POWER

Theme 10/11/2017 Admin

THEME: POWER Isaiah 40:28-31 “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the...

THEME: POWER

Isaiah 40:28-31

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

INSIGHT

-Power in Hebrew is written as toqeph & dunamis in Greek. It means strength, honor, might, potency, force, divinity, ability, capacity, competence, dominion, rule, administration, authority, control, territory and government. Several scripture have outlined the word power as: – ability to performing miracles (Acts 6:8; Mat 10:1), symbol of authority over unclean spirits (Mk 6:7), object of safety as in; power above the enemy and nothing will injure you (Lk 10:19). God has power over Babylon (Dan 4:29-32), God has power to help us in battle (2 chro 25:8). Wealth and honor, strength and power come from God (1 Chro 29:12), God’s power is perfected in our weakness as Christ lives in us (2 Cor 12:9; Col 1:29) and all power belong to God (Rev 7:12, 19:1) etc

-God having created all things, He has all potency and power to change any situation and influence all things in heaven and on earth. In His merciful love; He gives us strength when we are weak and weary. When we wait on the Lord, He shall renew our strength. We shall mount up with wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint, for when we are weak then we are strong for His power is perfected in our weakness.

PRAYER

Thank You Lord for You are good and Your mercies endures forever. We praise You Jesus in all the heavens and the earth. We praise You above all the hosts and angels. We praise You Lord with all our hearts for all power belongs to You Lord. Be with all those who are suffering all over the world merciful Father and settle the hearts of those who have lost their loved ones in West Pokot. You have given us strength when we are weak, we thank You Abba Father. Renew our strength and heal all our wounds Jesus, for Your love endures forever. We shall run and not be weary, for Your love endures forever. We shall walk and not faint, for Your love endures forever. All the kings of the earth shall praise You O Lord, for Your love endures forever. We praise Your name Lord for have won victory for us, and Your love endures forever. We magnify You Lord above all the heavens and the earth, for Your love endures forever. Amen

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

INSIGHT
-Power in Hebrew is written as toqeph & it means strength, might, potency, force, divinity, ability, capacity, competence, dominion, rule, administration, authority, control, territory & government. Power & authority are mutually exclusive for they go hand in hand. Power is defined as a dynamic force with influence & authority is the legal right to exercise it. Knowledge & money are often equated to power. The ultimate power belongs to God i.e. God is all powerful, a consuming fire, light of the world, living water, life etc.
-Power has been bestowed to all human beings in the plurality of persons in the Divine Unit, the Father, Son & the Holy Spirit. Likewise man is a tripartite being with a body, soul & spirit. In his superiority, man communicates directly to his Maker through his spirit & often led in holiness through the righteousness of God unlike animals. In the same breadth, Christ Who has defeated sin & death redeemed us from the power of sin as it is written, sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace (Rom 6:14).

PRAYER
Dear Lord our Father, through Whom is all power & authority, we humbly beseech You. With thanksgiving in our hearts we praise You & worship You for Your goodness & mercy upon our lives. Purify our hearts & minds by Your blood that we may always be reconciled to You. Lead us throughout the week in Your wisdom & grace, that we may do Your will. All glory, honor, riches, power & authority belongs to You, Lord. Amen

Exodus 9:16

But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.

INSIGHT
-Egypt was a nation rich in mineral resources, fertile land because of river Nile, abundant food, indigenous trees & magnificent pyramids, & was named among the most powerful kingdoms. Moses was thereby ordered to deliver this message to Pharaoh, Egypt’s ruler; that God raised him up to show His excellent power over all the earth. The Lord harden Pharaohs heart; who became stubborn, resistant & fierce; despite the numerous dreadful plagues. When he exulted himself, Pharaoh was humbled after the tenth plague as God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, for the whole world to declare His majesty & power. On the same wavelength; when the devil exulted himself, he was cast into hell & all authority given to the Son of man. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven & of those on earth & of those under the earth & that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:10-11).

