Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Is There an Energy Crisis in the Kingdom? by John Wright


Is There an Energy Crisis in the Kingdom?                                                     
John Wright   

The lifestyle we enjoy in this modern age has caused us to be very dependent on our access to affordable and abundant energy supplies.  We need power to run our cars, light our homes, and to keep us comfortable with instant heating and cooling.  Even our ability to work and do our jobs depends upon our connection to information and data that streams around the world.  It would seem that all of these advances would give us more time to work in God’s Kingdom, but the question is, “how is that working out?”  The answer for most of us, including myself, is not very well at all.

Today at work, we lost all our power.  For two hours, we had no lights, phones, internet, or working cash registers.  That was a big inconvenience, but we remained open and got every sale that there was to be had because we turned no one away, and we used the basic tools available to us in order to get the job done.  I was very happy when the power came on and it gave me a renewed appreciation of the modern tools and the power that makes our lives easier.  Now, this causes me to wonder.  Is it the modern age that has made us so busy that we have less time for God?  Or, could it be that we have taken our eyes off of God because the energy that powers our world is oil, electricity, and technology?  Church, the answer to our crisis is to plug back into God.

Jesus said in Mark 12:24 (NIV)—“Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?”

If we do not know the Bible, no matter how educated or tech savvy we are, we will never know where real and abundant power comes from.

Hosea 4:6 (NIV)—My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.

Knowledge is very important, but it is not what we know, but “who.”

John 1 (NIV)—In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  Later in the chapter, it says in verse 14: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The answer to that question of “who” is: We are to see God through the image of his Son, Jesus. 

Since we know these things, I want to encourage everyone to take advantage of opportunities to know God.  Read your Bible, and attend one of the Bible classes on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights.  I know we are all busy, but the benefits far outweigh the cost.

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV) – But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 

To not plug into God’s power is just like letting our electricity be turned off.  His power is ready to be streamed; we only need to connect and it will work in any old jar of clay.

There does not need to be an energy crisis in this outpost of God’s Kingdom.  Just come and sit at the master’s feet.

Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)—“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  

My prayer is that more of God’s people will become actively involved in everything offered here at Southeastern.

Peace and love.

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