Catch The Wind of God’s Power...Not Yours

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” - Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

To experience God’s hope and comfort, you need to see who He is in order to see who you really are…it’s only then you’ll be able to see how He can change you.

Change often triggers two negative reactions. First, “I don’t have the time or energy to change.” Life feels too busy…too many responsibilities, too many diapers, too much to handle.

Second, “Who am I kidding? God can’t change me. I’ve tried a hundred times, failed, and feel like I’ve disappointed everyone, including God.”

Both reactions come from the false belief that change depends entirely on you. That mindset is exhausting and discouraging. If you have to sustain your own motivation to change every day, you’ll eventually give up. But God offers a better way.

Isaiah 40:28-31 reminds us where true power comes from: “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint”.

Real change isn’t about your power. It’s about God’s power working in you. Picture this: your efforts are like a hummingbird whose little wings are fluttering so fast. You flitter here for hope, there for hope, up for hope, down for hope…trying to get hope in your life.  You’re worn out by trying to get to a place of hope on your own.

But God’s power is like an eagle, soaring on the updrafts of wind. Eagles don’t struggle…they rise because they are designed to catch the wind. Similarly, God designed your soul to soar on the updraft of His love, not your own striving.

To tap into His power, you must stop flitting from one place to another in search of hope and instead say, “God, I need you. I trust you moment by moment.” That’s when you’ll feel the updraft of His love, strength, and power.

Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him” (NLT). God gives you the desire to change, even when you don’t feel it, and He also gives you the power to take the next step. Change happens when you stop relying on your own strength and start trusting in God’s strength and power to transform your life.

Hope doesn’t come not from trying harder, but from trusting deeper. God wants you to remember this truth and to continually turn back to Him because He is the One who gives you strength to soar.

Chosen For Purpose

About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my people, Israel. 1 Samuel 9:16a NLT

In yesterday’s devotion, we saw how while we go about our daily lives, God can orchestrate situations that would lead us on the path of our purpose. Saul was busy looking for his father’s donkey, but end up meeting Samuel the prophet who would reveal to him, that he was appointed by God to be the king of Israel.

God has a plan for each of us. It does not matter what your status is, your background, your family’s name etc. When Samuel told him that his family was the focus of bringing hope to Israel, Saul’s response showed how he saw himself, as insignificant, low self esteem. Saul answered, “But I am a member of the tribe of Benjamin. It is the smallest tribe in Israel. And my family is the smallest in the tribe of Benjamin. Why do you say Israel wants me?” vs. 21

Does this response sound familiar? There are many other persons in the bible who felt the same way. Moses said, he cannot speak. Gideon said, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. Jeremiah said, I cannot speak: for I am a child. We too, have looked at our shortcomings and conclude that God cannot use us to do mighty things for Him. Let’s get rid of that mindset and know, it’s not by our might (will), nor by our power (strength), but by the Spirit of the Lord. Who God called, He also equips.

Saul’s inferior complex did not deter Samuel and certainly not God. This appointment was already established even before the foundations of the world. When God decided to release us in the earth realm, His purpose for our lives was already determined. Something very interesting to note. Samuel did not anoint Saul in the presence of Saul’s servant. Neither did Saul reveal to his uncle what Samuel told him. When God reveals His purpose or plan to you, do not go off telling everyone. Wait for the appointed time for God to reveal it to others. For there is a set time to fulfil your purpose.

Saul was appointed and anointed by God and he became the first king of Israel.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you that you do not see us the way we see ourselves, but that you see us as who you have created and called us to be. May we submit ourselves to you and fulfil the purpose for which you have placed us here on earth. We say to You, may your will be done in our lives here on earth, as it is in heaven, in Yeshua’s Name…Amen.

Divine Appointment-Set up!

“About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my people, Israel. He will rescue them from the Philistines, for I have looked down on my people in mercy and have heard their cry.” 1 Samuel 9:16 NLT

Most people develop a daily routine of; wake up, fight to get out of bed, read the bible and pray, probably get breakfast ready for the family, and then head out to work. Sometimes, we are so busy, that though we may have God on our minds, we can easily miss a divine appointment or divine set up by God, if we are not alert.

Saul was sent by his father to look for the lost donkeys. Little did he know that his whole life was about to change drastically. This was all orchestrated by God. There are no coincidences with God! And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them – Romans 8:28 NLT.

The company we keep, can impact our lives in a positive or negative way. Saul gave up hope of finding the donkeys, but his servant said to him, ‘I’ve just thought of something!’ No, that was not the servant’s own thoughts, that was God’s doing!  However, we can conclude that the servant was spiritually in tuned with what was going on in Israel. For, the servant told Saul, There is a man of God who lives here in this town. He is held in high honor by all the people because everything he says comes true. Let’s go find him. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.” Vs. 6

Saul and his servant went to seek the man of God, Samuel, to inquire about the donkeys, but God had other plans. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope – Jeremiah 29:11 NLT. God had already spoken to prophet Samuel that he would meet Saul at a set time on that day and that he Samuel was to anoint Saul as the king of Israel.

As you go through your day, look for the divine appointments or setup that God has already orchestrated. Remember, all things are working for your good. There are no coincidences in God, but there is divine purpose!