Hey, Sweet Things!
I’m writing this post to you on Saturday night from the seat of a gigantic United Airlines plane on my connect flight from DC back to Houston. The Living Proof Live team and I had the tremendous privilege of serving in Providence, Rhode Island and God worked in such a distinct way that I will remember it for many years. I hope forever. God is doing something different this year at LPL. I don’t quite know how to define it but I have been flat-on-my-face grateful that He is not only still in it but stirring the pot. Not one of us on the team wants to be there a moment longer than Jesus is. We don’t even want Him to make an obligatory “appearance” because He loves us and feels sorry for us after we’ve scheduled all of this. We want the event to be proactively Jesus for His own sake and for His own glory and because it is a delight to Him and because He looks forward to it. Nothing less than that and, if it’s not that, we want Him to move us each elsewhere.
It’s so strange. We began this year looking back to the previous 15 but, by our 3rd event, it was like we all fixed our faces forward as if nothing in the world mattered but what was in front of us. No “yesterday’s plan.” No “yesterday’s work.” This is today. Something is up. Something new to us. There is something liberating and also a little frightening about just saying to Him, “Do what You want, God. Anything You want. We’re in it with You or we’re not in it at all. All bets are off.” Anyway, I’m not sure why I went off on all of that. God just really has my eyebrows high on my forehead right now wondering what He’s doing.
I have a group of about 30 of you Siestas fresh on my mind because we met up quickly after the event for our group picture. These were your northeastern sisters and the cutest things you can imagine. Well, just like all of you are. All ages and types, with this one glorious bond: the lively love of Jesus Christ. I am so crazy about you guys. I cannot fathom the grace of God to have stirred up a community of encouragement in Christ where relationships really do seem to have some substance to them. It’s an anomaly that still isn’t wasted on me.
You have marked my journey of faith. You’ve encouraged me and made me want to keep running my race energetically and earnestly. You’ve helped me get back up even at times when you didn’t know I was down. You have been a harbor of joy, peace, and laughter in an online Christian world that can be astonishingly fractured. You are a corner of courageous gentleness in a culture that has lost its manners.
And, good grief, you guys have impacted my Scripture memory life so dramatically that I hardly have words. After every Living Proof Live when we meet up for our (clandestine) Siesta picture, I always ask, “Will I be seeing any of you in January at our SSMT celebration?” Invariably there are those who answer with infectious enthusiasm, “YES!” It makes me so happy. The previous celebrations have been like a family reunion on steroids. I hope so much you’re staying up with your Scripture memory, saving your money, and planning to head to Houston that weekend. We aren’t really a beautiful city but we’re a happy one and a hospitable one, I believe I can confidently say. And we can offer you Tex Mex at virtually every four way stop. I mean, what more could you want, people?
The verse I’ve chosen this time around is one God seemed to lift from the page of my early morning Scripture reading last Monday. I continued to say it and pray it throughout the week and referenced it several times this weekend in Providence. It’s easy to memorize and it puts a concept in a nutshell that is as vital as breath to us in this believing life we’re living. Here it is:
Beth, Houston. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
God is using it to remind me that this thing isn’t about incessant chatter and nonstop Twitter noise and learning to speak fluent Christianese. It’s not tantamount to Bible banter and doctrinal debates and holy hair-splitting. It’s not about getting together at church and threatening week after week to live changed lives and think renewed thoughts. It’s not about getting all lathered up and sweaty-headed at events over theories of effective, influential, and abundant lives. This Christ thing to which we’ve been called is about actually doing it and through an unction not remotely our own.
When the Holy Spirit comes, He comes with power.
Where the Holy Spirit goes, He goes with power.
Whom the Holy Spirit infiltrates, He infuses with power.
Our lives were meant to be powerful. Less talk. More demonstration. Through things like a love that we know good and well is utterly beyond us and a faith that emerges in tact from a minefield soaked in blood and strewn with flesh. We were meant to be able to do what we can’t, like who we don’t, bless who we’d curse. We were promised strength in weakness and extravagant grace in our deprivation.
We were meant to wonder what has derailed or gone awry when a season of our lives persists in powerlessness for weeks on end. We were promised more than this. We’re not meant to write our own personalized chapters in a revised standard version of The Emperor’s New Clothes so the world could have a harder laugh at us. We who have placed our trust in Christ Jesus, the living, breathing-on-us Son of God, have been clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49) And it’s supposed to show.
Every limb of our lives where we welcome the Holy Spirit can be infused with strength not of this world and, yes, even in continued weakness or infirmity, should that be the case of our present calling. The coexistence of the two is the mystery of it. We’re not superwomen. We’re a long shot from perfect. But we were meant to be vividly powerful through the One who saved us and made Himself at home in us. Let’s not forget that today. Let’s not be satisfied just to talk about it. Let’s not just clap and cheer during that part of a service when a pastor or teacher tells us we’re called more than conquerors. The New Testament is not the theory of Christianity.
