Apicontent

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.” (Romans 12:6, NLT)

Every person has been given a gift or talent from God (see 1 Corinthians 12:4–11). Some people may even have multiple gifts. The use of talent resembles the use of time and treasure in that it can be spent achieving earthly goals like fame, prestige, pleasure, stuff, money, and power, or it can be invested in the kingdom of God.

God has created each one of us for specific purposes and consequently he has designed us so that we can accomplish them. If you are uncertain about the talent or talents God has entrusted to you, ask the Holy Spirit to show them to you through Scripture and fellow believers. Get involved in doing things for God’s kingdom by serving others in various ways. As you do, the talents God has entrusted to you will emerge and become obvious to those around you.

Your talent may surprise you. It may be something that is easily recognized, such as musical ability or organization or speaking. It might be something less visible, such as the ability to be encouraging or to show mercy or the ability to see and help those in need in basic, practical ways.

The abilities that you have been given are designed so that God’s work might be accomplished and his kingdom expanded. Each one of us has a choice: we can either use these abilities to accomplish whatever we choose, or we can allow the Holy Spirit to use these gifts. God-given gifts can accomplish a lot when they are used naturally, but when we allow the Holy Spirit to permeate those gifts with his power, supernatural results will occur.

God is waiting to use you. You may be busy, you may have responsibilities, you may have little time, but God can and will still allow you to use your talent for the expansion of talents and abilities in the wrong places. Why? Partly because a need has come before us and we’ve jumped in without really taking time to listen to the Spirit’s leading, and partly because we haven’t thought carefully about where God might best use our talent. Need does not equal involvement. There is need everywhere!

Seek the Holy Spirit’s direction as to where God wants you to be involved. At the same time, don’t be afraid to take on something that really does need to be done that you might not seem totally gifted for. God will provide whatever it is you need to get the job done. Ultimately, ask for the Holy Spirit’s direction and guidance.

The Holy Spirit can create opportunities where your abilities will have far greater results than anything you could imagine. He can also increase your talents for a supernatural effect.

The Holy Spirit can also protect you from the misuse of your God-given talent. He can show us when fleshly desires are motivating us to use our abilities in the pursuit of fame or fortune. He can also make us aware if our ego is manipulating us to use our giftedness to elevate ourselves while devaluing others. The Holy Spirit can help us overcome the fear of failure that holds us back from situations that might stretch our abilities.

The Holy Spirit works within us, infusing our talents with his power, and accomplishing supernatural results. Allow Son Power to enable you to use your gift in a supernatural way. Trust the Holy Spirit to provide opportunities for you to use your talent for God’s kingdom work.

In what ways are you embracing your God-given talents and abilities as a resource to be used for God’s plans and purposes?

Son Power infuses all of your God-given talent.

“Make the most of every opportunity.” (Colossians 4:5, NLT)

No matter how you define your personal “treasure,” it is important to remember that these things in and of themselves are not wrong. However, if they take the place of Godin your life, then you have a big problem. As our heart and mind become more in tune with the Holy Spirit, our desire to invest in God’s kingdom should increasingly trump the desire to keep investing in the perishable things of this world. All that we have been entrusted with needs to come under the direction of God. Son Power can transform us from the inside so that we will be able to discern the ways in which God wants us to use this treasure.

Treasure is an amazing tool. But it is a tool that can be used for temporary earthly pleasure or for the imperishable goals of God’s kingdom. I’m quite sure God is not so interested in how much money we have or don’t have, but rather how much we are willing to give away. It is not the amount that matters, but the attitude in which the giving is done. God is more concerned about our spiritual development of faith in him, than he is about the money or treasure that is given away. The heart holds the real value here.

Jesus with the little boy who was willing to let Jesus have his lunch of five loaves and two fishes is recorded in all four gospels (see Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:31–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14). This is an important story. It was just lunch. It was just a little boy. It was just five loaves and two fishes. And yet, Jesus took what that little boy gave him and multiplied it into lunch for a multitude. Satan would have us keep our resources for ourselves. But this little boy shows us that in the hands of Jesus our treasure can bless a lot of people. God can multiple anything that we are willing to give him when it is to be used for his plans and purposes.

Possessions require responsibility and care. The more stuff you have, the more stuff you have to maintain. There are many ways to use treasure. It takes wisdom and discernment to know how and where and why we are investing our treasure in someone or something. Allow Son Power to enable you to use your treasure in a supernatural way as the Holy Spirit provides opportunities for your treasure to be invested in God’s plans and purposes.

Are you willing to ask the Holy Spirit to provide insight and discernment in how you can best invest your treasure? If you are, he willshow you how to use your treasure for God’s glory.

In what ways are you depending on the Holy Spirit to help you manage and invest your treasure?

Son Power helps you to discern the ways in which God wants you to use the treasure that he has entrusted to you.

“Rise, let us go from here.” (John 14:31 ESV)

When Jesus was on this earth, he knew where he was going. He had a plan. He had a purpose. He was on the move. He had work to accomplish for the kingdom and he had only a short period of time in which to do it.

I believe Jesus is saying to each one of us, “Rise, let us go from here.” We are his ambassadors to an unbelieving and dying world. We have the good news of Jesus Christ. We have a role to play in the great story of God. It is time for us to put on the armor of God and point the way to the cross and eternal life. Now is the time for our opportunity.

The Lord is counting on us to use our time, talent, and treasure for the advancement of his kingdom and we have been empowered by his Spirit to accomplish his purposes.

