i need supernatural power…

now to control my tongue i need GOD’s help everyday.  i can’t do it in my own power, i need supernatural power.  we can’t do it on our own so we need to ask GOD to help us. 

a good way to start every morning is to pray what the psalmist in psalm 141.3 (ncv) prayed, LORD, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what i say.  pray that when you are about to criticize your spouse.  pray that when you are about to be judgemental. “ LORD, don’t let me say things without thinking.  please don’t let me say things off the cuff and then i regret it.”  just pray that daily, LORD, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what i say.  

sidlow baxter said,  “the proof that GOD’s SPIRIT is in your life is not that you speak in an unknown tongue but you control the tongue you know.”  if you are careful about what you say and you ask GOD then HE will give you the power to not slander, not lie, not exaggerate.

another thing to be reminded of is to read GOD’s word.  this is also a way HE will help us.

there is a computer statement that says, garbage in, garbage out.  what goes into your mind, goes into your heart.  what goes into your heart, comes out of your mouth.  fill your mind with the word of GOD – with positive things, whatsoever things that are true, etc. – think on these things.

GOD is there to empower us through HIS word and through HIS SPIRIT.  just read and ask.

just a thought from the front porch…

to get past the forgiveness barrier…

it is not always possible, it is not always advisable that you physically go back to the people who hurt you. you shouldn’t always go back to that person. things may have changed. they may be unaware of how they hurt you. they may have remarried. maybe it would make matters worse. maybe they’ve moved away, and it’s impossible to find them. they may have died. some of you hold resentment against people who are no longer even alive. it’s not always advisable or even possible to go back to that person.

one of the things you can do is the technique of the empty chair. you set an empty chair in front of you, and you imagine that person in it and say, “GOD, i don’t know where they are, and i don’t know if it would even be the right thing to go back to them. it might stir up a hornet’s nest. but right now, i’m imagining that person there. i forgive them in the name of JESUS CHRIST. i’m giving up my right to get even. i’m letting it go. i’m asking YOU to help me to want YOU to bless that person.

another way is to write a letter to the person that you never mail. you spell out your pain. you say, “what you did hurt me. that rejection, that abuse, that mistrust, that betrayal, that criticism, that neglect, that apathy – whatever. that hurt me.” and you spell it out. you don’t minimize it. “but i have been forgiven so much by GOD, and i know that this is the right thing to do. i don’t want to go on with my life feeling and holding this resentment, this grudge, this pain, this burden in my heart.” because what you’d be doing is continuing to allow them to control you. “so i’m letting you go.” you write it in the letter, and you never mail the letter.

what i’ve described to you is not easy. it’s not easy at all. in fact, i have no doubt that there’s some relationships right here, there’s some marriages that are about to self-destruct. and they’re about to self-destruct not because of a hurt that was done – the hurt was the instigator – but because of the unforgiveness. it is not the hurt that destroys the marriage; it’s the refusal to forgive that destroys the marriage. it’s holding on and holding it over the person’s head. and some of you are in so much pain that every bone in your body wants to run out of that marriage, run out of that relationship – find somebody new just to ease the pain.

these steps are not easy, but with GOD’s power, you can do it. there’s a line in a song that says, “we can’t just trust our feelings. we have to stand in the LORD.” that’s the only way you’re going to get past this forgiveness barrier. you say, “i don’t feel like forgiving.” who does? nobody ever feels like forgiving. you do it because it’s the right thing to do, and you do it to get on with your life. we have to stand in the LORD.

just a thought from the front porch…

has your romance stopped?...

i want you to think of that person that you find it hard to love. or that person you find it hard to be patient with. or that person you don't even like, you don't even want to be friendly to them! then say, how would a loving person act toward that person? if i were patient how would i act toward that person? or if i were friendly how would i act? once you've got that down then you start acting as if you're loving, you're patient, you're friendly, whatever. watch what happens! it will blow your mind. that is living by faith. living in faith!

