The Source of Real Power

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5 (NIV)

Do you want to make a difference in your life but just can't seem to get there? Do you want to see a change in a situation but it just doesn't seem to happen? Where do you find the real power to make a real difference in your life?

Jesus teaches us that real power is found in one of the strangest, most unexpected places. Real power is found in meekness.

Now when we talk about meekness, or gentleness, we tend to think of something sweet and gentle like a lamb or a baby. But, in God's dictionary, meek does not mean weak. It means "power under control."

Imagine it this way, it's like a rocket launching off a pad. If you took the same amount of energy and created an explosion, it would destroy the launch pad. But because that energy is funneled in a certain direction, it is instead able to launch the rocket into space.

That's what God wants to do in your life. He wants to take the power you have in your words, emotions and drive, and put it under control. But it's your choice. You have three ways you can choose to live your life.

1. The out-of-control life. This kind of living destroys everything around you. It's explosive with a lot of anger, issues, destructive power and undisciplined actions. It may seem like a lot is happening, but it leads to destruction in all areas.
2. The in-control life. In this type of living, you try to control every aspect of your life. This approach will leave you tired and stressed out as you realize you can't keep everything in check.
3. The under-God's-control life. In this type of living, you take the power God has given you and you give it back to him. You stop trying to control everything yourself. Under God's control, you can be used in ways you never thought were possible.

Can you guess which way of living will be the most fruitful? When we submit our life to God's control it will produce the fruit Paul talked about in Galatians 5:22-23, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (NIV).


by Tom Holladay

Prayers Have an Impact

“God hears us whenever we ask Him and we know also that He gives us what we ask from Him.” 1 John 5:15 (GNT)

Prayer works because God is in control. The basis of all miracles is God's sovereignty.

Do you ever wonder if prayer really works?  You’re praying about something and Satan whispers to you, “This is a waste of time. Forget it!  Who do you think you are?  What do you think you’re doing?  God is not listening. Don’t waste your time.”

Prayer works because God is in control. The basis of all miracles is God’s sovereignty.  Why does He do one and not another?  Because God is in control.  We have to trust His wisdom and His goodness.

Ephesians 3:20 says, “God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes.” (LB)

Prayer can do whatever God can do.  His resources are available to you.  Twenty times in the New Testament it says, “Ask.”  It’s encouraging to know that things that are out of my control are not out of God’s.  I may not be able to change a situation, but I can pray and God can change it. 

by Rick Warren

Parenting with the Lord's Prayer: God Protects

“… but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13 NIV)

But the things that are out of your control are not out of God's control. So pray!

There is no doubt that this world is becoming increasing unsafe for our children. It is less safe for my grandkids than it was for my kids. And it was less safe for my kids than it was for me when I was growing up. And it was less safe for me than it was for my parents when they were growing up. Remember when you could go outside and play without parental supervision? Ride your bike to the park by yourself?

There are all kinds of problems, sins … wackos, and weirdos out there. And there are all kinds of ways that evil can get to your child in your own home through the Internet, television, and things on their phones.

So how do you protect your children from evil? Well, unfortunately, you can’t always control everything that happens to your kids because they’re not in your sight all the time, and they won’t be.

But the things that are out of your control are not out of God’s control. So pray! That’s why prayer is so important. You need to pray for your children every day. You need to pray with them before they go to prom and you need to pray with them before the first day of school. You need to pray, “deliver us from evil,” because God’s answer to our fear is his power. He can deliver.