More Power (1 Cor 4:20) by Bridget VanMeans

27 Jun More Power (1 Cor 4:20) by Bridget VanMeans

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB).  Leaders.  Guest Authors.
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“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” ~ (1 Cor 4:20) (full readings)
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Bridget’s Reflections:  I love our God for many reasons, but certainly one of my favorite attributes is His “talk is cheap” style.  He clearly frames a Christian faith that is full of power – less talk, more action.  And not just any action, but action that is energized by the dunomos (the word from which we derive “dynamite”) power of God.  Earlier in 1 Cor, Paul creates a vivid picture of how this would work, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Cor 2:4).  Again the concept is clear:  talk is cheap.  Anyone can talk.  In fact, the devil talks all the time, but his talk is all lies.  According to scripture, the devil is a defeated foe and all we have to do is resist him and he will flee from us.  I saw an amazing demonstration of the Spirit’s POWER at the ThriVe AliVe 5K in St. Louis last month.  The LIFE Runners were there along with hundreds of other Life-affirming Christ chasers.  The “goosebumps” moment was when Ed Heigl (pictured here) crossed the finish line carrying the American Flag.  It was only later that we all learned that Ed is battling stage 4 cancer and the pack attached to his side was for his ongoing chemotherapy treatments.  Here was Ed, running for the little ones’ lives while he was fighting for his own.  We all realized that we had just witnessed a nuclear demonstration of the Spirit’s power.  No talk, just power!  God was glorified in a stunning act of strength, courage and love.  And so I ask you, are you talking “about” God, or are you demonstrating His unmistakeable power in your life in a way that glorifies God?  Does His power working in and through you build the faith of those around you, does your walk provoke a hunger for God in others?  If your answer is like mine, it’s “more power please!”  Not to lift ourselves up, but rather to lift up the name of Christ, the all POWERFUL living and loving God.  More power please!
* Bridget VanMeans is the President of ThriVe St. Louis and has been involved in the Pro-Life movement for 16 years.  she delights in the raising of her 8 year old daughter Kailin.
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Faith Challenge:  Why not ask God to fulfill these POWER promises in your life?  O Lord, may we be demonstrators of your power that Christ may be lifted up and your Kingdom made real in the eyes of those around us.  Amen!
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Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed & Patron Saint. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  Saint Cyril of Alexandria.
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Faith Quote: “All that God requires of us is an opportunity to show what He can do.” ~ A.B. Simpson.
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Through Christ Our Lord,
Bridget