some of you, the romance died in your marriage a long time ago. you say, “i just don't have any feelings for my mate any more. i'm not even attracted to them anymore.” you need GOD's power to jump-start the romance in your marriage.

you start acting romantic toward your mate. date your mate. treat them like a date. send them flowers. compliment them. build them up. start acting romantic and those feelings will come back, because feelings always follow actions. you cannot feel your way into an action but you can act your way into a feeling.

by faith say, “GOD, i want to feel this way.” then act this way and watch what happens.

so what that GOD is omnipotent? what good is GOD's power if you never take advantage of it? you're going to need GOD's power this next week. it is available.

what are you expecting GOD to do in your life this week? we limit GOD so much by our unbelief. we live on just a fraction of the power that is available to us.

if you want power you admit your weakness and that you need GOD. you admit your lack of power.

i have found, just like paul, that in my greatest weakness that in my time of greatest fear and weakness, i am strong and that GOD pours the power into my life when i don't have it in myself. GOD's power rests on my life. i know that. not because of who i am because i'm not anybody special but HE says that anybody who will admit that HE needs power and believes in faith and speaks in faith will get my power.

just a thought from the front porch…

faith is acting as if…

do you remember the story of joshua and the children of israel when they came up to the jordan river? it was very similar to moses at the red sea. the whole nation had to pass over the river in order to get into the promised land. it was springtime and the banks of the jordan were overflowing. it was impossible. GOD said to joshua and the leaders of israel, “take the leaders and put them out in front of the people and tell them to walk into the river. after they begin to walk into the river i will dam it up a little way north and the waters will recede and you will be able to walk across on dry ground.”

the leaders began to walk into the river. the water was up to their ankles, then their knees, then their thighs. they were probably thinking, “i'm not going to walk very much further!” but look what happened. the bible says in joshua 3, when the priests put their feet in the water, the jordan river will stop flowing.

they acted as if the water would part and it did! GOD released HIS power. now there was a lag time in their faith because GOD stopped the river up stream so some of that water kept flowing down but they kept walking in faith, they kept walking as if.

now the amazing thing is that GOD wants to share his power with you but you've got to follow the steps. first you admit you have the need, then you believe in faith, then speak in faith and then act in faith. step out in advance, acting as if.

some of you are waiting for GOD to do a miracle in your life and you think that you are waiting on GOD. in reality GOD is waiting on you. HE's waiting on you to take the first step. the power will not be released until you take the first step. it's withheld. it's a deliberate choice: “i don't feel it but i know that it's the right thing to do. i'm going to do it.” you act as if you have the power to do what's right and it will be supplied.

men, monday when you come home from work and you're exhausted and you're tired and want to be left alone. you feel lousy and cruddy and you do not want to face your kids or maybe even your wife. you want to walk in the door and say to everybody “don't bug me!”

instead of doing that, why don't you try this: on the way home, while you're driving home, why don't you take a little pill called isaiah 40.31 (niv), they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength. they shall mount up with wings as eagles. they shall run and not be weary. ... they shall play with the kids and not faint.

before you get out of the car and go into the house say, “GOD, YOU've promised to re‑energize me if i wait on YOU. so i'm going to wait here a minute, take a death breath. i believe in faith that you can re‑energize me. i'm going to say it, i'm going to speak it, i believe it. i'm going to walk in and act as if i've got energy and i'm going to play with those kids. i don't have many hours of the day with them in the first place.”

just a thought from the front porch…

what are you saying and then doing in faith?...

the bible says in the book of james that your tongue is the rudder of your life. it's like the little rudder that moves the giant ship. the way you talk to yourself and to others directs the course of your life.

the bible says in proverbs, death and life are in the power of the tongue. so what are you saying... about your marriage, about your job, about your health, about your finances, about your kids.

many of you are waiting for GOD to do something and believing HIM for a miracle but you're short circuiting it by the way you talk. you're believing it in one place but then denying and negating it by your complaints. “yeah, i believe GOD is going to save my marriage. but my marriage is the pits!” “yeah, i'm praying that my kids will really take a stand for the LORD, but my kids are hopeless! incorrigible!” “i'm really praying that GOD will heal me, but i'm never going to get well.” “i want GOD to change my life and help me break those bad habits but it's just the way i am! i'm never going to change!” you're short circuiting GOD's power in your life by your mouth.

