I remember when I was young and had the opportunity to go to the go-cart track. It would be fun, but I wished the go carts could go faster. They all had what are called “governors” on the engines. The governors limited the engine and the go-cart’s speed. In modern days, with the development of electronic engine controls, modern cars have computerized limiters on their maximum speeds. Without the limiters, most cars could go much faster.

In a similar way, Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” TLB

When it comes to God’s power in our lives, we are like the governor, or speed limiter on a car. We are the limiter of what God can do through us. The Gods Word translation says He is capable of doing “infinitely more than what we can ask or imagine.”

Let’s take the limits off of our belief in God’ power, and believe for much more.

Dear Lord, You created all things, from the sophistication of the atom and smallest cell, to the unfathomable majesty and vastness of the universe. Help us remember that your same power lives in us, to do great things that glorify you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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If you have been in the military or been to a military award ceremony, you have probably heard these words, “… the actions of [recipient] reflect great credit upon himself and the US Air Force [or other service] …” These are the words at the end of the citation that goes along with a medal received by a service member. The citation is typically read aloud in the presence of the service member’s organization.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:15-16, “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Jesus is saying that as Christians, we are carrying around the reputation of all Christians and the perception others have of our God. We should be examples of the love Jesus Christ showed us with his sacrifice, and our actions should reinforce the love Jesus shows all those who accept him. As a result, our actions should, like the award citation says, “…reflect great credit on Jesus Christ..” whom we represent.

Dear Lord You are the ultimate power and love. Help us show this to others through our belief in you for our needs, and reflection of your love, so that we may bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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I have this thought, occasionally, which creates a bit of anxiety.   Maybe you do too, “I trust God and his plans, but what if his plans include bad things that I fear, even though those bad things may have a purpose I cannot understand.”

To overcome this fear, I try to remember that God loves me, and all of His children, so much more than we can imagine.

John writes in 1 John 4:16-18, “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” and in verse 18, “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”

And Paul writes in Ephesians 3:16-18, “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

Without a doubt we will experience difficulty, sorrow and uncertainty, but we can always return to the knowledge that God loves us and we can expel our fear with this knowledge.

Dear Lord, what peace it provides to know that you love us beyond our understanding. Help us overcome our fear with this peace and realize the fullness of life and power that you promise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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In 2 Timothy, Paul is writing to Timothy from being imprisoned by the Roman Emperor Nero. He was quite sure he was not ever going to be free again, and was giving Timothy guidance on continuing his mission.

In 2 Timothy 4:3,4, he tells Timothy, “For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won’t listen to what the Bible says, but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas.”

I think if you look around at events in our present day, Paul’s words could easily apply to modern times.

In verse 5 he tells Timothy what to do. “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

This guidance applies to us as well as it did to Timothy. We need to stand steady and not be afraid of suffering for the Lord. For us, that suffering is not imprisonment or torture, it is likely to only be the “embarrassment” of believing in Biblical teaching, Christian values, and living them.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the words of Paul, encouraging us to hold to your values and beliefs. Help us stand steady, fearless in our faithful Christian lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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It is sometimes sad to think about the number of people we encounter in our day to day lives that have not accepted, or may not even have been exposed to God’s Salvation through Jesus. There is a constant battle going on for the hearts and souls of everyone, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

It is not possible to sit down and witness to everyone we encounter, but we can demonstrate God’s love with each interaction we have with others. 1 John 4:11-12 says, “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

We can never know what snowball effect a kind word or action may have on another person. I think the expression, “we may be the only Jesus someone may ever see,” is a good reminder of how to approach others.

Dear Lord, You have conquered sin and the devil, and we only need to believe and trust in you to be on your winning side. Help us to show your love to others in our daily lives so that we might be part your plan to bring them over to you as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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