Category Archives: Power

Bible, Disobedience, Kingdom, Kings, Obedience, Power, Scripture, Sin

A NEW KING

ROMANS 6:12

“Therefore sin is not to reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,”

Every year we see new champions emerge in various sports. I am a huge college football fan, so I will be watching to see who wins this year’s national championship. Will Ohio State, the current “king,” repeat or will there be a new “king”? Of course, I am hoping my Georgia Bulldogs pull it out again. In the end, though, whatever team wins the title, it won’t have an eternal value. It’s just football.

In contrast, the new king in our life as followers of Christ means a huge eternal value for us. Up until we surrendered to Christ, sin was the king of our life. It ruled and reigned. But…when Christ came into our lives, sin’s dominion was over. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. Paul is telling us plainly that we have a new king – King Jesus. He now reigns in us and has filled us with His Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says this about the Greek word for “reign,” “The verb frames redemption as a transfer of government—from the tyrannical rule of sin and death to the liberating sovereignty of grace.” One commentator noted that Paul did NOT say that sin would not still be present. That’s a fact we have to live with until we go to heaven. But we are to not allow it to reign anymore.

Do you remember playing “King of the Mountain” when you were little? A group of kids find a small hill and take turns being “the king” on top while the others try to push him/her off and take their place. Man, I can remember the feeling of being on top and successfully defending my “throne.” However, when a bunch of them teamed up, they were able to “dethrone” me.

When we make Jesus King of our lives, I promise you the demons of hell will team up to try to dethrone Him in your life. Of course, they can’t do that, but they can make your life miserable if you pay them attention, if you allow them an inch of ground. Do not let sin reign in your body. It has no power over you as a follower of Christ. Yield to Christ’s reign and trust His power in your life.

Thank You, Lord, for putting King Jesus in my life.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Power, Powerless, Scripture, Sin, Victors

DONE AWAY WITH

ROMANS 6:6

“knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;”

When I was growing up, my dad had an old step-side Chevrolet pickup with three-on-the-tree. Do you know what that is? That’s a 3 speed manual transmission that you shift on the side of the steering column. I loved that old truck. I learned to drive in that truck. The only thing wrong with that truck was occasionally the second gear would hang up when we tried to shift from first to second. When that happened, the truck would be in neutral or in between gears which made it powerless.  We would have to coast to the side of the road, raise the hood and jiggle the shifter loose. Those were the good old days, lol.

Paul uses a word in today’s verse that gives that same picture. The phrase “done away with” is the Greek word katargéō, and it  means “to make completely inoperative or to put out of use.” (TDNT) Paul is telling us here that because we have been crucified with Christ sin no longer has power over us. Our old sinful body is essentially thrown into neutral. We are freed from the bonds of sin.

APPLICATION

This word is used 27 times in the New Testament, all but two by Paul. In Hebrews 2:14, the writer says that Christ through His death “might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Christ threw the devil into neutral regarding his power over us in regard to sin. Because of Christ’s victory over death, the devil is powerless to exercise his control over us. Hallelujah!

The other time this word is used other than by Paul is in Luke 13:7 when Jesus was telling the parable about the unproductive fig tree. He said, “‘Why does it even use up the ground?’” The tree was making the soil unproductive or powerless. I want us to zero in on this thought. We have been given the promise of power over sin, but just like I did when I jumped out of my dad’s truck to throw that truck back into gear, we have the choice to throw sin back into our lives, giving it power over us. This robs the good soil from producing fruit in our lives.

I’ve known many people who came to Christ and gained victory over sin and then turned back to it. Drug addicts have a tendency to do that. They get clean, get saved and then make the terrible choice to sin again. Those drugs have no power over them unless they choose to give it. You need to choose today what you will do when you face that temptation. Will you throw sin back into gear and give it power over you or will you refuse to yield to it, making it powerless? The choice is yours. Choose wisely.

Lord God, I only want Your power in my life, not the ugly power of sin.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Empty, Power, Powerless, Righteousness, Scripture, Useless

EMPTIED

ROMANS 4:14

“For if those who are of the Law are heirs, then faith is made void and the promise is nullified;”

As I read this verse today, a picture came into my mind of a car. I just got back yesterday from a day of driving to and from another city. It was about a two hour drive each way. Did you know that the speed of my truck had nothing to do with how hard I pressed the gas pedal? That’s right. How fast I went was determined by the fuel that was in the tank. If my truck did not have any fuel, I could press that pedal through the floorboard and it would not go anywhere. But when the source of the power is present, the engine fires, the transmission kicks in and the tires turn. Fuel is the key, not the pedal.

That is a very rough analogy for today’s verse. Our justification goes nowhere without faith in Jesus. All the works we accomplish (pressing the pedal) will get us nowhere. But when the power source (faith in Jesus) is present, we have the righteousness of God upon us. We reach our destination (heaven) because of the source that is in us.