GOD's power is not automatic. you must first admit you have a need for it, then you believe in faith, and then you speak in faith. nothing is too hard for GOD. after you believe in faith and speak in faith then you act in faith.

this is very vital and most people miss this point. act in faith. you must step out in advance before the power is released. GOD wants you to take action even before you feel anything.

“you mean i have to act as if i've got the power, even though i don't have the power, in order to get the power?” yes! that's what's called acting in faith. you act as if GOD is going to provide. and when you step out in advance, before you even feel it, then GOD sees your faith. do not wait for a feeling!

if the only time you pray is when you feel like it, the devil is going to make sure you never feel like it! you need to do those things you know are right even when you don't feel like it.

immaturity is living by your feelings. maturity is living by your commitments. you act as if, in advance.

so many people miss GOD's blessing on their life. “there is something i'd really like to do.... but i don't think that i can do it.” so you never even try! and as a result you never have the power.

if you had tried, GOD would have poured the power into your life to make you competent to do it once you had stepped out. but if you don't even try you will never sense GOD's power in your life.

just a thought from the front porch…

how to appropriate GOD’s power…

so how do you appropriate GOD's power in your life on a consistent basis? well #1. you admit that you don't have it all together. #2. you believe in faith. the key to personal power in our life is faith. not anything else. it's faith. the key to personal power is faith.

mark 9.23 (niv), everything is possible for him who believes. matthew 9.29 (niv), according to your faith it will be done to you. if that is true, and it is, let me give you two vital questions:

1. what are you expecting GOD to do in your life?
2. what are you expecting GOD to do through your life?
   

HE works according to faith. since GOD has unlimited power, we should not limit HIM because of our expectations of HIM. we limit GOD by our own belief. GOD has given us atomic bomb power and we live firecracker lives. there's no problem too big for GOD and there's no request that HE can't handle.

so what am i willing to believe GOD for? if you want to see GOD's power in your life you must believe in faith.

then #3. speak in faith. and this is very important. you must speak in faith. 2 corinthians 4.13 (tev), in the same spirit of faith, we also speak because we believe.

you must verbalize your faith. you must announce what you're intending GOD to do. you must not just think it in your mind, you must announce it. speak it. verbalize it.

that's what a goal is. a goal is a statement of faith. when i set a goal, "i believe GOD can help me do _______________ by _______________ time." goals are simply statements of faith. the size of your goal is determined by the size of your GOD. show me what your goals are in life and i'll tell you what you're believing GOD for.

it's very important that you announce your goals up front. say it in faith.

just a thought from the front porch…

GOD’s power is not automatic…

some of you may be saying, “i know i need to trust GOD. i do have problems that are about to get me down. but i don't know if this stuff really works. it seems to work for you, pastor bill but it doesn't work for me. i'm a believer but i never felt GOD's power in my life.” and i'm sure you are exactly right!

the fact is, GOD's power is not automatic. i would say that most CHRISTians do not have GOD's power in their life to any degree. there are some steps – some things you must do to appropriate it.

most CHRISTians never get GOD's power in their life. they never key into it. they are just as defeated as unbelievers and just as tired and fatigued. so the question then becomes, how do you appropriate GOD's power in your life on a consistent basis?

well for one i admit my lack of power. i admit that i don't have it all together.

you see, our problem is that we think we're omnipotent. we think we're GOD. “i can handle anything. i can do everything.” if you don't believe it, look at your schedule. who are you kidding?

