IS YOUR POWER CORD UNPLUGGED?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very
purpose, that I might display My power in you and that My name
might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore, God has mercy
on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants
to harden.
(Romans 9:17-18)

MEDITATION:
Remember when you were a kid how you pretended you were a super hero.
In your mind, there were situations where others were in trouble and needed
your help. They couldn’t fight the ‘bad guys’ on their own, but you would show
up ‘just in time’ to rescue them.

You had the power to defeat the bad guys. Sometimes you had super powers
and bullets would bounce off you. Sometimes you even had the power to fly
and lift heavy objects as if they were nothing. At other times, your power
consisted of a fast and accurate gun, knife, whip, or bow and arrow.

No matter how many bad guys there were, or how bad the situation was,
you had the power needed to save the good people from their peril. Even
though this was played out in your mind, you felt great knowing that you
had the power to rescue those in need, didn’t it?

In the reality of life, we have a Rescuer with the power to save us. He also
has the power to do whatever He chooses, in order for us to see and know
of His power. Since He made us, He has the power to mold us, as He sees
fit for His purposes.

God has an indisputable right to reject those who will not accept his
blessings on His terms. He exercised His right with Pharaoh. After
many instances of stubbornness and rebellion, we read in scripture
that, God said,
    “I raised you up for this very purpose…”

In other words,
    “Unless you repent, this will be the consequence of
      My raising you up and making you a great king”.
Since Pharoah did not repent, he and his kingdom experienced
the power of God’s judgments.

When the people saw His power displayed, His name was proclaimed in all
the earth (as it is today). God showed the magnitude of His power. He showed
His power over the rivers, the insects and other animals, the meteors, the air,
and the sun.

God also displayed His power over man-made gods, life and death, and
power over unrepentant rulers. Pharoah thought he had total control
over the Israelites, but God showed His power and forced Pharoah to
relinquish his control and persecution of God’s people; He rescued His people.

God continues to display His power in our world today. For example, He has
equipped His children with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is
our ‘Power Ranger’ who gives us the strength we need for resisting Satan’s
temptations, and for serving God in whatever capacity He has chosen for us.

In order for us to use the power of electricity, we have to plug in the cord
for the device we are using. It is the same concept when using the power
of the Holy Spirit – we need to ‘plug Him in’. Unfortunately, some seem
to be leaving the cord unplugged and are missing out on His power.

What is the result of this loss of power? In increasing numbers, professing
believers start pursuing their own selfish desires and replacing worshipping
God with various other things. Corporate worship is shrinking and some
have abandoned worship of any kind (including prayer and reading God’s
Word). Some of God’s people are ‘unplugging’ from His power source and
are ‘plugging into’ the world.

Consequently, the power of the world has replaced the power of the Holy
Spirit in the lives of some followers of Jesus. When that happens, the ways
of the world can cause us to become bored and less interested in anything
pertaining to God. We can read about how this happened in the days of
Noah and we can see it happening in our world today.

When the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come,
He replied,
    “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also
      will it be in the days of the Son of Man.”
      (Luke 17:26)
There are many similarities of our world and the “days of Noah”.

ACTION:
Where is your power cord plugged in? Is the power of the Holy Spirit
flowing through you so that God’s name is proclaimed? How would
you say the Holy Spirit is in control of your life? Can you identify any
specific areas where your life has been changed (words, actions, focus,
habit, attitudes, etc.)? Have you discovered the spiritual gift God gave
you with salvation? How are you using His spiritual gift you received?

What a privilege to have God’s Spirit dwelling in your heart.
Do you recognize His power and love throughout your day?
He longs to comfort, enable, and guide you every moment.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, purge me of all unrighteousness and fill
me with the Holy Spirit. Teach me how to surrender my life
to the control of Your Spirit. Give me a desire to discover
the spiritual gift You have given me, and guide me in using
it to fulfill Your plan for me. Help me to anticipate and embrace
the blessings You have for me when I am plugged into the Holy
Spirit You have given me. Create in me, a heart for serving You
and pointing others to Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for loving
and forgiving me; sanctify me so I will be useable by You, and
I will love You more each day.”

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