Power UP!

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Power Of Relationship

Key Scripture: “My beloved ones, don’t ever limit your joy or fail to rejoice in the wonderful experience of knowing our Lord Jesus!” Philippians 3:1, TPT

Power Point:

There's a huge difference between an obedient relationship and an abiding relationship. When we are focused totally on obedience to someone without having a relationship with them, we become slaves to performance. In the Old Testament, the Children of Israel were perfect examples of that. In Egypt they were slaves to Pharaoh. They were at his beck and call every moment of every day. They had no freedom to make any decisions concerning their lives.

When God set them free, they continued the mindset of obedience without relationship. They simply switched the focus of their obedience..

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul is the perfect example for us of a "bondslave". When he began to realize who Jesus really was, and that the most important thing in the world to God was a relationship with him, he willingly entered into a vital growing, and glowing relationship with Him.

Obedience is important. Relationship is more important. There is no place in the Christian life for slavery but there is a wide open space for bondslaves who have fallen in love with God and who want nothing more than to be in a deepening relationship with Him. Paul says it beautifully in Ephesians 3. He exhorts us to be rooted and grounded in love.

The word for "love" in this passage is "Agape Love". In other places that love is described as Perfect Love-God's love for us. Here is the definition from the New Spirit Filled Bible:

"Agape love denotes an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable good will that always seeks the highest good of the other person, no matter what he does. It is the self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return, and does not consider the worth of its object."

In other words, no one can talk God out of loving you. No one can talk God out of being good to you. You cannot convince God that He shouldn't love you, no matter how hard you try.

This love is the reason we can have faith. This perfect love is the engine for any power in our lives.

All that He is is for you. All that He has is for you. He's not concerned with how much you do for Him, He's more delighted when what you do is a response to the loving relationship that you have with Him. Obedience becomes a joy because you love Him. Jesus didn't say, "if you obey Him, He will do whatever you ask. He said, "If you ABIDE in HIm."

How would your day be different if you spent each moment dwelling on that Perfect Love that God has for you? You wouldn't fear anything would you? You wouldn't plan on a hopeless future. You wouldn't worry about tomorrow because God has promised to love you through all your tomorrows. His generous, kind, and perfectly loving heart holds your every dream, your every need, and He does not intend to stop until you have the deep desires of your heart.

Can you trust that Perfect Love? No one can understand it, but we can grow in trusting it can't we? That's why we can be fearless. The Bride of Christ does not have a prenuptial agreement with God. He's never going to try to get out of relationship with you. There are no conditions on His love. His heart loves you with every fiber of its being. His mind is always thinking of ways to show you that. He is seeking to dig deeper wells in your heart for His love.

This is from Graham Cooke:

"When we focus on relationship, both Presence and purpose are highlighted and we are empowered by the outcome. We see the end from the beginning and our hearts become fixed."

Beloved, fix your heart on the undefeatable benevolence and the unconquerable good will that God has planned for you.

Power Declaration:

Today I will fix my heart and mind on the perfectly loving heart and mind of God demonstrated to me in Christ. I will pour myself into a deeply abiding relationship in the love that He has poured out to me. Today I will expect to see the undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable good will of God that is always working His goodness into my life.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Power Of Fasting From Wrong Thinking!

From time to time I like to share something that really blesses me. This is a devotional from Gregory Dickow. The title is "Fasting From Wrong Thinking". Every one is a treasure.
Today seemed a perfect fit for all you readers who want to "Power UP!"
Enjoy and apply!

Day 82 - "I Feel Helpless."

Good morning Suzanne Roberts,

Today we are fasting from the thought that says, "I feel helpless."

The feeling of helplessness comes from a sense of powerlessness. The enemy would love for you to think you are powerless, which will make you feel helpless.

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. You're sitting on a power keg! God has GIVEN you POWER, love, and a sound mind!
(2 Timothy 1:7) It's in you! You don't earn power; it's a gift.

2. Start your day by doing inventory. Philemon verse 6 says to: "acknowledge EVERY good thing already in you, in Christ." List what you DO have. It frees you from worrying about what you DON'T have.

3. Remember whose image you are made in! God made you in His image, then He said: TAKE DOMINION! (Genesis 1:26–28) Not only do you have the power, but you have a mandate from God to use it and to reign in this life.

4. Release your power through forgiveness. Knowing you're forgiven and then FORGIVING people is a FORCE that releases amazing power and freedom in your life. If there's no one to forgive, find someone who needs forgiveness and tell them about Jesus' forgiveness!

