The Weakness of Power…Part 4
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: The Seduction of Success”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
“For thine is the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
You might recognize this phrase as the “doxology” (statement of praise) which concludes the Lord’s Prayer. While it is probably not part of the text Jesus taught in Matthew 6:9-13 (some Greek manuscripts of Matthew from the 4-5th century AD have this line inserted), it reflects the words of Revelation 5:13
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
What all the heavens understand is that glory goes to “him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb”…God himself.
This is the reality in heaven. Perhaps we would say, “It’s easier there because everyone is doing it.”
But like many aspects of faith, earth is a warmup for heaven.
Our time on this earth is a time for us to come to recognize and believe that truly all power and glory belong to the Lord. Every day is a day to give glory to the Lord of all.
So how does that happen? Here’s a few suggestions:
- Carry a mindset that whatever you do, whether it’s your favorite thing or not, that you are going to do your best and be your best to honor the Lord who gave you life today, your abilities, and the opportunities to use them.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
- Receive praise from others with thanks. Protect your heart from letting praise build your ego, but rather let it build humility as you direct the praise to the Lord. Let your boast be in the Lord!
- -1 Corinthians 1:17-18 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
- Discover that hardships in life are not God’s punishment on you, but times he seeks to build and strengthen your faith and trust in him.
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Enjoy today. Find every opportunity to give glory to God…it is ALL his to receive and ours to give!
Apply: How will you glorify God today?
Prayer: Lord, in all I do today, let me glorify you! Amen.
The Weakness of Power…Part 3
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: The Seduction of Success”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Are we asking the wrong question about power?
When you mix our sinful nature with our American culture, you get a powerful resistance to power…unless you have it!
We naturally resist being controlled by someone else. We don’t want someone to tell us what to do, where to do it or how to do it. But when we get to tell someone what to do, where to do it and how to do it? That’s kind of fun, isn’t it?
We naturally love power, but we resist power over us.
Why is that?
We believe power puts us in control so we can have power over power!
We believe when we have power we can use it for what WE want instead of being under the power of someone else.
We have the wrong perspective on power. We need a reorientation of our heart.
First, we will always be under someone else’s power…God’s. We cannot, nor should we want to escape the power of God, but our sinful nature loves to try. From the beginning of time, the first temptation was to be “like God.” Our sinful nature wants all the power and the glory. But it is not ours to gain, it is God’s to give.
Second, remember power is not ours to gain, it is God’s to give.
Remember Jesus’ banter with Pilate when he was on trial?
John 19:10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.
Third, ask a different question. “God what do you want me to do with the power YOU have given to me?”
When I ask this question I realize power, whether that be as an older sibling or the president of a country, is GIVEN to me for a purpose…God’s purpose. Consider these two teachings:
Mark 10:42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
Greatness is not using power to lord it over others…greatness is using power to be a servant of others!
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
God’s power has given us all power to live the godly life God desires us to live.
Power is a good thing. Power is a gift of God. Don’t let power become an idol, but use it to serve others and glorify your Savior.
Power is God’s to give, not yours to gain.
Apply: What power do you have in your life? In your circle of relationships? Workplace? Evaluate: Have I been using my power for selfish purposes or servant purposes?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power YOU have given to me. Help me always to remember power is a gift from you and always seek to use it in a way YOU desire – to love you and love others. Amen.
The Weakness of Power…Part 2
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: The Seduction of Success”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
If you had all the power in the world, what would you do with it?
I mean ALL the power…
Build yourself a mansion in your favorite location? Give everyone “A’s” on their report card for the year? Cure and eliminate CoVid? Rule the world? Never work another day in your life?
My guess is that no matter if your choices were self-serving or serving of others, none of you would use all the power in the world and voluntarily seek out a cross on which to be crucified.
No one would.
Except one.
Philippians 2:6-8 [Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
The all-powerful Son of God ALLOWED himself to be nailed to the cross.
Why?
Jesus chose to use all the power he had as true God to SERVE and to SAVE us.
He could have struck down those that arrested him. He could have come down from the cross and saved himself. He could have simply stayed in heaven.
But he didn’t.
Why?
Because he loved us. All authority in heaven and on earth is given to him (Matthew 28:18), yet he used that power and authority to serve people.
He taught his disciples about using power not to lord it over others, but to serve others.
Mark 10:42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Power is a blessing, but it is not to be used for selfish gains, but to serve others…just like Jesus used ALL the power he had as true God to serve you!
Apply: List all the ways that God used his power to serve you…(consider salvation, creation, preservation, etc.)
Prayer: Lord, thank you for selflessly using your power to serve and save me. Amen.
The Weakness of Power…Part 1
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: The Seduction of Success”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
I would say few of us would claim to be “power hungry” people. Perhaps we could give you a name or two that we perceive as someone who desired power for the sake of power and used it for self-serving purposes!
But we would never be that way…would we?
Of course not.
Or would we?
Perhaps your ambition is not to be the most powerful person in the room or in your community. Perhaps you would say, “I don’t want to be in charge of people.” The thought of having to make decisions that affect many people may send you running.
So of course I don’t want power.
Or do we?
Interesting, that we can see the “BIG” power grabs and condemn them, but a careful look into our hearts just might reveal we are a little more power hungry than we give ourselves credit.