PRAYER
Jesus our Father & King we bow down before You in humble adoration. We declare that You are the Almighty God, the great I AM & the great high Priest. We delight in Your presence, mercy & grace. Be with our nation during this challenging times of leadership; that You name be lifted high in all the earth. Be with all candidates undertaking their final exams; that Your name be glorified always. Be with us & our families during the most difficult times; that at Your name all the knees in heaven, on earth & under the earth should bow & every tongue confess that You are our Savior & Deliverer. Amen

2 Chronicles 17:12-13

So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. He had much property in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.

INSIGHT
-Power was associated with wealth, wisdom, strength & a great army in the Old Testament kingdoms. Just like his predecessors King Solomon, Rehoboam & Asa, Jehoshaphat built castles, stores for corn, wine & other food items & grew in wealth. He had a massive army classified into the various tribes of Israel. In the tribe of Judah there was, Adnah the captain with 300,000 mighty men of valor, Jehohanan had 280,000 & Amasiah had 200,000. In the tribe of Benjamin; Eliada had 200,000 men & Jehozabad had 180,000, & other armed forces were spread throughout the fortified cities of Judah. King Jehoshaphat was very instrumental in suppressing idol worship in Judah & God granted them peace & prosperity. In the modern world, superpowers have expressed might in GDP size, economic growth, military strength & technology, infrastructural development, cultural strength, technological advancement, diplomatic & soft power influences. It is important to note that God has established His throne in heaven & His kingdom rules over all (Ps 103:19).

PRAYER
God our Father clothed in power & strength, we thank You for the peace we continue to experience in our nation. We seek Your direction & guidance in our countries leadership, economic, social & financial affairs. May Your peace reach all the war torn countries in the world that they may know You & experience You in a special way. All glory, honor, power & praise belong to You. Amen

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

INSIGHT
-The Holy Spirit Who lives in us showers us with His fruit of love, joy, peace (sound mind), patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility & self control. By these fruit & gifts, His power remains in us that we may cast out all fear & anxiety at the wake of difficulties, persecutions, trials & temptations mostly caused by principalities, powers, rulers of darkness & spiritual hosts of wickedness (Eph 6:12). By His grace we are made strong & courageous, & has delivered us from the power of darkness, & conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son, in Whom we have redemption through His blood & the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:13-14).

PRAYER
You are holy; Father & everything that exists rightfully gives You thanks. We praise You for Your great works of salvation that we became Your sons & have bestowed upon us Your fruit & gifts; so that nothing may harm us & we may lack no good thing. May Your goodness, mercy & grace follow us for the rest of our lives; that we may dwell in Your house forever. Amen

1 Corinthians 4:19-20

“But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”

INSIGHT

-Apostle Paul explains that the kingdom of God not in talk but power. Jesus’ ministry was characterized by power. He healed the sick, raised the death, fed the hungry, taught with power and authority and performed many other signs and miracles. Prophets and disciples like Moses, Elijah, Elisha, John, Peter, Paul, Stephen and many others also administered these gifts by the power of the Holy Spirit. When ministry lacks power, the people often look for alternatives and sometimes question the truth. It is therefore important to realize that the Holy Spirit Who raises Jesus from the dead lives in us and we are called to administer His mighty power in all the earth for the glory of His name. Christianity is rooted on the truths that Jesus died and resurrected so that we may always obtain victory in Him. This is our potion as Christians and when we desire these gifts, the Holy Spirit gives each one according to His divine will.

PRAYER

Your Kingdom Lord is not about eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Your Kingdom Lord is not about talk but power. Fill us with Your gifts Holy Spirit that we may administer Your power in all the earth. You have called us to go into all the world to preach Your gospel, enable us to follow Your divine will and accomplish all that we have been created to do. Our Father who at in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from all evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

2 Samuel 22:33-34

“God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.”

INSIGHT

King David gave thanksgiving and praise to God consistently even when he was faced by tribulation. He trusted in God always Who became His ever present help during dangerous situations and delivered him from all his enemies; making his feet like those of a deer. David was called a man after God’s own heart probably attributed to the fact that he always sought for God. Sometimes when we are faced by challenges we complain and focus on the negative. Like king David, we are reminded to give thanks to God during favorable and unfavorable times. To call on Him in times of prosperity and trouble, for He is our ever present help. To trust in God with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. To acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will set all the crooked paths straight and ways perfect. To have firm faith that has set us on high places and made us victorious according to His great purposes.

