Chapter 3: We Have God’s Power

God Has Equipped Us With The Energy To Fulfill

Philippians 2:13 (AMPC)[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

I remember when Energizer, the battery company, had a commercial in which a motorized rabbit kept going and going and going, beating its drum. The commercial showed that the batteries provided an endless source of energy for that rabbit. We must all understand that God is our source. God is our supply line. Everything outside of God is just a resource that came from the source.

At times, we all felt exhausted, frustrated, and at our wits' end. When you get to this place, you begin to analyze everything around you. You basically do a checkup from the neck up. God wants you to know that you don't have to do it in your own strength; He will supply all you need to get through. He will provide all the energy you will ever need to fulfill the task that He has for you.

Psalm 3:3 (AMPC)But You, "O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head".

This morning when you got out of bed, did you understand that it was only by the grace of God that you got up? So, if you are reading this book, God has a purpose and a plan for you. You are not an accident; your parents may or may not have expected you, but our heavenly Father did.

Wisdom Keys

We Must Cast Our Cares On Him

1 Peter 5:7 (AMPC)Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

I ask you today, why are you discouraged?

Why are you downtrodden? Why are you stressed out?

Why are you taking an antidepressant? Why are you taking sleeping pills?

The bottom line is, you are carrying and not casting. The Bible clearly says that we are to cast and not carry. Every now and then, I go fishing with my family. First, let me give a disclaimer: I am not much of a fisherman—yet. The one thing I have realized is that you will never catch fish waiting for them to jump into the boat. You must bait the hook and cast out your line.

"Jomo," you might ask, "What are you trying to say?" There are some steps that you must take to see the manifestation of the promises of God. Too many of us are waiting on God to do everything for us, when God has given us a plan to deal with certain challenges in our lives. So today,

Cast out your worries and God will give you wisdom.

Cast out your fears and God will give you faith.

Cast out your problems and God will give you His promise.

Romans 8:31 (AMPC)"What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]"

Once you realize that it's not you but God working through you, you can cast all your cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).

We Must Cast Our Burdens On Him

Matthew 11:28 (AMPC)Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

When Jesus says, "Come to Me," He is letting us know who our source is. Psalm 23 says the Lord is our shepherd and we shall not want. God wants us to rest in Him. Many of us are carrying burdens God never intended for us to carry. Understand this, this verse does not eliminate responsibility but gives us the grace to handle it by faith.

Matthew 11:29-30 (AMPC)Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

Jesus is giving us an option to make an exchange with Him. That's amazing! On October 31, 2010, my mother went to be with the Lord. On November 1, 2011, my father went to be with the Lord. Both my parents were not old, but God said, "Time's up." In this trying season of my life, many people asked me how I was handling the grief. I tell you, the only way I could was to give it to God. I gave Him my tears, and He gave His truth. I gave Him my fears, and He gave His faith. I gave Him my questions, and He gave me revelation. When I didn't want to get up, it was God all the while keeping me. So, my brothers and sisters, regardless of what season of life you are in, but understand Jesus is giving you a chance to trade in your weakness for His strength.

We Must Understand He Is Our Power Source

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (AMPC)Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me; But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

In this passage we see Paul in a weakened condition, asking God to help. This is the great Apostle who wrote two-thirds of the New Testaments. This passage lets me know that everyone goes through seasons of trials. Have you been there before? I know I have. Notice that the Word of God tells us God works through our issues. God is our strength and our power source. God's grace is sufficient for any trial or tribulation you may go through. Remember, we have a Savior who was tried and made it through, as stated in Hebrews 4:15:

Hebrews 4:15 (AMPC)For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.