Power or Effort?

If you didn’t realize it before I started this series, there are some remarkable similarities between Bixby, Corinth and probably any other city we could name.

This past Sunday, we looked at how the Church in Corinth was beginning to move in their own effort and strength. What they failed to realize was that as men their fruits were limited and their effectiveness was doomed to failure because they were working from a purely self-motivated mindset.

Sounds like something all of us have been guilty of in some capacity or another.

If we’re doing something on our own without God, and we’re struggling at it, then we’re trying to work in our own strength. That’s a sure sign of failure and will only result in our nature working against us. Not only that, but when it's our effort, most times, our work will never reach heights of significance.

Have you noticed how most people, who work in their own strength or in their own effort, are often double minded or even multi-minded? James 1:8 says that a "double minded person is unstable in all his ways."

If there are days you are confused and deeply divided, if you find your values are being compromised, that is not God's best for you. Try to quit working in your own strength, in your own effort and allow God to use His power through you.

There is one simple key to operating in the power of God and not in your own effort…we must enter His presence.

Remember in Exodus 33 how he yearned for God’s presence whether in the desert or in the Promise Land. Israel wasn't about to move into the Promise Land in their own effort. Moses refused to go anywhere, including the Promised Land, unless they were being lead by God’s presence. Moses told God, unless you go before us, we'll stay here. We will not leave your presence.

Don't you wish we could say what Moses said. In God's presence, our thinking becomes right, and peace, joy, and love become more evident in our hearts.

If we step away from it or try to operate in our own strength, then it can spell trouble for us. Start your day in the presence of God through prayer, Daily Bible Reading, praise and worship. And then CHOOSE to seek His presence throughout your day.

The kingdom of God is not a matter of talking, it's a matter of power. Power is received in God's presence.

Love,

Pastor Steve

PS. Make a commitment this week to pray this prayer found in Exodus 33:13-14: "Dear God, I pray that you would be pleased with me, continue to teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you, and so that your presence will go with me, and you will give me rest."