Plugged In

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” – Ephesians 3:16. (NLT)

There are a number of theories on how to generate more power in a baseball swing. Most include the same ideas, but in slightly different applications and theory. The primary ingredients are lower-body weight transfer, hip torque or power, wrists and bat speed. Using the right techniques will generate more power.

As Christians, we have a unique resource. On those days where we don’t feel empowered, or when you feel as if your inner strength has been sapped, God has unlimited power that can take care of all that.

As we studied in our previous teaching series, sometimes it is in our weakness that God does his greatest work. “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)

Isaiah 40: 28-31 (NLT) tells us: “Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

We can use that unlimited power to build our character. First, let me define character briefly. Character is often defined as a collection of personality traits within our behavior that shows who we are. This is shown in our integrity, attitude, moral fiber, disposition, and how we interact with each other. Christian character is not just a personality or our disposition; it is a description of who we are as a Christian, what we are called to be in our life. Our character summarizes the essence of our walk with Christ being exhibited back to Him and then to others. Our character can grow or shrivel as our growth and faith formation in Christ is applied or blocked. That is why we need to be plugged into the power of God.

People are drawn to the manifest presence of Christ. They were drawn to the power that Christ displayed while He walked this earth. Today, people are drawn to the power of Christ within us.

Tap God’s unlimited resources and you will find strength you never knew was available. My prayer is that you will walk in God’s power today.

Discussion Question:

1. How can we use the power of God to refine and develop our character?
2. Who has the most influence on your character? How do they influence you? What is the one quality you have seen in others that you would like to have as part of your character? What is one thing you could do to develop that quality?
3. How does having a good character help a person in life? How did it help you?
4. Complete the following two questions twice: I used to be…but now I am?
5. Pray and ask God to help you plug into His power everyday.