APPLICATION

“Paul warns that reliance on Torah observance would kekenotai (“render empty”) both faith and promise. The term stresses how human works cannot coexist as instrumental causes of justification; introducing law-keeping would drain the gospel of its power and make God’s covenantal word ineffective. This verse undergirds the Reformation emphasis on sola fide, demonstrating that grace and law-merit are mutually exclusive avenues to inheritance.” (Topical Lexicon) Pretty clear explanation of the word “void” in today’s verse.

This word for “void” is found in four other locations in the New Testament (all by Paul). In 1 Corinthians 1:17 we read, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made of no effect.” There’s the word again, this time translated as “no effect.”

My favorite use of the word, however, is found in Philippians 2:7. Look at the verse in context in verses 5-7. “5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.”  He “emptied” Himself. He gave up His glory to become man for us. Wow! What can you empty yourself of today?

More of You and less of me, dear Lord. Help me empty myself of my own power and allow Your power to flow through me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Belief, Bible, Existence, God's Will, Power, Scripture

DO YOU BELIEVE?

ROMANS 3:3

“What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?”

One great response to someone who says, “I don’t believe in God” is “Well, He believes in you.” You see, our belief in the Creator of the universe does not change the fact of His existence. God is God – period. He wants us to believe in Him, but He doesn’t need us to believe in Him to accomplish what He wants to do here on earth. If our unbelief could thwart God’s Will, He would not be a very powerful God, would He?

Paul points out in today’s verse the fact that some do not believe in God, but that their unbelief doesn’t “nullify” God’s faithfulness to us. That word “nullify” is the Greek word katargeó. It means to render entirely idle or useless. Paul is saying that what we believe or don’t believe about God does not make Him any less powerful.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says, “The verb carries the sense of causing something to lose its operative power: to render idle, inoperative, useless, or to bring to nothing.” What kind of God would He be if our belief or unbelief determined His power? I am reminded of God’s discourse with Job at the end of that book. In Job 38 God begins to question Job. You can read chapters 38-41 to get the full discourse. Look at 38:2-4 and see just a little. “2 ‘Who is this who darkens the divine plan by words without knowledge? 3 Now tighten the belt on your waist like a man, and I shall ask you, and you inform Me! 4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,’”

We have no right to question God’s existence. We may not understand a lot about God, but all we have to do to fix that is ask Him. Do you think God is playing with us? Do you think He wants to keep us in the dark about Who He is? Of course, not. He wants us to know Him fully. Our doubts and unbelief limit our knowledge of Him.

Ask the Lord today to show you more of Himself, if you’re ready for that. God desires to reveal more and more of Himself to you. All you have to do is come to Him and seek Him. Matthew 7:7 tells us, “‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.’” Jesus meant that when He said it, and it still holds true today. Believe and see!

Lord, show me more of You so that I show others.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Might, Power, Scripture, Strength

SPIRITUAL MUSCLES

PHILIPPIANS 4:13

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Read that verse again. I really prefer the literal Greek. It reads, “(For) all things I have strength in the (One) strengthening me.” That shows that we have no power in ourselves. No amount of muscle building will enable us. No amount of fasting and praying on our own will do it. There is nothing we can do on our own. But…(don’t you just love that word) we can do all things in Him.

Paul uses two different Greek words in this short verse to talk about power and strength. The first one is translated here as “I can do.” That’s the word ischuówhich means embodied strength that engages the resistance. In other words, this is the fighting strength the Lord gives us to do His work even in the face of opposition. The other word Paul uses is endunamoó which is translated “strengthen.” It implies the empowerment we receive from the Lord. Let’s look at those two words a bit.

APPLICATION

Let’s take the last one first, endunamoó. Picture a body builder. You can see the muscles rippling and his chiseled body. You can just imagine the power he has to lift weights. But all you see right now is the result of the empowering from hours and hours of weightlifting. You know the power is there. Paul uses this same word in Ephesians 6:10 where he says, “be strong in the Lord.” Trust the power that is within you.

The other word, ischuóis the picture of that same body builder lifting those weights. You see him bend down and pick up that enormous weight. You see him straining but keeping on. That is us in our fight against the forces of evil. We use the power within from the Lord and bust that devil right in the mouth, lol. Paul uses this word in Ephesians 6:10 also when he says, “of His might.” It’s God doing the fighting, not us.

So, with that thought in mind, why do we fear? Why do we worry? Why do we run and hide at the face of a trial? We have God’s power in us and have ability to yield it. Check out 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, if you don’t believe me. It’s one of my favorite passages and gives me the confidence each day to trust Him in every battle. You can also.

Father, You have strengthened me beyond my imagination. The same power You used to create the universe is within me. Hallelujah.