if you burn the candle at both ends you're not as bright as you think you are. admit your need for GOD's power in your life. you can't do it all on your own. you come out of high school joe jock, believing you can take on everything. then, later, you realize that you don't have all power. stress, tension and frustration come as a result.

mid-life crisis is simply waking up to your limitations, realizing you are not GOD. you cannot control everything. you are not going to reach every goal you set in life. you're not going to make as much money as you may have thought. you are a human being. you have weaknesses. you're getting older! your hairline may be receding!

what do you do when you realize you are weak? 2 corinthians 12.9-10 (ph) paul says, GOD said to me “where there is weakness, MY power is shown more completely.” therefore i have cheerfully made up my mind to be proud of my weaknesses, because they mean a deeper experience of CHRIST's power. for my very weakness makes me strong in HIM!

when you pretend to be self sufficient, you short circuit GOD's power in your life. a self-made man needs to admit his inadequacy and then he can start having power. until then you're going to burn out.

just a thought from the front porch…

the power to say, no...

i can count on GOD’s power when i’m tempted.

one of the reasons that some of the pain is in our life is because we haven’t had the power to say no to temptation and paul understood this. romans 7.18 (ph), i often find that i have the will to do good, but not the power.

can you relate to that one? “i want to do it but i don’t have the power!” temptation is out there!

bumper sticker: “lead us not into temptation; i’m perfectly capable of finding it on my own.” and i can relate to that.

if you’re setting there saying, “i’m not tempted,” you’re what’s called… dead! liar.

temptation is inevitable but the good news is GOD won’t let us be tempted beyond our own capacity to handle that. GOD is faithful and gives you the power to say no when you’re tempted. you name the temptation – internet pornography, gossip, lying for a job interview, cheating on your taxes – when you’re tempted, GOD gives you the power to say no.

it says in the bible, in 1 corinthians 10.13 (nlt), the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. and GOD is faithful. HE will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. when you're tempted, HE will show you a way out.

the promise is this: there’s always a way out. here’s the question: do you take it?

GOD says, I want to give you the power for the way out. do you need to access that type of power? it’s available.

now the bottom line to these four promises we have looked at these last 4 posts is, i feel like GOD’s saying, “when you are burned out and tired i want to give you my power. in the midst of your feeling inadequate with your life, i want to give to you my power so you can handle the devastating hurt that you’re going through right now … when you feel like you’re tempted beyond your control, i want to give you my power …” that’s the good news of today. it is good news. we don’t have to live powerless, weak lives.

just a thought from the front porch…

where do you go with your pain?

have you found that you can count on GOD’s power when you’re in pain? i deal an awful lot with people who are in pain, deep hurting pain. here’s a list of many different types of pain. maybe you are on this list.

• some of you possibly come from lousy family or marriage situations. the relational dynamics are terrible and there are some hate-filled people in the home and you don’t even want to be there. that’s pain.
• some of the possible pain has to do with your own bodily pain. you have some affliction that you live with. and it looks like tomorrow morning when you wake up you’re going to have the same affliction and you’re tired of it. that’s pain.
• some of you possibly are in less than ideal work situation. you don’t like your job. yet you aren’t doing anything about it. you hit work on monday, to unrealistic quotas and impossible deadlines and it’s grinding you down. that’s pain.
• some of you possibly are going through the trauma of a separation or divorce. that’s pain.
• some of you have possibly recently lost loved ones.
• some of you possibly are just starting to face the reality of an emotional condition that you’re discovering about yourself.
• some of you have friendships that are fractured.
• some of you have constant financial pressures. you’re on the verge of bankruptcy.
• some of you that are parents are possibly broken inside because you’re watching your kids making decisions and their lives are self destructing and it’s unbearable to watch. that’s pain.
• some of you are possibly sick of being single. you’re not dating anyone and marriage seems a long way off or even an unrealistic dream. that’s pain.
  

