The Seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord even the demons submit to us in Your name.”

He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash. Look I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy;  nothing will ever harm you. However, don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”    Luke 10:17-20 HCSB

Last Wednesday we had a thunder storm that swept through our area with strong gusts of winds and a torrential downpour.  It was short lived, but it knocked our electricity out for about two hours.  The weather was just bad enough that our church service had to be cancelled.  The weather made for dangerous driving conditions and our church had no electricity.

Weather forecasters were giving us grim forecasts about the impending Hurricane Barry and the massive flooding, strong winds and days without electricity.  But, God had other plans.  I believe that the collective prayers of many, helped to dissipate that storm.  I am so thankful to God that it weakened when it hit land like it did.  Scientists may give you some scientific reason, but I am telling you that I believe it was prayer.  Praise God for his protection during this storm.

When Katrina came through in 2005, we lived for a week without electricity.  I can’t complain though, because I know many of my friends were without electricity for weeks.

I don’t know about you, but I am spoiled to electricity.  I like to be able to turn a lamp on and have it work and I really appreciate air conditioning in the summer.  When we lose electricity, we tend to say that we have lost power, because electricity is what runs or powers our homes.

As Christians, the only way we lose power is to stray from or totally reject Christ.  You see, when we live in close relationship with Christ, He gives us power to get through each day.  Just as the electricity in our homes gives us power to run things like our air conditioners and refrigerators and lights and tv, God gives us power to survive in this cruel, evil world.  We should never be fearful nor should we ever feel powerless.  A fearful, powerless, Christian is an oxymoron.  Timothy 1:7 tells us, For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.   In Acts 1:8, Christ told his disciples, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  Shortly after I rededicated my life to Christ, I faced some difficult times.  During these times, my mantra became Philippians 4:13 and it remains one of my favorites still today.  It says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  

I hate to tell you this, but if you are thinking that you do anything on your own strength, you are delusional.  We do what God strengthens us to do and what He allows us to do.  We don’t wake up, nor do we take each breath outside of God’s will.  We are here because he puts us here and sustains power to us for as long as He intends for us to be on this planet.

I strongly encourage you to make wise use of this power that God gives us.  Use it as He intended and be witnesses for Him and help to lead others to Christ.  Stay charged up.  When we know that we may be facing a power outage, we do things like hook up generators, charge up our electronic devices, buy plenty of batteries to keep battery operated devices going,  buy candles for light.  We can do the same when going through tough times.  Recharge your power by turning to God and accept the power that He offers to get through tough times. Stay charged up through Bible study, prayer, and a strong network of good, Christian friends.

Make good use of the power that we receive from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  There is power in His name, cry out to Him in times of trouble.  Trust in Him to take care of you.  And just like the old church hymn tells us, remember that there is wonder working power in the soul cleansing blood of the lamb.  Take full advantage of that power!

When you trust in God, you never lose power. You may lose electricity for a period of time, but you will never lose power.

Have a great day!