5. Look outward, not inward today. See the world as needing YOUR help. As you help someone else, you will not only feel empowered, but you will also reap help as you sow help. (Galatians 6:7)

THINK IT AND SAY IT
I am free from feeling helpless. I have the power of God. He has given me power, love, and a sound mind. I am made to take dominion over my life. I will not be dominated by life, not for another second. I release the power of forgiveness over my life and others, and I expect supernatural help to show up in my life today, in Jesus’ Name!

In God's great love,

Gregory Dickow

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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Power Of Truth

Key Scripture: "What is impossible with man is possible with God." Matthew 1:26

Power Point:

Have you ever approached God with a problem? Of course you have! Have you ever had a conversation with Him with this result?

“Um God, I've got this HUGE problem."

"Wow Son, you're right. That one's a doozy! I wish I could help you with that. Sorry. It looks pretty impossible to me! Let me ask around and see if I can find someone who can help you. But don't worry I'm sure you will work it out. You're very smart."

"Well, I'm not sure about that. Are You sure You can't help me? "

"I'd really like to, but like I said, "this one is too big even for ME!"

It sounds really silly in black and white doesn't it? But isn't that how we often approach the Creator of the Universe, the Savior of the World, and the Wisest, the most Powerful Person EVER? Isn't it possible that we should focus on The Person I described in the last sentence instead of the one Satan would like to describe to us?

Every time we think, “That's impossible" we are believing a lie.

Every time we think, "God won't help me here. I've made too many wrong choices" we are believing a lie.

Every time we think "My problem is too insignificant to God. He's got more important things to do, guess what! We are believing a lie. Those are the thoughts we have to take captive and clear out of our minds. The Father of Lies is very good at what he does isn't he? However, Holy Spirit is also very good at replacing the lies with truth.

Let's try a dose of Truth Serum:

With God all things, each and every thing, is a distinct possibility. Luke 1:37

"If you have faith (in God), as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here and it will move, and nothing, (not a single thing), shall be impossible to YOU!"

"Your heavenly Father knows what you need. When you seek Him first, ALL THINGS will be added to you. ( God will add to what you already possess.)He will increase what you have.)

"ASK, and it will be given to you, SEEK, and you will find what you seek. KNOCK and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

So do you need provision in any area today? Do you need comfort? He can help you with that! He is the Comforter.

Do you need physical healing? He can help you with that. He is the Healer of each and every disease.

Do you need encouragement? He can help you with that! He absolutely LOVES to encourage us!)

Do you need more faith? He's already working on that! He's written the Book on it!

Your life is no surprise to God Beloved. He's not scratching His head and thinking, "Oh NO! What are we going to do?" He's got a plan. He's got a way out. He’s got a great heart of love for you.

What seems impossible to you is never impossible to God.

Power Declaration:

Each and every thing in my life is filled with potential and promise. God is making my circumstance a good thing on the way!

I will remember that "this" thing is one of the "all things", God has promised to bless for me.

God is my Father; He cares about me and He cares about every situation that I face.

God is my Strength. I can do all things through His strength in me.

God is my Delight. I see Him everywhere and know that in the middle of all the things coming against me, I can take great joy in His nature, His promises, and His delight in me.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Power Of The Cross

Key Scripture: "The yoke will be destroyed because of the Anointing.” Isaiah 10:27

“But the Anointing which you have received…” from Him abides in you." 1 John 2:27

Power Point:

Here we are at one of the most incredible seasons of the year. Easter has arrived in all its glorious splendor. I don't think it’s an accident that Easter is in the spring where new life is sprouting up all around us.

Today, I'd like to give you a little different picture of Easter. In churches around the world the cross will be honored, as it should be. The important thing for us to remember is that Jesus didn't stay on the cross. He moved on. The cross was never supposed to be the end of His journey. It was always intended to be the beginning of a new beginning.

If you read through the last few meetings of Jesus with His disciples, His emphasis is on the Holy Spirit. He tells His disciples that, “It is to your advantage that I leave because if I don’t leave the Helper, (the Holy Spirit), will not come. When I go, I will send Him to you.” He's the one who will remind you of what I've told you and empower you to do even greater things than you've seen me do. He will offer you peace that passes all understanding, in addition to joy, love, faithfulness, patience, goodness, kindness and gentleness that you never imagined could exist." (Suzanne Translation)

When Jesus held out His hands and feet for the soldiers to hammer in the nails He knew what He was doing. No one had to hold Him down. He knew what it would cost, but He looked beyond the pain, and the shame, and the confusion of those moments-moments that were so few in light of forever. He would fill us and fill all things with hope. He thought about our reaction to His peace in our lives. His heart was filled with the joy of the possibilities that lay ahead for us, for those who received what He died to give us.