did i hit you? if i didn’t your number’s coming up! pain is right around the corner. there’s no shortage of difficulty facing us. you’re not immune from pain and neither am i.

if you’re not a CHRISTian, you’re here on the front porch just checking this GOD-thing out, some of my CHRISTian friends that have gone through this kind of pain that i’m talking about will tell you that they have walked through the deepest and darkest valleys of their life but they would also tell you with conviction that if it wasn’t for GOD’s power and strength, they would never have made it out the other side – at least not in one piece.

where do you go with your pain? GOD promises us power in the midst of pain. psalm 41.3 (nlt), the LORD nurses them when they’re sick and eases their pain.

for CHRISTians, GOD’s power doesn’t just pacify our pain. when we access GOD’s power, it so invades our life that it satisfies our soul. do you want to tap into that kind of power? it’s available.

just a thought from the front porch…

do you ever feel like you are inadequate?...

we are looking at this matter of being powerless in our lives and the question, when can i count on GOD’s power?

well, you can count on GOD’s power when you’ve got nothing to offer.

this can be in a relationship where you feel like, “i don’t have anything left to give.” it could be with one of your children: “i just don’t know what she/he wants from me!” it could be with your job: “i’m in over my head!”

GOD says, “i’ll give you power when you don’t feel like you’ve got anything to offer.” when you feel inadequate.

GOD says, “my power will show up when you’re weak.”

paul said to GOD, “i’ve got this affliction. will you take it away from me?” GOD said no.

2 corinthians 12.9-10 (lb), my power shows up best in weak people…

in your mind circle the word power and then draw an arrow to weak. GOD says, my power shows up best in weak people…

and i love what paul says, now i’m glad to boast about how weak i am. i‘m glad to be a living demonstration of CHRIST’s power instead of showing off my own power and abilities.

GOD makes a promise. when you feel inadequate. when you feel like you’ve got nothing to offer, HE wants to invade your life with HIS power.

do you need to tap into a power like that? it’s available.

just a thought from the front porch…

are you tired, really tired?...

now a good question to ask when you feel powerless is when can i count on GOD’s power? well for one, when i’m tired. i can count on GOD’s power when i’m tired.

i don’t even have to ask you if you are tired. i know that by the fact that i live on long island, close to the city that most of the people around me are tired. work, work, work, work, play, play, play, play, tired, tired, tired, tired.

obviously there are some things that you and i can do to slow the pace of our lives down, but in the midst of this, GOD makes us a promise. isaiah 40.28,29&31 (tev & nlt), the LORD is the everlasting GOD. HE never grows tired or weary. HE strengthens those who are weak and tired. those who trust the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. HE gives power to those who are tired and worn out; HE offers strength to the weak.

i know some of you… you need to memorize this verse! write it down and put it by your toothbrush, get a tattoo of it on your body, shave it on the side of your dog! i don’t care where you put it, just put it someplace where you can be reminded of it. it’s a great verse.

GOD’s power is unlimited. HE never gets tired. HE never gets weary. HE never goes to bed. HE has unlimited energy. HE created the entire universe and said, “what’s next?”

would you like to tap into that kind of power? it’s available.

just a thought from the front porch…

do you feel powerless?...

i love the sun. i love to get up every morning and know that i can see the sun. now living on long island means i don’t see the sun quite as much as i did when i lived in vegas and phoenix and i love living here but i really do love the sun.

i read that the power of the sun produces more energy in one second than has been used in the history of the world and that the sun, at its current rate, will be able to burn for another thirty billion years. that's a lot of power. but it's not as great as the power of the creator who made the sun.

jeremiah 32.17 (niv), sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. nothing is too hard for you.

what we're talking about is what theologians call the omnipotence of GOD. HE's all powerful. GOD is almighty. HE has unlimited power. HE never gets tired. HE is never frustrated. everything HE does, HE does easily. nothing is ever too hard or difficult for him. it's easy for him to answer a prayer. it's just as easy for him to create a universe.

