APP: Most people want power to improve their lives. Some want power to get what they want—whether it’s bling, money, or even love. Others want to get vengeance on people who’ve hurt them. Some people think power represents glam and fame. Infomercial gurus claim that there’s a hidden power deep within us that we need to learn how to develop. Others believe we can draw energy from nature. Practitioners use a wide variety of objects, such as crystals, stones, candles, and herbs. Some even make use of chants, spells, and poetry to gain power. This can all sound intriguing, but if we lack the power in ourselves to start with—to change our lives, help us cope, or whatever else the specific need might be—it’s crazy to think that we’ll be able to conjure up some untapped reservoir deep inside us. Holding a rock or crystal, chanting, burning colored candles, or even reciting poetry isn’t going to help. The energy we need for living has to come from a source outside ourselves. The source of power must be bigger than us, and has to be unlimited. The source of this power is the living God. Have you looked at some of the characteristics of God described in the Bible that describe His limitless power that is able to overcome even the most insurmountable problems?
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 TIMOTHY 1:7 NKJV
Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
ECCLESIASTES 7:19 NIV
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
EPHESIANS 6:10–11 NLT
“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.”
1 CHRONICLES 29:11–12 NLT
“But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.”
JOB 12:13 NLT