Exhortations

Power is a Gift

Power comes in many ways…

Power is the ability to do something or act in a particular way; also means the capacity or ability to direct or influence people or course of events; it could also mean a supply of mechanical or electric energy or great speed and more.  When we hear this word, we already think of the great capability of the person possessing this ability.  

Power of awareness, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, power of the mind the whole nine yards are gifts from God. The gift of inspiration is a powerful force towards our goal. When we use the power righteously given to us will please the giver of life. God is our all in all and when we abuse the power given to us there is no doubt in my view that it will lead to destruction. We should not be distracted by the influence of people to continue the goodwill of our action of their misdeeds, slander, or backbiting, but instead, continue to use the power to encourage them to draw back to God.

When life is a struggle use the power of calmness, the power to think to turn the feelings of struggle into winning by conquering the root that caused it with the help of the Holy Spirit within. Sometimes there is no quick solution but we need to be resilient as the Bible says in Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Joshua has been reminded in 1:9 ESV—“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” These are the anointed men of God and being human sometimes needs to be reminded. We are being succumbed to by our weaknesses and forget the one that brought us here with a purpose.

Why will God give us power if we cannot use it? Why will He promise us and don’t get it?  Freedom of Will is so powerful that oftentimes we disobey it, same as the law mandated by the human government. The use of Free Will is our response to God when we are in the situation to choose to do or not to do the forbidden action. Like in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve used their Free Will against the Will of God and the outcome of that choice can be felt until today.

There was one time in the history of humanity that people have one language, culture, and tradition and they work with one mind and one spirit and the power of being one drove them to built a tower and later called the tower of Babel to protect them if there will be a second deluge (flood).  The power of being united can lead to the human desire to reach and be equal to God, and God went down from heaven and scattered humans with diverse languages that cause the tower not to be completed.

If power is given to a specific human race, there is a tendency that this will be abused and used to gain territorial expansion, practice slavery, wrong treatment of less fortunate, and this abuse of power would develop like a  normal way of life. God wants us to use the power, not against the powerless but to equip the kingdoms under God coupled with knowledge, and understanding the literal adaptation of the kingdoms will be achieved. 

Power in the Bible has a deeper and wider meaning than we can imagine. Physical, mental, and spiritual power is embedded in the human body.  It’s the human strength to communicate and do something for a living, the strength of the mind to seek and acknowledge the spiritual gift, and the power to protect our faith through him who strengthens us.

As Paul wrote to Timothy “For God gave us a spirit, not of fear but power and love and self-control” If this is not enough read what Isaiah 40:29-31 said—“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted, but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Let us be a blessing to others and the power of God will bless us. God promises that “He will bless those who bless thee.”

God is all in all!

Bishop Joseph

Dr. Joseph Vitug, Ph.D. - Bishop Emeritus

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