Power To Do Amazing Things – Weekly Tip #4, Spring 2014
As I sit here in Daytona Beach (helping with our New Staff Conference) I’m looking out the window and noticing strong winds, rain and turbulent waves coming to shore. The waves are coming up nearly to the seawall up by our hotel.
This reminds me of the amazing power of God who created the ocean and all that we see around us. Another way that the power of God can be seen is through reading what Jesus has done in Scripture. In Luke 4:31-37 we see Jesus teaching on the Sabbath and people around Him knew that His word possessed a special authority and power. Here is where the story gets interesting when we read verses 33-37:
33And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34“Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 35But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
Notice first that even the demons recognized Him as the Son of God. Secondly, Jesus being God in the flesh and our Messiah spoke the words and caused the demon to come out of the man. That’s what I call power and authority. Jesus is more powerful than any ocean or wind that we might experience. Jesus is alive today and He has the power to positively impact our lives and the lives of people around us.
Never forget that we serve a God and a Savior who can do mighty things if we simply would ask Him in prayer. God may not answer our prayers immediately or He may answer them in a different way than we had anticipated. He has the power to do incredible things if we trust Him and watch Him work according to His will. What would you like to see God do on your campus, city or church? Have you asked Him for what is on your heart? He is more powerful than the wind and the waves.
Be Ready For Your Next Study
In your ministry, especially if you’re on a school calendar, that time goes by very quickly. We have only a few precious weeks to communicate the best Bible study content for maximum growth. Now is a good time to reconsider what Bible study plan you want to get across to your disciples for maximum growth and understanding of our foundational truths as believers. Review this weekly tip from last fall where I spell out some of the important Bible studies to consider. Here are a few key studies to consider: The Essentials, Cru.Comm, Life Concepts.
Our goal in ministry is to win as many as we can to Christ, follow-up on those who respond and build them in the faith, and send them out to continue reaching others with the Gospel message. The Bible studies you teach need to be transferable to others, transformational, and foundational. Make each week count.