefit us if we try to do them continually.

I Chronicles 16:11 says, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.” We are encouraged to seek God’s presence constantly, without interruption. He has promised to never leave us and His strength is always available to us. Seeking God’s presence continually and regularly draws upon the promises He has made to us.

God Given Wisdom

Every day, we are faced with a myriad of decisions. Most of these choices are mundane, like what we will have for breakfast or whether we should turn right or go straight at the next intersection. But some of our decisions have lifelong consequences, like should we marry or perhaps should we take this job opportunity. Where can we go to find reliable wisdom to make good decisions?

James 1:5-6 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” Our lives change for the better when we submit our many daily decisions to God’s wisdom. However, we must believe that God hears us and will give us the wisdom that we need.

Leadership Seminar

For three years, the twelve disciples followed Jesus everywhere. All that time, Jesus was conducting a leadership seminar for the disciples. He told them that to be great, they must first become a servant. All the time, He demonstrated His servant leadership by healing the sick, feeding the poor, comforting those who were hurting, and welcoming everyone into His presence. At the end of His life, Jesus took this servant leadership principle even further by washing the disciples’ feet at the time of His greatest suffering.

John 12:26 says, “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” The world encourages us to become leaders and to have others serve us. Jesus says that true leadership begins with serving Him and others. Effective leadership comes by faithfully following Jesus. The Father will honor us when we adhere to these leadership principles.