A Verse to Chew On

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power"

1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV

Here is just a short little verse for us to chew on today.

When Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth he was making the point that seeing the kingdom of God show up here on this earth doesn't come by wishful thinking or by empty talk.  It comes from power.  Not a display of human strength or by being clever.  Power that comes from the Holy Spirit.

Boy I sure would like to see God's kingdom come and His will done on earth as it is in heaven - like Jesus prayed.  But how many times have I prayed along those lines without realizing that I play a part in seeing that happen.  I can't make God do anything or make things happen in and of myself.  But I do need to remember that I am a conduit for the Father to work through.

In Francis Chan's book Forgotten God he makes the statement, "and this is the question that I just can't get around: if it's true that the Spirit of God dwells in us and that our bodies are the Holy Spirit's temple, then shouldn't there be a huge difference between the person who has the Spirit of God living inside of him or her and the person who does not?" (pg. 32)

If we have received Jesus as our Savior and bowed our knee to the His lordship in our lives then the same Holy Spirit power that raised Him from the dead lives in us.  The same Holy Spirit who took that rag-muffin group of disciples and turned them into the pillars of the early church finds us a suitable place to take up residence in.  I don't know about you but that blows my mind...maybe because I know me!

That part of the God-head seals our salvation but He's there to do more.  He empowers us to to change from the inside out so that we look more like Jesus...but he's not just there for our benefit.  He is there to work out His fruit so that we can be a blessing to others...to flesh out the gifts He's placed in us for the benefit of the Body of Christ and as a sign to the unbelievers - wooing them into relationship with the Father through the Son.

We often hear the question, "If you had a million dollars what would you do with it?".  Probably not as much these days as you would have when you were a kid given the current price of gas.  But what would you do in the Kingdom of God if you had an unlimited power source available.  Chew on that for a minute.

I'm not talking about just dreaming up 'whatever' and expecting the Lord to place His stamp of approval on it.  I'm talking about those whispers in your heart...the promptings of Him showing you how He's purposed you, pointing to areas that He desires to work in and His call  for you to join Him.  Those areas that we sometimes dismiss with, "...well if I had more time...if I were better educated...if I wasn't so_______ (you fill in the blank)".

Well here is the real kick in the pants...nothing that we are lacking makes a hill of beans difference when the Lord calls.  When He calls He makes up the difference with His Spirit!  He told Paul that His 'power is made perfect in weakness' (2Cor. 12:9)...and the disciples - well they were said to be 'unschooled and ordinary men'...but people could tell that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).  The Holy Spirit is just waiting to work through us for the Father's glory...so that we can see a bit of heaven here on earth.

So really...what would you do that you are not doing now?  Chew on it...what's holding you back?  Your success is not based on your abilities...just on your willingness to respond to God's call and rely on the power of His Spirit!  Let's quit talking about it and just let the Lord's power work through us! :)

Serving Him and you,

~Michelle...ApronGirl