in luke 18.27 (tev) it says, what is humanly impossible is possible for GOD. some of you are going through some tough stuff in your life and you need to know how do i get GOD's power in my life?

there are so many people who are powerless. they feel like victims. victims of society, circumstance, by other people, by their health. they feel always a dollar short and a day late, going two steps forward and one step back. they never seem to get it together. they feel very powerless. GOD says i want to give you power in your life.

now one power shortage that many people have is the power to get started. and most of us have a problem with this from time to time.

how many good things have you been postponing in the last six months? “i'm going to get around to that one day but...” what would you like to change about yourself but you can't get the motivation to get started?

do you ever find yourself paralyzed by procrastination? “someday, i'll...” romans 7.18 (phillips), i often find that i have the will to do good, but not the power! does this describe you?

you want to do what is right and good but just don't have the power! how many of you have learned that good intentions are not enough?

just a thought from the front porch…

what do you need?...

some of you say, "i'd love to have GOD's grace, to have a clear conscious, to start over." others need GOD's strengthening grace – things in your life you'd like to change, weaknesses, habits and you don't have the strength or power to make those changes. you need GOD's strengthening grace. some of you are saying "i've been holding on to a hurt. i've got pain in my life – physical, emotional, relational. how in the world do i get GOD's grace in my life?"

there is only one single thing you need to do to get GOD's grace in your life. the key to receiving GOD's grace, james 4.6 (nkjv), GOD resists the proud but HE gives grace to the humble.

the key to receiving GOD's grace in my life is i admit that i need it. that's it! i admit that i need GOD in my life. pride prevents GOD's grace.

as long as i'm self dependent – "i can handle it. i don't need anybody to tell me what it's all about." the self-made man worships his maker. "i don't need anybody else. i've got it under control." – as long as you've got that kind of attitude you don't have it under control and that's why you've still got the problem.

you need GOD's grace to see it through, to make the changes, to get the forgiveness. all you've got to do is admit it. "i'm not making it on my own!"

this is the value of confession. some of you have a bad habit you'd like to break. the first step to breaking a bad habit is tell GOD and somebody else. when you tell GOD, HE's not shocked; HE already knows. it's no big surprise to GOD. HE just wants you to admit it. then tell it to somebody else. if you've never confessed it to anybody, that's why you still have the problem.

"but if i admit this bad habit or hidden sin in my life that's pretty humbling." you've got it! bingo! the very key to getting GOD's power in your life to change that bad habit begins by admitting it to somebody and getting humility into your life that you need GOD.

some of you are possibly having severe marriage problems at home. husband wife, wife husband and you go to church on sunday with a big front. oh nothings wrong. we don't have any problems. i don't need to put down on my welcome card that we have a problem. no way am i going to admit i need help but it won't go away. it is there and it is getting worse. maybe your kids know about it but nobody else does and you are saying, we can handle it. but you aren't and it's getting worse. you know what i'm talking about don't you?

some of you are parents and you have rebellious children and it's killing you. maybe they're on drugs, maybe they've been in jail, or maybe they're pregnant, or maybe involved in sex and not pregnant and you're saying, "i don't want anybody to know what's going on in our family." and that's why you're dying inside until you say, "we have some problems in our family."

listen, everybody has some kind of problems. nobody has a perfect family. as you come and say, "i need help!" and share that in a small group or with a CHRISTian friend and talk to the LORD about it and be honest then you start having the healing of the hurt in your life. and GOD's grace flows.

just a thought from the front porch…

the power of easter…

i know it's a cliche but this easter can be the first day of the rest of your life. JESUS CHRIST wants to give you the power to start over and to keep going. that's an outside power source HE wants to give you. i realize that some of you are barely hanging on. some of you your career is going down the tubes, your health is going down the tubes, your marriage is cracking up. you feel like chucking it all. you really don't have too much confidence. it may be because of fatigue – you're just worn out. it may be because of failure. it may be because of fear. i challenge you to let JESUS CHRIST light up your life, let HIM put hope in you.