You may feel powerless right now, Sister, but, if you are in Christ, make no mistake: you are not. Get some backbone back in your prayer life if your spiritual spine has deteriorated. With reverence for His holiness and with the boldness He said we could bring to the Throne of Grace, read to God from His Word where He promised His people victory as they looked to Him alone…
…and where He promised to clothe us in power
…and where He said He’d make Himself conspicuous through our spiritual gifts and through supernatural works in His Name.
If you don’t know where those places are, go hunt them down. (But you could start in Romans 8, Luke 24, Acts 1, Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12 and Hebrews 4.)
Tell Him you’re going to ask for it and ask for it and ask for it in His great Name and for His glory until He gives it to you and frees you from whatever this present powerlessness is. And then DO IT. Ask and ask and ask and tell Him you will do whatever it takes to cooperate and mean it! Throw your hands out to receive. And, then, when He gives it – and He will – don’t take credit for it. Appreciate it. Thank Him and thank Him for it. Know that it’s grace. Use it audaciously to bring Him attention.
Sister, you cannot fulfill your foreordained purpose without power. Go back after it but, whatever you do, don’t try to get it without Jesus coming with it. Power for power’s sake will blow you up. God-given unction isn’t meant to just come and go with periodic personal revival. We were meant to live powerful lives. Let’s get to them. If you’ve got an area of carnality that is quenching it, I promise you it’s not worth it. Believe me, I’ve been there. Repent, turn from it and get on with it. You’ve got a calling. And it takes divine power.
You mean so much to me. Hold tight to Jesus.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Psalm 59:10 TLB
My God is changeless in His love for me and he will come
and help me.
Brenda Santa Rosa Beach Fl
Christina
Louisville, KY
For the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NET
Christine, St. Louis Park, MN Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. Eph 3:1 NIV
Jo Anne, Chicago, IL
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Sue Big Rapids, MI
Ps 91:5,6 NASB You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
Deb, Becker, MN
As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me and my God will certainly hear me. Micah 7:7 (NLT)
Debbie, Rochester, MN
My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
1 John 2:1 NLT
Liz, Bloomfield: “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10, NASB).
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing. Psalm 100:1-2 (KJV)
Rachelle, Cedar Park, TX: I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Phil. 4:13 NIV
Corley in Conway, AR
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.” Colossians 4.6, NET
Heard a great sermon on the power of the tongue yesterday-thought this was fitting!
Kimberly Orr~Zionsville, Indiana
We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; His perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what He might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what He might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that He really loves us. 1 John 4:18 TLB
“Trust in him at all times, O people: pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 NIV
Ontario, OH
No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks(receives) praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:29. NLT
Mansfield, OH
To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person.
Luke 6:27& 28 The Message
Val Flynn from Snohomish, Wa
you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5 ESV)
“The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 9:9-10 NIV 1984
Dianne Walters – Hartselle, AL
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
I Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)
Meggie, Winnipeg, Canada
“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT
Dear Beth, thank you for your encouraging words in the blog post.
Pushkala, Louisville, KY – Whom have i in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirity may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever – Psalms 73:25-26 (NLT)
Lindsey, Jenks, OK
“He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters… He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me.” ~Psalm 18:16,19 NLT
Nicole//Dallas//Psalm 51:17 NLT
The Sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broke and repentant heart, O God.
I love this post! Thank you.
Beth, Toronto: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
1 Corinthians. 4:20 NIV
Carol
Carthage, NY
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Titus 3:8 NIV
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Carolyn
Oceanside,Ca
Emily from Birmingham, AL … “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does NOT change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV)
Heather, Colorado Springs, CO Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers this should not be. James 3:10 NIV
Kate from Sterling, VA
Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?
Romans 11:35, ESV
Libby
Dallas, TX
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
1 Corinthians 4:20
Diane from Littleton, CO
Isaiah 54:13
All your sons will be taught by the LORD,
And great will be your children’s peace.
1 Co 4:20 (MSG)
God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.
Hilary from Langley, Canada, says:
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.”
Psalm 139:9-10 (NIV84)
Kelly Charlotte, NC
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Ann. Centerville.
And to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perservance, godliness
II Peter 1:6. NIV
Patti, Phoenix AZ
Psalm 119:162 [NLT] “I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.”
Susan, Knoxville
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Shelley from Shiloh, IL: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 Amplified
Kathy, Shattuck, OK
Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Jean Herrick, Princeton Maine
Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)
Cari, Alexandria, LA
“For the kingdom of God is not in speech, but in power.”
1 Corinthians 4:20 DRA
Mary, Lexington Park, MD
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33 HCSB
Sheila, Beckley, WV Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV
Brittney, San Angelo, TX
Ps 103:9 “He will not always with us; Nor will He keep His anger forever.” NASB
Sabrina~Houston,TX
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8:11 ESV
Shannon, Columbia, SC
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Tomi, Des Moines, IA. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14 NIV
Farrah, Jackson MS
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:4 NIV)
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
Isaiah 40:30 (NET)
Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble.
Gina, Waynesville, NC
For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)
Dawn, Colleyville, TX. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV