Being Connected

On a spring vacation I wanted to connect to the internet but discovered that I was out of Wi-Fi range and did not have a proper password for a local hotspot.  This quickly made me aware of the importance of being connected.  Not having the connection when I desired it, or thought I needed it, was frustrating.  Without a source of power my effectiveness was hindered.

In technology, as in other sectors of life, it is important to be connected.  I suggest that it also important to be connected spiritually.  The Bible reminds us that it is essential for us to tap into God’s divine power.  If we neglect doing so, we will be hindered in our spiritual development and become ineffective.  Many people think they can get along without God.  However, when God is left out of our lives our strength is diminished, we deceive ourselves, and we lose the effectiveness that we would otherwise have.  The Bible says, “His [God’s] divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (II Peter 1:3). Think about these four aspects of this verse:

1)      Originating Source.  The supply of spiritual energy is God himself.  The text calls this “His [God’s]” power.

2)      Specified Energy.  The energy is far more than human power, it is godly vitality because it is called “divine power”.

3)      Exhaustive Supply.  The resource God provides is comprehensive because it includes “everything we need” – that is, everything that is essential for our connection to God.

4)      Personal Connection.  Our link with God is intimate because He has “called us”.  God personally desires that we live a godly life as we grow spiritually and learn more about Him.

Being connected to God means that we have godly strength.  With this personal connection to God, we receive His divine power which is necessary to live a fruitful life that pleases Him.  Are you connected to God’s spiritual energy source?

Madness? Or Unique Prize?

In Minnesota the month of March is considered one of the snowiest months of the year.  This kind of weather might be thought of as madness or maddening.  Some people like the snow but some people do not.  One redeeming quality of snow in March is that it will soon melt when the warmer temperatures of late winter/early spring emerge.

“March Madness” is an event that takes place in March when 64 collegiate basketball teams qualify or are invited to participate in the NCAA tournament.  In this single elimination tournament the teams begin play and one by one those who lose fall by the wayside.  The goal is to be the last team standing by winning every game and being declared the NCAA National Champion.  Of course, the winning team receives the coveted title and trophy that goes with it.  To be the last team standing takes skill, dedication, hard work, persistence and patience.

In a gospel account, the Apostle Paul compared his life to athletic competition when he said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).  He was not referring to “madness” but to a prize.  No one who follows after God loses, only those who do not pursue Him.  The prize he referred to was not just a trophy or a national title, but something much greater.  Notice:

1)      The prize is the goal – press on toward the goal.  Therefore, we need to go after it.

2)      The prize is obtainable – to win the prize.  The goal can be reached.

3)      The prize is something that God offers – God has called me.  it is a divine call.

4)      The prize centers in God’s Son – in Christ Jesus.  A personal relationship with the God is crucial.

5)      The prize will require intense endeavor – I press on.  We need to pursue it.

As we launch into the spring season, what intrigues you the most – March Madness or the heavenly prize?  One might be fun to watch, but one is very beneficial for your life.  What do you need to do to keep your eye on the prize and strive for that which God has called you?  What might you need to do to turn some of the madness which you experience into the challenge to live a godly life?  Trust God and press on toward the goal.

Being Connected

On a recent vacation when I was out of range of Wi-Fi or did not have a proper password for a local hotspot, I discovered how important it is to be connected.  Not having the connection when I desired it, or thought I needed it, was frustrating.  Since I did not have a source of power, I was hindered in my effectiveness.  This situation reminded me of how important it is to be connected spiritually.  If we do not tap into God and experience His divine source of power we are hindered in our spiritual development and become ineffective.  It is so easy to think that we can get along quite nicely without God, but when we do so we actually deceive ourselves and lose the effectiveness that we should have.  The Bible reminds us that, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (II Peter 1:3).  Being connected with God gives us much more than human strength; it gives us God’s divine power that is so necessary to live a fruitful life that pleases Him.  Are you connected to God’s spiritual energy source?  (Check out John 1:12)