Super Powers

Super Powers

Revelation 17: ⁹ “This calls for wisdom and understanding. The seven heads are seven hills, on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings: ¹⁰ five of them have fallen, one still rules, and the other one has not yet come; when he comes, he must rule only a little while. ¹¹ And the beast that was once alive, but lives no longer, is itself an eighth king who is one of the seven and is going off to be destroyed.

 

¹² “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet begun to rule, but who will be given authority to rule as kings for one hour with the beast. ¹³ These ten all have the same purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. ¹⁴ They will fight against the Lamb; but the Lamb, together with his called, chosen, and faithful followers, will defeat them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings.”

 

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Wanting to be a superhero, I grabbed a bath towel and tied it around my neck. The other kids did the same. We held our arms out in front of us and now, we were flying! We jumped, skipped, ran and made ray gun noises that had to be explained. “I just shot you with my ray powers!”

 

• We wanted to be superheroes.
• Even though there were a lot of us, our army was not strong.
• When each household said it was time to come in, we had to lay down our pretense and go inside.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was given the meaning of the seven heads and ten horns of the beast. During this time, people will think they are in power and will gather together to form a futile fight against JESUS.

 

My Observations:

• I have no power, BUT JESUS, who has all authority, is my strength.
• I have no authority, BUT JESUS, who has been place above everything, shares HIS authority with me.
• I have no way to change situations, BUT JESUS, hears my cry and understands everything I can and will go through, and HE empathizes with me to provide the HOLY SPIRIT to guide me.

 

There is no power greater than JESUS. I mean, I cannot go anywhere the get away from HIS power, nor can I usurp HIS authority. Not height, depth or breadth can keep me away from HIS love. HE is worthy of all honor, praise and glory.

 

Humans rise to power temporarily, but if they do not bow to JESUS their efforts are futile. Their attempts to enslave or to take over the world will be met with the power and authority of JESUS who is LORD of lords and KING of kings! I place my faith in HIM.

 

Challenge

• How did the angel get the writer’s attention?
• Have you ever wanted to be in power?
• Will you surrender your power to JESUS so HE will guide you through the HOLY SPIRIT to a place of victory today?

Cannot Be Contained

Cannot Be Contained

Revelation 1: ⁹ I am John, your brother, and as a follower of Jesus I am your partner in patiently enduring the suffering that comes to those who belong to his Kingdom. I was put on the island of Patmos because I had proclaimed God's word and the truth that Jesus revealed. ¹⁰ On the Lord's day the Spirit took control of me, and I heard a loud voice, that sounded like a trumpet, speaking behind me. ¹¹ It said, “Write down what you see, and send the book to the churches in these seven cities: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

 

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After putting on a refrigerator water filter, I went to work. When I returned home ten hours later, I heard a splash sound in a place that should not have that noise. I went into the basement and there was water everywhere!  The filter connection was faulty and sometime during the day, sprung a leak.

 

• I thought I had contained the water.
• When the water found a way out, it went into every opening it could find.
• There was so much water that no container I had would hold it.

 

John, the disciple who JESUS loved, was exiled to the island o Patmos for preaching about JESUS. This would be the equivalent to going to prison in today’s terms. The HOLY SPIRIT spoke loudly to get John’s attention. HE had John write down a vital revelation of JESUS that would be addressed to seven churches. Even in exile, John was still being used by GOD.

 

My Observations:

• When I think I am stuck GOD can use me.
• When I feel helpless and hopeless, GOD is still there.
• When I am tossed into exile by the powers that be, GOD can take my words and spread them everywhere.

 

GOD cannot be contained. I mean, for centuries, the message of GOD’s love has been attempted to be silenced, but it has grown exponentially. The world may speak about believers of JESUS in a negative way, BUT GOD knows HIS servants and gives you and me a purpose.

 

Even when the world tries to steal JESUS by making HIM into their image, GOD sees the theft and spreads HIS true love anyway. GOD is the truth. JESUS is the Way the Truth and the Life. I am glad HIS Word cannot be contained!

 

Challenge

• Who is the writer partnering with?
• Have you ever felt stuck or isolated?
• Will you preach GOD’s message of love about JESUS anyway, knowing GOD’s message cannot be stopped or contained by humans?

Too Powerful

Luke 9: ⁷ Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, ⁸ and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. ⁹ Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.

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Watch the water rise was all I could do. It had rained seemingly nonstop for days and now the area was flooded. Stopping by the edge of the river I noticed the current picking up heavy branches. Nothing could stop the water.

• I have seen rivers flood entire towns.
• I have seen rivers wipe away heavy buildings.
• I have seen rivers push their mighty force on anything in their path.

Herod thought he could have a peaceful rulership by getting rid of those who spoke of someone who could be more powerful than him. His envious, suspicious, devious nature got the best of him so he had John the Baptist murdered. BUT GOD was still there.

• GOD shows me HIS power cannot be stopped.
• GOD shows me HIS word is permanent and cannot be prevented from spreading.
• GOD shows me HIS will is impenetrable, irreversible and impeccable.

The Good News about CHRIST is too powerful to stop. Like a rushing river, it wipes out those who try to stand is HIS way. HIS protection of me is the same. Those who try to harm me befall a terrible outcome as GOD steps in with HIS might. JESUS is too powerful to stop. I am grateful for HIS rescue.

• Is your life about you or JESUS?
• Do you think blessings are held back from you?
• Will you stop thinking GOD is powerless and watch HIS mighty river pour down on the enemy who is no match for HIS torrent?