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Bible, Death, Knowledge, Power, Resurrection, Scripture, Suffering

SUFFERING AND DEATH

PHILIPPIANS 3:10

“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;”

There are a lot of people I can’t wait to get to know when I get to heaven. How exactly did it smell inside that fish, Jonah? Paul, did you write Hebrews? And Jesus, what was your childhood like? Even though I want to get to know all the saints in heaven, I do not want to experience all the trials they had here on earth. But in today’s verse, Paul says exactly that.

The word Paul uses for “know” is ginóskó. This Greek word for “know” is to know especially through personal experience. It’s the word used when Mary said she had not known a man yet. But Paul isn’t just talking about knowing Jesus and learning more about Him. He says to know “the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.” And Paul did experience his own sufferings and eventual death by beheading.

APPLICATION

If I asked you to join me in my sufferings and death for Jesus, what would you do? Probably run as fast as you could away from me. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 4:12-13, “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; 13  but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed.”

Now, that sounds absolutely crazy, right? Rejoice in sufferings? James says the same thing in James 1:2-4. “Consider it all joy…” Have these writers of God’s Word lost it? Of course not. They are simply penning the very thoughts and words of God. God is telling us to rejoice in these sufferings. Rejoice if you are called on to give up your life for Jesus. Then you will fully know Him.

Okay Carl, I’m not planning on doing that any time soon, so how can I know Him more fully today? Die to self! Crucify your flesh! Die to every selfish desire you have and give it all to Him. When you do suffer a trial of some sort, trust Him in it and give Him praise. Do you want to really know Jesus? Then you have to join him in his suffering and death. Come to Him. Let Him show Himself to you.

Father, I will rejoice in the trials that come my way knowing that You have allowed them to purify me.

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Bible, Power, Purpose, Scripture, Striving

BIBLICAL STRIVING

COLOSSIANS 1:29

“For this purpose I also labor, striving according to His power which works mightily within me.”

The thought of striving tires me out, lol. As I have gotten older, it takes less and less to make me tired. I don’t know about you, but when I bend down to pick something up, I always look around to see if I need to do anything else while I am down there. Just saying! So, when Paul talks about striving today, I was a little nervous.

Today’s verse is linked back to the previous verse by the phrase “for this purpose.” Actually, in the Greek, it reads “for this” which refers back to verse 28 (take a second and go back read that verse). Paul says he labors or toils, but then he clarifies this. He says, “striving according to His power.” Paul knew we could accomplish nothing outside the power of Christ “which works mightily within me.”

APPLICATION

Strong’s Lexicon gives a great explanation of the Greek word for “striving.” “The verb agónizomai conveys the idea of engaging in a struggle or contest, often with a sense of intense effort or determination. In the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to describe the spiritual and moral effort required in the Christian life. It implies a sense of perseverance and dedication in the face of challenges, akin to an athlete competing in a race or a soldier in battle.”

This word is used 8 times in the New Testament. Let’s look at a couple. In 1 Corinthians 9:25, we see it used in this way. “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” It’s compared to the physical activity of an athlete in games. So, it can involve physical exertion.

 In 1 Timothy 6:12, we see an even harder usage. “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” It’s actually used to talk about fighting. If you don’t know we are in a battle with spiritual forces of darkness, you have already lost that fight.

How are you striving? If you attempt to strive in your own might, you won’t make it. If you only half-heartedly strive, you will fall. If you don’t know against whom you are striving, you will lose those battles. Realize it is His power in you that strives. Submit yourself to Him and win.

Father, I thank You that I am not striving alone. I know You have my back.

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Bible, Patience, Perseverance, Power, Scripture, Strength

STRENGTHENED FOR WHAT?

COLOSSIANS 1:11

“strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience;” 

People lift weights and build muscle for a variety of reasons. Some do it to make their work easier. Others do it because they just enjoy working out. Still others do it to compete in muscle building contests. I know a few people in that latter category. They aren’t showboats or braggarts. They just love to compete, and this is their way of doing that. This type of training takes a lot of time. They have to persevere through pain and have to be patient as they see the results of their workouts.

Paul tells us today that we are to be “strengthened with all power.” Whose power? Well, Paul knew of only one source of true power – God. He prays for His power to strengthen us. The particular Greek word Paul uses here for “strengthened” is dunamoó. It “implies an infusion of strength or power, typically from an external source, such as God or the Holy Spirit, enabling individuals to perform tasks or endure situations beyond their natural capacity.” (Strong’s Lexicon) This particular form of this Greek word is only used twice in the New Testament. Here and also in Hebrews 11:34 referring to the faithful saints who were made strong in their weakness.

