LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, April 29. 2025

When Stephen is described as being full of power in the book of Acts, what does that mean?  In our last two devotionals we have already discovered four ways in which the power of God is at work in us. Here are the next two.  

5.  God’s power is at work so that we may stand up against any and all opposition and endure suffering for Christ’s sake.

Let’s look at two promises from Scripture. 2 Timothy 1:7-8 says. “ For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” 

And in Philippians 3:10 we read, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

Notice the two promises of power in these verses. God’s power in us makes us unashamed of Jesus in the face of worldly opposition, to the extent that we would willingly suffer for the sake of the Gospel because we know it brings us a greater experience of God’s resurrection power.

By embracing the power we already have to engage our culture with the Gospel we will gain even more power to stand up faithfully for Jesus. That is why we were called into faith so that we might fulfill God’s purpose of being His witnesses in the world no matter what it costs.

And that leads us to power principle number 6.

6.  God’s power is at work in us so that we may live by faith alone and bring glory to Jesus Christ.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 the Apostle Paul challenges the new believers in that city with this prayer.  “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.   We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Not only do we have a Divine purpose to share the Gospel with our culture, but we all have individual goals and desires as well. Paul says the power of God is at work in us to bring all of those goals and activities under His guidance so that everything we do or say is done for His glory. We make a lot of decisions every day that are solely based on our own preferences. What if every idea that springs into our minds, every plan we make to accomplish something we want to do, and every choice we make to pursue that plan, was brought into the context of God’s purpose for us? How would life change for us? I can guarantee one thing according to the Scripture. We would know more of God’s power and our lives would be lived in the glory of God’s presence.

So stand strong in the power of God. Live by faith in God alone. Do not trust your own understanding of life, but rather trust His power to fulfill every desire of your heart that matches His purpose for you. That’s real living.

Pastor John