PRAYER

Lord You are our Rock and Fortress, our Deliverer, in Whom we put all our trust. You are our Strength and Song in Whom we put all our trust and give praise to You all the time. You are our Shield and the horn of our salvation Lord, we exult Your name and adore You. We count our blessings and name them one by one Jesus for You have been with us all the time even when we were faced by trouble. You have protected us, provided for us, sustained us, healed our wounds, corrected us, enlightened us with You word, made our way perfect, set us on high places, satisfied our souls with the gift of salvation, given us good health, wealth and prospered us in all our ways from everlasting to everlasting. You have always been our Refuge and Strength, our Fortress and have delivered us from all our enemies. All glory and praise belong to You Jehovah; now and forever, Amen

Psalms 37:34-40

“Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.”

INSIGHT

-The Psalmist addresses a multitude; encouraging them while they might have been crushed and down-trodden. He motivates them to depend wholly upon on the Lord and have confidence in Him for he has never seen the righteous forsaken nor their children begging for bread. He tells them that he has seen the wicked in power spreading themselves like luxuriant native trees but ultimately wither like the green herb and are cut down like grass. Salvation is from the Lord; Who owns all things including wisdom, wealth, power and might. The psalmist inspiration is to wait on the Lord and keep His ways, and by humility we shall inherit the land. We are called to leave all worry and anxiety to the Lord and in prayer, supplications and thanksgiving; making our requests known to Him. To commit all our ways to the Lord for the blameless will live in God’s peace which surpasses all understanding and He will save us in times of trouble. When we follow God’s word and do our duties as Christians, we will enjoy His blessings as we have communion with Him and one another; through love.

PRAYER

Lord You are good and Your mercies endures forever. Teach us in Your precepts; for Your mercies endures forever. Protect us from all evil and cover us with Your precious blood; for Your mercies endures forever. Lord You are powerful and Your power is everlasting. You reign in all the heavens and the earth; for Your power endures forever. You control the universe all things in it; for Your power endures forever. You control all the nations of the earth; for Your power endures forever. You are seated at the right hand of the Father and Your power endures forever. Lord You are merciful and Your love is everlasting. Take control of our lives; for Your love endures forever. Take control of our families; for Your love endures forever. Take control of our businesses and work; for Your love endures forever. Take control of our nation; for Your love endures forever. Prosper in all things and bless us Lord; for Your love endures forever. Shower us with Your eternal peace; for Your love endures forever. Amen

Psalms 37:34-40

INSIGHT

PRAYER

Deuteronomy 8:14-19

“when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— then you say in your heart, My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth. And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.”

INSIGHT

-The Lord showed great mercy and kindness to the people of Israel when He brought them out of slavery in Egypt. When they were thirsty; He provided water from a rock and out of the bitter waters at Marah. When they needed food He provided manna from heaven. God protected them from fiery serpents, scorpions and all danger, and gave them good health. He increased them in wealth but some harbored pride in their hearts. Financial muscle is considered a form of power and individuals and nations that have massive financial resources and looked at as more powerful. God cautioned the Israelites against worshiping other gods. In most Asian countries, majority of the people worship other gods and do not recognize God as their Creator and Father. They make idols and appease them for good health, wealth and other needs. Among the Asians we find that they light up incense and perform rituals for financial prosperity. In the Islamic communities they close their businesses, offer prayers regularly and give to the poor for financial progress. Others among us go to witch doctors and cults to gain wealth. Financial battles are won in the spiritual realm. God is the owner of all wealth and gives us the ability to gain wealth. We are called to seek God for financial power and not crooked alternatives which are short-lived.

