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Scripture for the day: John 14:12-14 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Thought for the day: I shared some thoughts the other day about living a life that displeases God. I’d like to continue with that theme for today, not that we’re trying to earn His favor by the way we live our lives, but because He is worthy of our best efforts. The other day we were reminded that a life of unrest displeases God because discontent and agitation steals our joy. We were also reminded that a life without peace displeases God. We may live in a situation where the whole world seems to be coming apart at the seams, but if the Lord is God there ought to be a deep-seated sense of peace in the midst of the storm.
Today, let’s go on. A life of failure displeases God. Look again at today’s scripture. Jesus promised His followers that, for all He’d done in their presence, they would do even more when the Spirit of God enabled them. Because He would be at the Father’s side, interceding for them, they could be assured of all the power needed to live their lives to the fullest. In other words, “If you will believe, there’s nothing you can’t do. Period.
When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he said, “I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.” He wasn’t talking about taking the world by storm and pastoring a mega-church somewhere. He was talking about living through the worst that life could produce and maintaining his faith in the midst of it all. He took seriously the words of Jesus when He said, “To the one who truly believes, nothing will be impossible.” He believed the promise when he was being beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, thrown into prison and rejected by the very people of God. Now that’s victory; that’s a successful life.
Finally, a life without power displeases God. Acts 2:8 reminds us that Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses.” Well, ten days later the Spirit did come and they did witness for Him, all over the known world. Later, the church prayed for Paul and Silas as they prepared to go out with the gospel. They left with the power of the Spirit upon them and changed the world. We have been promised this same gift of power and the only reason we don’t have it is that we don’t claim it.
There is but one reason for living a life that displeases God – unbelief, pure and simple. We all have a thousand excuses, but they all boil down to fear, and fear is rooted in unbelief. Perhaps the saddest words in the church today are these: “God would, but you would not.” Listen, Jesus said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Paul prayed for the Ephesians, that they might understand the love and power of God in their lives, that they were attached to a Savior “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
So, what’s the alternative to living a life that displeases God? We must be willing to claim our heritage. We are, by the authority of God, “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Knowing beyond a doubt that I am adopted into the family provides contentment, peace, assurance and power enough to overcome whatever the world may cast in my direction, to impact my world rather than being impacted by it. The same heritage is yours if you know Him.
Now go take on your world. - Bill