Word of the Week - Empowered
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Ephesians 3:16
To Empower simply means to give someone the power or authority to do something. I think it is important to be reminded that God almighty through His son Jesus and the Holy Spirit has empowered each of us. As believers we have access to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, WOW!!!!! As we live day to day it is easy to forget that we are empowered by God through faith to do even greater things in the name of Jesus. “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father will be glorified in the Son. You may ask anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:12-14 I attended the Fellowship of Companies for Christ International (FCCI) annual conference https://www.fcciconf2022.com this week in Amelia Island, FL and the theme of the conference was “Empowered to Serve”. I was reminded that God has empowered each of us for great purpose in Christ.
Here are just a few ways that we are Empowered as Christ followers.
Empowered to be overcomers and live in victory
“Who is that who overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” 1 John 5:5 If you have lived any life you know that you will face adversity and challenges. God in His divine wisdom created us to be in relationship with himself so we could access His divine power to be able to overcome the challenges we will face and live in victory. This is the life of an empowered believer. No matter how strong we are in our own abilities, we cannot live in victory without the power of the spirit of God living within us. For believers we see the challenges of life as opportunities to see God’s power at work in our lives. This is the process of sanctification and becoming more Christlike. If we depend on Him, we will find victory through the trials as outlined in James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”.
Empowered to be salt and light to others
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. Matthew 5:16 The Lord has put each of us on this earth at this time for a specific assignment and purpose. He empowers us so that we can do what He has called us to do and play our unique part in building His kingdom. As we walk out our faith day to day by the power of the Holy Spirit and do what God has called us to do, we become salt and light to those around us. We have the opportunity and responsibility to be a positive influence on the world around us, our circle of influence. This is especially true if we are in positions of leadership. As we tap into God’s spirit and divine economy through our daily abiding walk with Christ, He empowers us through faith to make an eternal impact and do way more than we could ever imagine doing by our own talents and power. This is one of my favorite verses because I see it happening and it is so encouraging. God is doing way more than I could ever imagine by His power at work in my life. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask ore imagine, according to His power that is work within in us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
Empowered to Serve
“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many” Matthew 20:28 God has empowered us through His son Jesus to love and serve others just as Jesus modeled for us. Though there are amazing benefits to being empowered by God, He does not give us this power for ourselves. He gives us this power so we can live out His great commandment “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all of your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself” Luke 10:26 And, so we can fulfill the great commission, “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20
God in His divine goodness empowers us to use all that He has given us including our gifts, talents, relationships, resources, businesses etc…for His purpose and mission. He also encourages us to partner with others as a body of believers because we are much better together, not to mention it is much more fulfilling to do life in community with others. I love 1 Timothy 6:17-19 as I believe it gives us clarity on why the Lord empowers us. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life”.
Have a great week.
-Duane