The sorrow of the cross turned quickly into joy. Imagine what it must have been like for Him to surprise all His friends! Just think about the joyous reunion in heaven with His Father, Holy Spirit, and all the angels. We read in scripture that heaven rejoices when one sinner comes to Jesus-imagine the celebration on that glorious day when Jesus returned home.

Everything about God is beyond our understanding Beloved. That's why He sent His Holy Spirit to shine His revelation light on the character of our God and on what it means for each of us individually.

The Anointing of Holy Spirit, our gift as a result of the cross, breaks the yoke of fear and discouragement and empowers us to do what we have been called to do. The Anointing encourages us in the direst of circumstances. The Anointing reveals the incredible loving heart of a God who sees everything, and cares about everything. The Anointing brings Jesus into all of our circumstances. The Anointing will break every chain, destroy the power of evil, and send each of out to bring His goodness to the world. The Anointing of the Holy Spirit allows Jesus to fill all the things in your life.

The cross and the journey to the cross, make me cry at times. And yet, I've learned that I can't stay at the cross. Jesus told us to RECEIVE the Holy Spirit. Why? That's His chosen method of continuing to bring heaven to earth through us. Because of His Holy Spirit, we can do greater works. Because of Him we can be greater than the one who is in the world.

Because of Holy Spirit, we can have greater peace, greater joy, and greater power-far beyond what we can see or understand without Him.

You don't want to be without Him, my friend. You want Him to fill all the things in your life don't you? Jesus was raised by the power of this precious Holy Spirit and your life can be raised to new levels by Him as well.

Look beyond the cross to the life promised us by Jesus according to the power that works within us. That power is the Holy Spirit in all of His glory.

Today can be your own personal Resurrection day. Have you received the Holy Spirit?

Power Declaration:

I will not stay at the foot of the cross. I am moving ahead with joy, to the joy Jesus has set before me. By the power of His Spirit, I will determinedly pursue Him and learn what is beyond my understanding of Him. Because I can. Because He wants me to. And because I'm absolutely fascinated by Him.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Power Of Teamwork

Key Scripture: "I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory prize through the anointing of Jesus." Philippians 3:14 TPT

Power Point:

Recently, I was praying for a lady who exuded depression and sadness. It was obvious that she was sad, sad, sad. She had had a bad week. Family relationships were getting her down.

As we waited and asked Holy Spirit to come and guide our prayers, He gave me three questions to ask her.

Who are you?

Who is your God?

Whose team are you on?

When I asked her who she was she looked a bit surprised and then said, "I guess I'm a child of God. (No expression). I probed a bit deeper. "Who ELSE are you?"

"I'm a daughter of the King. I'm chosen." (No expression and not the tiniest bit of excitement.) Her countenance never changed.

Second question: Who is your God?

Well, He's the creator of the universe. He loves me.

She could have been reading the phone book.

You know me- I probed again. "Well, what about being your Savior, your peace and joy, and having access to all His goodness?

She simply nodded.

Now I was getting depressed.

Question Three:

Whose team are you on?

This came as a result of her saying that she just wanted to get back on "the team". So God was asking her, "Which team are you on?"

He showed me a scene of a youth football team. It's close to the end of the game and the Quarterback hands off the ball to the receiver. In his excitement, the young player starts running the opposite direction of his goal, and heads straight toward the opposing team's goal. Of course, everybody in the stands is screaming and shouting at him, but he thinks they are praising his prowess. All the while he's going in the wrong direction. He caught the ball. He's running hard. But he's running toward the wrong goal.

These questions are good for each one of us aren't they? God has passed us a spiritual "ball” of His power, His strength, His goodness, His love and His joy. Beloved, if we do not “receive” or take possession of who we are and Who God is for us, we will be headed toward the wrong goal. We will be making goals for the opposing team.

If you're not "carrying the ball" of the fruit of His Spirit, you're headed in the wrong direction. If you're not running with Love Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control-you'll never achieve God's goal of being like Jesus.

If you're not carrying the ball of His power toward you, His heart toward you and applying the knowledge of who you really are-you'll never score.

If you're not carrying the ball of knowing Who God says He is and What He says He will do, then you'll never defeat the opposition.

If you don't take possession of what He's given you, you're playing for the wrong team. It's time to turn around and fix your eye on the right goal.

Who are you?

Who is your God?

Whose Team are you on?

Powerful Declaration:

Jesus turned my life around. I am not a victim of my circumstances anymore. I am a child of God! I am the person He chose to be with for all eternity. He is the most awesome God and His Spirit and His Words to me continue to turn my life around. Today I will receive and take possession of all that He's given me and fix my eyes on the goal He's set for me. I will score for the Right Team today.