Why do I say that?
I know my sinful nature. It CRAVES power and LOVES to use it for self-centered purposes.
The first temptation given by Satan to mankind got Adam and Eve to want to be “like God.” It tempted them to consider THEY could have as much power as God by “knowing good and evil.” Satan just used the same ploy he fell for by wanting a position in heaven that God had not given to him. Satan wanted to be God. Satan wanted Adam and Eve to think they could be God.
Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Adam and Eve fell for the temptation and passed on to every human being that followed a sinful nature that wanted the power to be God.
We want all the power to be the boss of our own lives. We do not want others to tell us what to do. We do not want God telling us what to do. To allow someone to direct the ambitions and directions of our lives it to relinquish power to someone else.
That is hard to do because inside each of us is a power hungry, sinful nature that wants to be in charge.
This is the heart that God is going to go after. Power is not a bad thing if we understand how to use it properly. But as with previous weeks, God wants to re order our heart so that we recognize ALL power and glory is God’s and God’s alone!
Apply: Where and how does your power hungry sinful nature show up? Reflect on this question today and see what truth God reveals to you!
Prayer: Forgive me for my power grabs that are nothing less than wanting what only you rightly deserve: power and glory. Thank you for using your power to do all to rescue us from our sinful desires for power and turn us back to recognize in gratitude that truly all power and glory are yours alone! Amen.
A Prayer for our Nation and the People of Afghanistan
As our nation mourns the loss of 13 marines and the lives of other innocent individuals, I invite us to pray today to the Lord of all the world. I thank Tiffany Curtis, the Faith Editor of Crosswalk.com, for sharing this prayer at https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/prayers-to-lift-up-for-afghanistan.html
A Prayer for the People of Afghanistan
Lord, we lift up the people of Afghanistan to you right now. We pray that you would take hold of them and help them walk through this fearful time. Protect them under your wing and help them feel the comfort and peace that only comes from your powerful presence.
So many people who have called this place their home have been displaced because of this event. Remind them, Lord, that their true home is in Heaven with you. Give those who believe in you the courage to stand strong in their faith and be a strong witness for you. Also, be with those who do not believe in you – help them to see the peace in your followers and allow the Holy Spirit to stir in their hearts as they witness this.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. (Isaiah 41:10-12)
A Prayer for the Troops and Their Loved Ones
Lord, we lift up the military troops that are in or being deployed to Afghanistan right now. Protect them as they give up their safety to protect us. Thank you that we live in a free country, where the choice can be made to fight for this freedom. Thank you for every single person who has dedicated their own lives to protecting this nation and people, as well as the people of other nations. Help them evacuate people with safety and be a source of hope to those feeling trapped and afraid. We thank them for their sacrifice – a sacrifice that you are so familiar with.
Nearly every person knows someone or has a loved one in the military, and so many are fearful for their loved ones being deployed at this moment. Cover each one with a blanket of peace, knowing that you guide each of us to your ultimate victory. Comfort every veteran, family member, friend, and loved one who feels fearful or uneasy right now.
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17)
A Prayer for the Leaders
Lord, we lift up our leaders, both here and abroad, who are tasked with making difficult and quick decisions. Give them the clarity to approach each decision with wisdom and care. We know that being a leader in this situation would be no easy task – give us understanding and patience for their decisions, even when we may not agree with them.
Each leader was placed in their position for a reason, and we pray that you would guide them to choose what is best for the troops helping, as well as the citizens looking for help. Give our leaders humility and knowledge to negotiate and deliberate. Help them ultimately look to you for guidance, and allow the Holy Spirit to nudge them to pray over each decision that is made.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)
A Prayer for Missionaries and Those from Other Countries
Lord, we pray for the missionaries as well as those visiting Afghanistan right now. We thank you for the brave men and women who leave their comfortable homes here to minister and serve lost people in other countries. There is always a small risk in doing anything outside of your comfort zone, but these missionaries stand up to those risks in order to further the gospel.
We pray that you would not only protect them but that you would do amazing things through them in the midst of this. Help them to be a light in the darkness for you – to spread your comfort, peace, and assurance to those who are afraid. Let their witness spread to everyone around them. And if need be, give them the courage and strength to defend your name under persecution.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. (Psalm 34:7-9)
A Prayer for the Taliban
Lord, even when it doesn’t make sense to our earthly selves, you call us to pray for those who persecute (Matthew 5:44). We lift up the Taliban to you today. We pray that your Holy Spirit would work in them and soften their hearts.
Only you truly know their hearts, Lord. Just as you created us, help us to remember that they are your creation as well and you love them deeply. Help us to desire the restoration of their hearts and welcome them with open arms into the family of Christ when their hearts are changed. You alone can work in their hearts and minds, and we pray that through this process we see a transformation and revival. Let us continue to lift them up to you in love, knowing that you came to save each and every one of us.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:43-44)
We know that ultimately, God is sovereign over all things. No matter what wars are being waged, won, or lost here on earth, God will have the victory in the end. It’s so hard for us to see this reality while we live through fearful and uncertain events. But by turning our eyes to God and lifting up our fears and desires to him, we can truly know that he is in control.