| Rely on God's Power |
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Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) Philippians 2:13 (NIV), 2Cor. 3:18
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. *For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. *But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. *For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. *But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
If we could change ourselves, there would have been no need for Jesus to leave Heaven to die for us. But He did. In response, we should bring ourselves and others to a place where we can receive the touch from Jesus that results in transformation. This is what our preaching and meditation on the gospel of Christ does for us and for others. It causes us to focus on the glory of God. As we focus on God's glory, the Spirit of God performs the touch and transformation.Preaching and meditating on the gospel of Christ causes our faith to connect with the abundant grace of God that is able to change and transform us. We must also apply this truth when we pray for people or minister God's power to them. We must not pray or minister as if it were our natural might or power that causes the prayer or declaration to work. The power results from what Christ did on the Cross, not from us. We must resist the temptation to allow others to place their faith and trust on us. On the contrary, their faith should be anchored on what Christ did on the cross. Have faith in God and allow Him to work in and through you. Only God, working in us, can cause us do His will and experience His grace and glory in our lives.
It is very important for us to obey God's leading and to work, but we must never boast about any effort or work we put into practicing God's word and following His instructions. Apostle Paul said in 1Corinthians 15:10 that although he worked more than others, it was not his works that made him what he was; it was the grace of God.
PRAYER FOCUS: Tell God your faith is in His power that is at work in you because of what Christ did for you on the Cross of Calvary.
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