PRAYER

Thank You Lord for loving us. Thank You for enabling us to see this day in good health. It is not by our power nor by our might but by Your Spirit Lord. Remember all those who are sick and suffering that You may heal them merciful Father. You are the King of kings and Lord of lords Father, all glory and wealth belong to You. Give us the ability to get wealth Jesus and deliver us from pride. Increase us Lord, our families, friends and nation, socially, spiritually, economically and financially for the glory of Your name. Guide us always to do Your will and broaden our paths. Bless us Lord and keep us. Make Your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. Lift up Your countenance upon us and grant us peace. Guide us to always remember those who are least in the society and give us hearts of compassion so that we may support them in whatever way that You have called us Lord. Amen

1 Peter 1:3-5

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

INSIGHT

-Through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; we find hope through a new birth in Him by the redemption through His precious blood; which is without blemish or defect. Even though we have not seen Him we love Him and through faith we shall inherit His kingdom which has been kept for us before the foundation’s of this world. We are called to edify one another by these exhortations that Jesus has triumphed so that we may live forever with Him. Through the gift of salvation, God’s power has been revealed to us now for we are His children; and as an object of our faith experience the joy that comes from Him until He comes again to save us. We are called to remain pure by obeying God’s truth and have sincere love for each other deeply from our hearts, for we have been born again not of perishable seed, but of imperishable through His living word which endures forever.

PRAYER

Thank You Lord Jesus for You are good and mercies endures forever. Thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross for us and for giving us the gift of salvation. You are our only Savior and deserve all our worship and praise. Thank You for this far that You have brought us Father. You have taken care of us from the month of January and have been faithful to us throughout the year. Your love and faithfulness will never fail, we praise You and exult Your holy name; forever. Remember all those who are sick and suffering among us that You may heal them by Your saving arm. Have mercy on all those who do not know You Jesus that You may grant them the gift of salvation. Purify our hearts Holy Spirit and renew our minds by Your precious blood that we may only do Your will. Fill our hearts with Your love, wisdom and power so that we may always be self controlled and enable us to achieve that which You have set before us. Restore unto us the joy of Your salvation and uphold us by Your generous Spirit. All glory, honor and adoration belongs to You Jesus now and forever. Amen

Matthew 9:6-8

But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

INSIGHT

-Jesus healed the paralytic, not by ordinary design but supernaturally through forgiveness of sins. Jesus said to him “take heart son; your sins are forgiven” (Mat 9:2). He probably intended to disclose that He had power to forgive sins and has given us the same power so that we too may be forgiven our own sins. In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus says that, if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins”. The topical scripture also explain that some diseases originate from sin as we see in John 9:2. Lastly, our faith in God is important and can result to the healing of our loved ones. As we come to end of this year, let us forgive all those who have offended us and come to reconciliation with our brothers and sisters so that we too may be reconciled with the Father. Let us also open our hearts to receive Christ through reconciliation as we celebrate His works of redemption and prepare for a new year filled with grace.

PRAYER

Thank You for Lord loving us. Thank You for You have give us the power to forgive sins. Forgive us our sins Jesus as we forgive those who trespass against us. May Your grace fill our hearts Holy Spirit that we may not hold anything evil in our hearts against our brothers and sisters. Restore all broken marriages and relationships in our homes, nation and the whole world, and keep us in Your peace that surpasses all understanding merciful Father. Increase our faith in You Lord and heal all those people who are sick among us; like You healed the paralytic. Thank You for this far that You have brought us, it is not by our power or might but by Your Spirit Lord. May You always be glorified in our lives Father; for You cannot share Your glory with anyone. All glory, honor, power and strength belongs to You, now and forever. Our Father who at in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread & forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power & the glory; forever & ever. Amen

Hebrews 1:1-4

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

INSIGHT

-God spoke to us through the prophets in the Old Testament about Jesus Christ, His Son Who died for the sins of the world so that through His blood we may be set free from eternal condemnation (1 Jn 1:7). There is power in the blood of Jesus. Through this power, we should confess our sins freely knowing that Christ hears us. This gives us a better appreciation for the works of Jesus on the cross and we grow in love for Him and for others. When we were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, Christ brought us near by His blood (Eph 2:12-13). He bore our sins in His own body on the tree that we having died to sin, might live for righteousness and obtain healing by His stripes (I Pet 2:24). There is therefore no condemnation then to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Rom 8:1), for we have been crucified with Him and it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us (Gal 2:20). Through His blood then, Jesus reconciled all things to Himself (Col 1:20) giving us hope that He may save us from wrath (Rom 5:9). As we partake of His body and blood through the holy communion, we have life and life in abundance (Jn 6:53). Through His blood, Jesus has defeated the works of the enemy (Rev 12:11) and has made us kings and priests that we may rule in the earth (Rev 1:5). We are therefore called to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16). .

