Have you ever tried to vacuum and have the cord pull out of the electrical socket? I have. Every time I vacuum there is an area where the cord stretches as far as it can and while I’m vacuuming that particular area the plug comes out almost every time! Can you imagine this happening in every room? We would not be able to get the job done. Life can be the same way if we’re not plugged in to the right power source on a regular basis. Jesus said it this way “People do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” Mathew 4:4. If you’re a Christian and you’re not plugged in to his power source, life will be just like the cord that keeps getting pulled out of the socket. There will be power, but not enough to sustain and get the job done. What I mean is, when you go through times that are difficult, you will not have the “resources” that God has provided to help you through trying circumstances, unless you’re plugged in. Jesus said, “I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart (be of good cheer) because I have overcome the world” John 16:33. If we’re plugged into His source on a regular basis we will have the “power” (faith, hope, perseverence and strength) to get through those times.
So how do we do it? How do we get to the place where when the challenges in life present themselves we will have the ability to overcome them? “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” Hebrews 10:25. WHY? “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church (body of Christ, Christians): The apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity of our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord…” Ephesians 4:11,12 NLT.
God has called men and women alike to devote their lives to pray, study, teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and ministry of the word” Acts 6:4. Although all of these gifts are important, the office of pastors/teachers is to help Gods people to understand the Bible and the tools God has given us to “overcome” all of the obstacles that come our way. Remember what Jesus said, the challenges will come, but he encourages us to: “be of GOOD cheer for I have OVERCOME the world.” In this passage of scripture he is teaching us that he has EVERYTHING we need to face and conquer difficult times AND because we belong to him we have ACCESS to everything he has provided to “overcome” them, that’s good news! Just like the vacuum whose plug stays in the socket, God has provided a place for you and I to “plug in” a sanctuary where we can get together and hear the “word of God” taught by men and women who have been given “gifts” to deliver messages designed and inspired by God to meet our spiritual needs, so that when the troubles in life come, we will be equipped (ready) to face and conquer them!
Let me encourage you. If you have not made it a point to go and “hear” (faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God) the Lords inspired messages that he gives to his pastors and teachers, make the adjustment in your mind, heart and attitude and purpose in your heart to find a church (if you do not already have one) that teaches faith and the words of Jesus Christ. Words that “build” you up, not tear you down. Jesus words of faith, hope and love.
Pastor Nina Tidwell – Facebook
PonceChurch.com
Inspiring message: “Work Out” by Pastor Rick Tidwell of Ponce Church