APPLICATION

How has the Lord strengthened you? Has He given you the strength to persevere through trials, to be patient in the midst of chaos? Think for just a minute about the last trial you went through. Maybe you are in one right now. As you pray about these trials, how does the Lord strengthen you? What does He say to you as you pour out your heart to Him?

The Greek word for “perseverance” means to be faithful under pressure. It means to trust in the promises of God, even though you cannot see a way out. It is total reliance on Him to see you through. You just keep putting one foot in front of another. It’s not blind faith because you know the one who is leading you. It’s patience in the midst of circumstances.

The word used for “patience” here is often translated as “long-suffering.” This word refers to patience with people. We all have people who can push our buttons, don’t we? That’s what this word is for. It can mean to show forbearance. It’s not just putting up with that person. It’s seeing them through God’s eyes and not our passion. Try that this week with family!

Who strengthens you? I think you know the answer to that. Trust His strength which is given to you as just the right time.

Father, strengthen me today so I can show perseverance and patience in my circumstances and towards others.

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Bible, Fighting, Power, Scripture, Strength

IN WHOSE POWER?

EPHESIANS 6:10

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”

When I was in junior high and high school, I loved to lift weights. We had a great weightlifting coach who pushed us to get bigger and stronger. The results were phenomenal. I was benching twice my weight and deadlifting three to four times my weight. There is not one trace of all that work today. Why? Because I did not keep lifting.

Hmmm! Today’s verse talks about power and strength. In fact, there are three different Greek words used here by Paul. Why did he do that, or should I say why did the Spirit inspire him to use three different Greek words? Well, these three words carry different meanings of power or strength. Let’s take a look.

APPLICATION

The first word Paul uses is “be strong.” It is the Greek word, endynamóō, which means to impart ability or make able, to be empowered. This word is used by Paul in his letter to the Romans. In Romans 4:20 Paul is talking about Abraham and said, “yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,” So, this word means to have the ability or power.

The next word used is “strength” which is the Greek word, krátos which is dominion or exerted power. We find this word over in 1 Peter 4:11, “Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” We saw the ability in the first power. Here we see that power exerted.

Finally, Paul uses another word, “might.” This is ischus, which carried a different definition. It means might or strength that can be seen but not necessarily exerted at the time. Think of a body builder just standing there flexing his muscles. You see the might or strength, but he has done anything to show just how strong he is. The word is used in 2 Thessalonians 1:9. It says, “These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,”

Three different words all showing the different aspects of strength or might or power. Isn’t it great how the Holy Spirit used Paul to pen these words so carefully to display God’s greatness? We will get into the Armor of God in the next several days. Hang on!

Father, Your power is limitless. We know that. Thank You that Your power does not diminish. 

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Abiding, Bible, Power, Scripture, Strength, Submission

STRENGTHENED INWARDLY

EPHESIANS 3:16

“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self,”

I began walking again this summer. Why is that a big deal? Because I have pretty severe neuropathy in my feet. It can get painful at times, so I was hesitant to start walking again. I discovered something recently. The days I don’t walk my feet hurt worse. It seems the walking is stimulating the nerves in my feet in a positive way rather than causing more pain. Who would have thought that? I still have to be careful how I walk as I can trip easily since I can’t really feel my toes. But I am thankful my feet seem to be getting strengthened inwardly.

That fits our verse today. Paul explains to us that the Lord strengthens us “with power through His Spirit in the inner self.” I have never doubted that. Have you? The Greek word translated as “strengthened” is krataioó. It means “to prevail by God’s dominating strength, i.e. as His power prevails over opposition (gains mastery).” (HELPS Word studies. I was once told that when you see a Greek verb ending in “oo,” the emphasis is more about the result of the action rather than the action itself. The result of God’s prevailing power in our lives through the Holy Spirit is what Paul is talking about.

APPLICATION

In regards to the statement “in the inner man,” Albert Barnes says this, “The ‘body’ needs to be strengthened every day. In like manner the soul needs constant supplies of grace. Piety needs to be constantly invigorated, or it withers and decays. Every Christian needs grace given each day to enable him to bear trials, to resist temptation, to discharge his duty, to live a life of faith.” I need my daily Quiet Time. Without it, I wither on the vine. I need the daily nourishment.

In Romans 7:14-25, we read about Paul’s struggle with the inner man of flesh. Take a few minutes and read that passage. But we read this in verse 22, “For I joyfully agree with the law of God in the inner person,” Paul knew it was all about submission to God, to His Spirit. We can fight with our inner self and lose every time. Or we can submit our inner self to God and let His power strengthen us.

Paul also uses krataioó in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” God will strengthen us, but we must submit, we must be on the alert, we must stand firm in the faith. Let the Lord strengthen you today as you face those giants in your life. He may just put a sling and stones in your hand.

I know any power I have to defeat sin comes from You, O Lord. 

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