PRAYER

There is power in Your blood Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for us. You have been there with us and for us and have protected us always from the snares of the evil one, we praise You. We have seen Your hand in all things Jesus. Thank You Jesus for loving us. Your blood Jesus speaks better things that of Abel, cleanse us from all unrighteousness and deliver us from all evil, we humbly ask You. Your precious blood has the power to heal us physically, emotionally, socially, economically, politically and in all other ways, grant us Your grace always Lord. Thank You Jesus for the victory that You obtained for us on the cross so that we may be liberated to the Father and be set free from all condemnation, all glory and praise belongs to You. We honor Your name Lord for giving us hope in life, hope now and in the unforeseeable future until You come again to save us. Grant us the grace to always remain in You as You are in us Lord. You are seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high, all glory and praise belongs to You Jesus, now and forever. Amen

Proverbs 18:21

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

INSIGHT

-There is power is tongues and what we confess is what we posses. It is very tempting sometimes when life issues arise and people fill their speech with negativity. Negativity in thoughts and attitude results in negative speech. Some people complain about everything in life. Their wellbeing, health, physical appearance, economy, work, businesses, leaders, priests, pastors, social status, marital status, financial status, political conditions and many other issues. Apostle Paul learned to be content in all situations even when he was in prison. He was content when he was in need and when he had plenty, when he was well fed and when he was hungry. By doing so; he affirms that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him (Phil 4:11-13). This is a statement of total submission and faith in God. In James 3:5-10, we find that the tongue is a small member of the body but very destructive when not well tamed. It can easily corrupt the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness, and out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. The tongue can easily destroy close friendships, marriages and even ones future. Those who have knowledge then, use their words with restraint, for fools are thought wise if they keep silent and discerning if they hold their tongues (Prov 17:27-28). Jesus cautions is that not what goes into the mouth defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth (Mat 15:11). it is therefore important to ensure that our speech is seasoned with salt and filled with grace always so that we may know how to answer everyone (Col 4:6). Like apostle Paul, we are reminded to give thanks to God the name our Lord Jesus Christ in whatever we do, whether in word or deed, which is God’s will for us (Col 3:17). We are also called make positive in our lives, families, children, nation, situations, health, wealth, wellbeing, future in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. To also ask God to go before us and make all the crooked paths straight for He is our Maker and Father, and His timing, apportionment and appointments are perfect and without defect.

PRAYER

Lord You are good and Your love endures forever. Your timing, apportionment and appointments are perfect, Your love endures forever. Forgive us merciful Father for the many times we have cursed, quarrelled, gossiped, complained, lied and have not been thankful. You have called us Lord to be content and to give thanks in all situations. Grant us the grace to do so according to Your will. You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, all glory and praise belong to You Lord. We shall not die but live Lord because You have obtained victory for us. Go before us Lord and make all the crooked paths straight in our lives, families, work, businesses, health, purposes, relationships, marriages, leadership, nation and all other things for You love us with an unconditional kind of love. Your love satisfies our souls Lord, increase our faith so that we may know You, seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness and all other things You will add unto us according to Your merciful love. Give us the gift of wisdom Lord so that we may know how to answer each one as You please. All glory, honor, wisdom, power and grace belongs to You Jehovah; now and forever. Amen

Matthew 26:64

Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

INSIGHT
-In the declaration of Jesus’ Kingship, an accounted of blasphemy from the high priest who tore his clothes & pronounced a death sentence upon Him. He acclaimed God the Father as the ultimate Power by Whom all things exist in heaven, earth & under earth, & despite Jesus’ arrest, the victory of resurrection had already been bestowed upon Him that all mankind may be set free from the snare of sin & death.

