Have We Not the Power?

I Corinthians 9: ⁴ Have we not power to eat and to drink? ⁵ Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? ⁶ Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? ¹² If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. ¹⁴ Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. ¹⁸ What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. ¹⁹ For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

Proverbs 3: ²⁷ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

Ephesians 3: ²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

It’s a big mistake to allow ourselves to be controlled by the elements of this world.  In recent years there has been an all-out effort to control what we think, what we like, how we appear, and what we say—our very life.  In every aspect of our life—public and private—the devil is pulling out every trick in the book to control the heart, mind and yes the soul of men.

A buzz word for a few years has been empowerment.  We’re told we have power. Didn’t the devil tempt Jesus Christ with power?  He said the kingdoms of this world would be given to Jesus if he’d fall down and worship him.  Jesus quoted the Word to Satan saying thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shall thou serve.  He didn’t bow.  The three Hebrews didn’t bow.  Daniel didn’t give in.  He opened his windows toward Jerusalem and prayed every day.  Toward Jerusalem not Babylon.  Did it pay off?  Well, he got thrown into the den of lions, but like the fourth man was in the fire with the Hebrews, God was with Daniel and the lions.  Let the devil roar like a lion but because of the power that works in every believer we can make it through.

Paul didn’t say “I have this power.”  He said we have this power.  We have the power with God through receiving Jesus Christ as Savior.  The Bible said as many as received him [Jesus] to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name.  We have the power! Eve gave in because the devil told her about the power she’d have.  The power of Jesus opened graves and caused earthquakes.  The guards became as dead men at the power of God—they passed out.  We may be sown in weakness but we’ll be raised in power.  I feel his power.  Don’t go by how this old body feels.  Go by the spirit.  We’re in a good way.  Choose the good way and walk in it.  We may not find heaven on earth but we do have it in our soul.

The devil wants us to feel washed up.  The world makes no room for Christians.  Some want to take every reference to God out of public places.  This is one nation—one world—under God whether the public likes it or not. We’ll all stand before God and give account.  The devil’s crowd tries to make us feel weak for being a Christian.  He wants us to feel out of step and flat out dumb.  Remember this:  the devil IS NOT all powerful.  The world IS NOT all powerful.  We have the power of an endless life.

I’ve lost faith in most every institution in this world.  It’s all gone to the dogs.  There is still someone to believe in.  We can believe Jesus till the day we die.  That power can’t be taken away.  Keep going on for Jesus.  We have the power.  When you feel weak, ask yourself this question.  Have I not got power in the Lord?  Use the power.  Use our faith.  Use the Word and our Savior.  We can come boldly to the throne and find grace to help in time of need.  Have we not the power?

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Use the power working within you and not the power working on you.