Power Failures - From His Heart - Week of June 3, 2016
POWER FAILURES
"And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:49
When I was in high school, I had a 1974 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 455 cubic inch engine. That car could get down the road in a hurry. On one occasion during my junior year, I had an argument with my girlfriend that led to a break up. Since I felt I had been greatly wronged, I sought to punctuate my departure from her house by burning rubber down her street (note: I was unsaved at this point in my life). At the climactic moment, I tromped on the gas. However, the anticipated squeal became a sputter. My dramatic exit was anything but. As it turned out, my car had contracted major engine trouble that manifested itself at the most inopportune time. I blazed from her house like an old, arthritic dog limping after a squirrel. My car lacked the power to pull off the emphatic eat my dust exit I had gleefully envisioned.
Do you ever feel as if your Christian life resembles my broken down Grand Prix? Do you seem to lack power? When you step on the gas so to speak, do you hear your engine sputter instead of roar? Where is the power from on high that Jesus promised? Why can we not rise above our circumstances and temptations to walk in victory? What’s the problem here, God?
POWER FAILURES IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
When you and I experience power failures, the problem is never with God. The indwelling Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity. He has all power to do all things. In fact, the way Jesus overcame all the obstacles He faced in life was by yielding to the same Holy Spirit who lives in every believer. The way He lived on earth is the way you and I can live on earth—totally surrendered to the Spirit’s control, moment by moment and day by day.
Spiritual power failures come to us due to several reasons:
1. We put confidence in the flesh and think we can handle the challenge apart from God. Newsflash—we can’t! None of us can. Jesus made it clear, “… apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Wise is the Christian who abides in the vine.
2. We stop seeking the Lord with all our hearts. I recently heard a pastor confess his sin of having drive-through quiet times. This pastor had gotten so busy (easy to do) that his time with the Lord had become a fast food experience … a quick snatch and grab devotional. He was not marinating in the Lord’s presence as He once did. Because of his business, he found himself inadvertently seeking God’s hand (His blessings) and not His face (just the privilege of His presence).
3. We compromise with sin. When we let little sins gain access to our hearts and homes, we set ourselves up for failure. The Bible is clear, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). We cannot walk with God while we walk in darkness.
4. We allow good things to become idols. If there is something or someone you are more passionate about than Jesus, that thing or that one has become an idol. I recently talked to a lady who loves to exercise. Scratch that. She LOVES to exercise. And she must be careful with that love. You see, exercise is a good thing … but it can quickly become a bad thing, if it becomes the most important thing in life. The song lyric says it best, “The dearest idol I have known, Whate’er that idol be, Help me tear it from Thy throne, and worship only Thee.”
Jesus has promised power from on high to everyone who will humbly receive Him and walk in the light with Him. Prayerfully consider the four areas above and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where a problem may lie within. Don’t delay to make necessary changes so that Jesus can truly reign in you.
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve
From His Heart Ministries
P.S. I would love to hear from you and see how God is working in your life. Email me at pastorjeff@fromhisheart.org.
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 149 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.
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