Eternity is assured for everyone, whether we believe it or not and whether we like it or not. Eternity is the real world to come and there is nothing temporary or perishing about it. King David said, “Whom have I in heaven but you [God]? I desire you more than anything on earth” (Psalm 73:25, NLT). David realized that in the end his only possession would be his relationship with God.

In the New Testament, Paul tells us: “For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:53–54, NLT).

In the meantime, let’s not be afraid. Let’s live the Son-powered life. Let’s allow God to use our time, talent, and treasure to make a difference for all eternity. Let’s press forward toward the goal for which God is calling us in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 3:14).

What are you going to do with the Son Power that God has made available to you? Are you going to rise, go from here, and live as the Son-powered vessel God wants you to be? Or are you going to settle for a life of mediocrity and low impact? It is a decision that only you can make. My prayer is that you will allow the Holy Spirit to infuse all of your life and that you will make a difference in this world and in the world to come. Because at the end of our lives, our goal is to

hear these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21, ESV).

In what ways are you living the Son-powered life? What impact have you experienced because of it, personally and in your world? What steps do you need to take going forward to continue to depend on the Holy Spirit’s power?

Son Power empowers you to live as God’s ambassador to an unbelieving and dying world.

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10–11, NLT)

Ephesians 6:12–18 presents one of the most powerful truths in the Bible: we have the ability to protect ourselves against the attacks of Satan.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (NLT)

This passage identifies the various pieces of armor that will protect us from Satan’s attacks: belt of truth, body armor of God’s righteousness, shoes of peace that come from the Good News, shield of faith, helmet of salvation. All of these represent defensive armor. When we are under attack, we often don’t think about using God’s truth, righteousness, peace, Good News, faith, or salvation. These words seem to lack power. But we need to remember they are not words; they are tools in the hands of the Holy Spirit to empower us.

There is one offensive item listed in this passage, and that is the Word of God. Paul calls it the “sword of the Spirit.” It is the weapon used to aggressively counter the overtures of Satan as he attempts to ensnare us in his strategies of stealing, killing, and destroying. It is only when we soak our hearts in the Word of God, so much so that it actually becomes a part of our spiritual DNA that we will be able to use this weapon effectively. God has given us an incredible weapon that can and does thwart the enemy’s attacks. Therefore, we constantly need to be soaking our hearts and minds in the Word of God because it will work on our behalf when we allow it to be used as the sword of the Spirit.

Which piece of God’s armor do you need to specifically focus on today?

Son Power employs the weapons of the Holy Spirit for protection against Satan’s attacks.

“God stirs up the sea with His power, and by His understanding He breaks up the storm.” (Job 26:12, NKJV)

When we take time to reflect on God’s power, we’re amazed. And this in turn expands our vision of what God can do in us and through us. Images of God’s power are presented throughout the entire Bible. His power gives us confidence that he can overcome anything that is causing difficulty in our lives. His presence can dissolve any obstacle. Since he is the creator of all things, he knows all about our world and has the creative ability to deal with anything that is in need of repair.

God sent Jesus Christ into this world to bring us salvation and hope. I have often heard it said, Jesus is “God with skin on.” Jesus Christ is God incarnate; God embodied in human flesh. Because of Jesus Christ we have seen God at work in our world: loving people, healing disease, doing miracles, raising people from the dead. It is this power that we can rely on.

I am a huge fan of acrostics, which are poems, word puzzles, or other compositions in which certain letters in each line form a word or words. An acrostic can help bring to mind important topics. For me, most often my acrostics are words associated with key Bible verses that help me remember key attributes of God. Here is one of the acrostics I have developed that helps me remember that when I call on the power of Christ, he will, through the Holy Spirit, provide what I need. The word is CHRIST, with each letter giving me a key attribute of God. I’ve then associated a key verse with each attribute. This word is important to me, but it is not a formula. You can put an acrostic together on your own.

C Companionship … “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5–6, NIV)

H Hope … “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NKJV)

R Revelation … “He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:22, NKJV)

I I … “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, NLT)

S Submission … “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5, NKJV)

T Trust … “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” (Psalm 37:3–6, NIV)

When I soak my mind and heart on this acrostic and its accompanying verses, I experience the wonderful peace and power that only come from God. I also use these verses in my conversations with the Lord, sowing my conversation with its contents. The Holy Spirit has often quieted my heart and mind. We can be freed and empowered when we use the Scripture in this way.

What situation in your life is requiring that you focus on God’s power?

Son Power expands your vision of what God can do in and through you.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)

Talking to God about all of our life and believing he will answer our prayers is critical for the life of every Christian. As we talk with God about our life situations, the Holy Spirit empowers us with wisdom, guidance, and the strength to deal with each one. The Bible is clear that God will answer our prayers as we take time to soak in his Word.

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8, NIV). And later in the New Testament we read, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14, NIV).

So often we want God to accomplish our will. It is important that we align ourselves with his will. As we pray, we need to ask God to enable us to see how he sees our current situation and pray for his solution. Whether we are facing everyday life, difficulties, or ministry opportunities, I believe Son Power is available to us in equal measure.

No matter what I am experiencing or what kind of decision I need to make, I use this equation to help me remember to rely on Son Power:

PRAYER + SUPPLY OF THE SPIRIT = DELIVERANCE

The principle here is that prayer (talking to God) about the problem or situation plus the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ will result in our deliverance. It is the supply of the Spirit that gives us life and empowers us to confront life. Paul described this in his letter to the Philippians: “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:19-21, NKJV).

As we face each day, we can be confident that God hears our prayers and is working in us to take care of us.

Honestly, are you daily seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength from God? What changes do you need to make in your habits to make this more of a priority?

Son Power gives wisdom, guidance, and strength through prayer.