SUMMARY
-Power in Hebrew is written as toqeph & it means strength, divinity, ability, capacity, dominion, authority, control, territory & government. Power & authority marry in their definition in that, power is a dynamic force with influence & authority is the legal right to exercise it. Knowledge & money are often equated to power & the Egyptians had both. They were rich in mineral resources, indigenous trees, food production, were skilled in construction of pyramids & had wisdom in reading & writing. God uplifted Pharaoh to show His excellent power over all the earth & at the same time harden his heart that he became stubborn, resistant & fierce; despite the numerous dreadful plagues that came with Israelites deliverance (Ex 9:16). Just like Egypt, Judah displayed its power during the time of king Jehoshaphat who had a great army spread throughout the fortified cities. The king also built castles, stores for corn, wine & other food items, was instrumental in stopping idol worship & God gave Judah; peace & prosperity. Superpowers in the current age express their might in GDP size, military strength & technology, infrastructural development, cultural strength, technological advancement, diplomatic & soft power influences. God the ultimate Power has established His throne in heaven & His kingdom rules over all (Ps 103:19). He created us in His image & likeness & gave us authority over all the animals, & all the earth (Gen 1:26). Through His son Jesus Christ & by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been made free from all sin & live by His grace.

PRAYER
All powerful & ever living God, look kindly upon us Your sons, that we may journey with You in faith, love & grace in daily lives. By Your divine mercy we are made stronger at the wake of difficulties & temptations. By Your wisdom we are enlightened to seek first Your kingdom & righteousness. By Your love we fulfil the law & the prophets. We proclaim Your power, wisdom, strength, riches, glory, honour & praise in all the earth. Amen

Ephesians 6:10-12

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

INSIGHT

-Apostle Paul exhorts the Ephesians with a final statement that they should stand guard against spiritual forces of darkness through the power of the Lord. He discloses that our struggles are not with human being but against spiritual influences whose main focus is to kill, steal and destroy. To stand therefore, we need to gird our waist with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, spread the gospel of peace and take heed to it, holding fast the shield of faith with which we quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, put on the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. When we then know our position in Christ, that He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood through the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:13-14), we then rest secure in His truth knowing that no weapon fashioned against us shall prevail and nothing can separate us from His love.

SUMMARY

Thematically, power has diverse meanings according to biblical references. The epitome of it when Jesus demonstrated His love to us by dying on the cross for our sins. He has also called us to forgive all those who offend us with an assurance that we too will be forgiven. Through forgiveness we receive healing, reconciliation, blessings and demonstrate love for God and our neighbors. Like Jesus healed the paralytic, He has given the power to heal those who are suffering through the gift of healing for the glory of His name. He has also bestowed unto us many other gifts including performing of miracles, tongues, prophecy, wisdom, faith, knowledge, discernment and interpretation of tongues so that we may demonstrate His power on earth, like His disciples did. Through our calling, we are called to demonstrate God’s power in ministry so that people may believe in Him and find rest. There is power in the blood of Jesus to heal us from all sickness, to cleanse us from our sin, to shield us from the snares of the evil one and obtain victory in all things through Christ Who gives us strength. Our tongues have power over life and death and we eat the fruits of our words. The tongues has the power to build and to destroy. It is therefore important to speak words that edify God and one another according to His will. To declare a blessing upon our lives, families, children, situations, relationships, marriages, churches, work, businesses, nation and the entire world. To give thanks in all situations disregarding the struggles that we might be facing having faith in God that He will accomplish all our hearts desires according to His will. God is the source of all power and gives us the power to gain wealth, to live as kings and priests and to have dominion on the earth. We should also hold fast our faith in God for all things Who is our strength. God is all powerful and makes all our ways perfect according to His grace. He has given us the free gift of salvation and our good works are not a means to inherit the kingdom but through His merciful love. We have victory in God for He has conveyed us into His kingdom and made us His children through His everlasting love. The Holy Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us and has promised to also raise us up at the last day and live with Him forever.

PRAYER

Lord you are powerful and Your power is everlasting. You have shown us great mercy and given us power to function effectively on earth, we give You all the glory and praise. God You are loving and Your love is everlasting. You have shown us Your glory through Your sacrifice on the cross for all mankind, we exult Your name. Remember us Your children merciful Father that You may deliver us from all evil and grant us rest in all things. Provide for all our needs Jesus and answer our hearts desires according to Your will. Lead us Lord through the light of Your salvation that we may follow Your will and achieve all that You have designed for our lives before the foundations of this world. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen