Love is Powerful, 4/28/2010

Love is Powerful
Rachel Olsen

"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence." 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)

Devotion:
Do you find yourself doing what you know you should not? Do you find it hard to stop?

Yeah, I know.

I've had several discussions lately with people stuck in patterns of behavior they want to quit. They keep sinning. What's more, they feel completely awful about it. Guilty. Shameful. Some to the point of hating themselves. And yet they feel powerless to stop - powerless to resist.

The Bible says when we return to our vices again and again, we are like dogs returning to our vomit (Prov. 26:11). Eww, ick!

So why do we do this when according to the Bible, Christ has conquered sin on our behalf so we can overcome its power? If, "by his divine power God has given us everything we need for living a godly life," why does sin have any place in our lives?

The answer is the same reason a dog returns to her vomit. Gross as it is, she gets some degree of satisfaction from it. She likes it. See what I mean:

· Lust - or its fulfillment, sexual indiscretion - feels pleasurable in the moment.
· Overeating—or its biblical term, gluttony - feels comforting in the moment.
· Power - called "lording it over someone" in the Bible - makes you feel significant.
· Lying is convenient at the time.
· Splurging and spending - compared to saving or giving -- feels fun and rewarding.
· Stomping and yelling feels cathartic and justifiable.

This list could go on ad nauseam. Sin has power because we enjoy it. It promises something we want - pleasure, escape, wealth, power, attention. Sure it always has consequences we don't want, but in many cases those don't over power its feel-good moments or perceived benefits.

In short, sin has power because we love it.

What can help us overcome the sins that we have love-hate relationships with? A surpassing love. A greater love that carries with it no hate, no guilt, and no shame. A love that actually delivers the many benefits it promises. A love that is full of beautiful grace and soul-deep compassion.

A love more attractive and more powerful than the allure of sin.

It is the love of God displayed in Christ.

When we catch hold of that love - when we read of it regularly, drink it in, pray for it and see it at work in our lives - we cannot help but love Him back with all our heart, soul and mind.

And in that state of all encompassing love, sin pales in comparison. Its power grows feeble. Immersing ourselves in the everlasting love of God, we become willing and able to walk away from sin

We can give up that because we have THIS.

Dear Lord, forgive me for the sins I return to. Cleanse me with Your majestic love and grace. Reveal to me the depth of Your love, the extent of Your sacrifice, and the beauty of the mercy You grant me daily. Open my eyes to see Your love afresh and may I be empowered to walk away from sin towards Your heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him Who Loves You So?

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

Check out Rachel's blog today.

Application Steps:
Fill your mind and heart today with the love of God. Read the power verses below, look up others in your Bible, or visit Rachel's blog.

Reflections:
What sin do I return to? What is the benefit I feel this sin provides me?

Power Verses:
Proverbs 8:17, "I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me." (NLT)

Jeremiah 31:3, "Long ago the Lord said to Israel: 'I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.'" (NLT)


© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/index.php

Two Left Feet,4/27/2010

Two Left Feet
Susanne Scheppmann

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
Devotion:
The accordion wheezed in and out with the melody, while the tuba burped out the rhythm—oompah pa pa oompah. The oompah band, dressed in traditional Bavarian attire—red knickers, canary yellow knee socks, small hunter green vests and green felt caps with bright red feathers wagging from the brim—played for the crowd. Each musician clutched his instrument as if it were his lover and then nodded toward the audience, encouraging them toward the dance floor.

Several members of my extended family stared at the video recording of my father-in-law's retirement party. We sat mesmerized as we relived the gaiety of those priceless moments. With oompahs playing in the background, we watched ourselves hitch arms and jig in a large circle. And, of course, human nature as it is, we all wanted to see ourselves dance to oompah music.

Suddenly, I spied myself. I thought, "Ugh!" Unfortunately, my father-in-law paused the video and said with an air of surprise, "I didn't know you had two left feet."

I have many deficiencies—two left feet is a minor one. Trust me, I have some real doozie problems in my life—like we all do. But I know for a fact that no matter how large or small my deficiencies, Christ is all sufficient in my life. I have been a Christ follower for over thirty years and not once has Jesus failed to meet my needs. I can say along with King David, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song" (Psalm 28:7, NIV).
I may have a myriad of deficiencies, but I can still sing for joy in His strength.
We all have deficiencies. God created us that way. Why? So that we would learn to depend on Him as our key verse states, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"
So today, I am going to dance in faith with my two left feet. Will you join me in trusting Jesus, our Almighty God, with your deficiencies?

Dear Lord, I recognize my need for Your strength in my life. My day-to-day existence is fraught with deficiencies. Thank You for being more than enough in my life. Thank You for being my Almighty God. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann This book will introduce you to God, through His names and the metaphor of dance.

Visit Susanne's blog

A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper

Application Steps:
Consider in what areas you need the strength of Christ today. Take a short time to pray and ask Him to give you endurance and the hope to see you through each difficulty or deficiency you face today. Remember He is our Almighty God.

Reflections:
What type of "deficiency" do you feel you have?
Do you believe you can overcome it by yourself?
How can God's strength enable you to endure difficulties?
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:20-21, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes‘ in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen‘ is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ." (NIV)
Psalms 37:39, "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble." (KJV)
Psalms 147:11, "Those who fear God get God's attention; they can depend on his strength." (MSG)

© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/index.php