listen, you really do matter to GOD. HE really does care about you. there's more to life than just getting up, going to work, come home, watch tv, go to bed, get up in the morning, go to work, come home, watch tv, go to bed ... and go to a party on the weekends.

i don't know why you are reading this today. but i do know this, regardless of the fear or the failure or the fatigue or the frustration or the other things that tend to discourage you, GOD has an encouraging word for you today. HE wants to say, "I am with you and I will give you the power to start over and begin a brand new life. not just turn over a new leaf – a brand new life. everything you've ever done wrong could be forgiven, forgotten and start over – just like being born again.

that phrase is used in the bible. some don’t understand that term. but it just means to start over, get a new lease on life. you can have a clear conscious. HE'll not only give you the power to start over, HE will give you the power to keep going. when you feel like hanging it up, throwing in the towel, walking out, HE will give you the power to keep on keeping on. for some of you, the tide in your life is out right now. it may be out but the tide always comes back in. GOD will help you through this.

would you pray a simple prayer in your heart today? you don't have to say it aloud. GOD will hear you. HE knows your heart. HE knows the very thoughts going across your mind. this is between you and GOD. this is the most important decision you'll ever make. would you say, "GOD, i'm not really sure i know YOU or not. but i want to. i want to put my trust in YOU. JESUS CHRIST, i don't understand it all but as much as i know how i ask YOU to come into my life."

you don't have to have all your questions answered to make a simple statement like that. i still have questions. but i'm growing and learning. say, "JESUS CHRIST, as much as i know how, i ask YOU to come into my life. i ask you to forgive all the things i've done wrong. i ask you to help me start over with a clean slate. because YOU are alive today, i ask YOU to give me the power not only to start over but to keep going and to go in the right direction. i want to believe in YOU and trust in YOU. help me to understand it more."

if you prayed that prayer i believe GOD heard you. it's that simple. JESUS made it so simple nobody could say it was too hard to understand. today, if you really meant that in your heart it can be the turning point, a new hope, a new life.

FATHER, thank you for easter. thank you for the difference it makes in our lives. thank you, that the basis for confidence is not all these things the world puts up but it comes from knowing you and knowing that you have a purpose for our lives and that you have a power for our lives too. we pray this in JESUS' name. amen.

just a thought from the front…

the power to keep going…

GOD says, forget the past, focus on the future. your past is past. it's water under the bridge. you can't bring it back. everyone of us have skeletons in our closet and we say, “i wish... what if... if only... i wish i could change that...”

the good news of easter is when JESUS CHRIST came back to life HE shows up with the disciples and HIS very presence gave them the energy, the power to start over. they went from the bottom of the pile to now billions of people are CHRISTians because of 11 men. obviously something happened. what happened was GOD's presence gave them power to start over.

and GOD's power gives me the confidence to keep going. after you start in the right direction, you need power to continue.

everybody wants power. notice all the books on power, how to dress for power, how to eat for power, how to shower with power.

ephesians 1.19 (phillips), how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in GOD. that power is the same divine energy which was demonstrated in CHRIST when HE was raised from the dead.

HE says two things in this verse.

1. the resurrection which billions of CHRISTians are going to celebrate on sunday all around the world, demonstrated how powerful GOD is. JESUS CHRIST resurrected HIMself from the dead.

2. and that same power is available to us.

if GOD can raise JESUS from the dead, then HE can handle any problem i give him. there is no problem too big. and HE specializes in hopeless cases.

but you say, "you don't know my finances." GOD does. "you don't know my health problem... how my marriage is that far away from divorce…what my kids are into." GOD does. and HE specializes in hopeless cases. that's the message of easter. that's the power of easter.

just a thought from the front porch…