With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

18 / Sun  | Read Acts 1:8 / Luke 12:48b

Overview: Spider-Man’s supernatural powers (thanks, to a radioactive spider bite), needed to be used responsibly. The Holy Spirit gives us supernatural power in many ways to serve God and others. How responsibly are we using that power?

19 / Mon – Quitting  |  Read 2 Chronicles 15:7

Have you ever been so frustrated and powerless with a situation that you wanted to throw your hands up and quit? Satan loves it when you are like that. Don’t give in. Pray. The power of the Holy Spirit – the Comforter – is with you. Rest in that and press onward. God promises He will never leave you nor forsake you.

20 / Tue – Powerless  |  Read Matthew 23:12 / 1 Peter 5:3

The opposite of power is powerlessness, weakness, and incapacity. King Saul misused his power in a jealous attempt to kill David. Later David did the same thing to commit adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed. Jesus was put on the cross by jealous religious leaders fearful of losing their power. Have you experienced someone misusing their power to affect you? How did God lead you through?

21 / Wed – Ripple Effect  |  Read Luke 6:31 / 1 Peter 4:10

Having power means having the ability to affect people and things. Big decisions we make can have consequences for our families, neighbors, or employees, for better or worse. And small things too, like cutting someone off in traffic or letting them cut in front of you. All have a ripple effect. Are you communicating with God when wielding the power that you have? How does it affect your decisions?

22 / Thu – Power Source  |  Read Proverbs 16:3

Money, status, and connections can be powerful. Most of us have at least one of these to some extent, big or small. Do we use money to help others or to fill our lives with toys and amusement? How do we use our status and connections? Is God at the head of that equation? Glorify Him with these temporary earthly gifts.

23 / Fri – Power Play  |  Read 2 Corinthians 12:9

In some sports there are power plays which is when a team member is penalized and removed from the game for a specified time, creating a weak spot so the opposing team has more opportunity to score. Satan wants to find your weak spots and take advantage of them. What is yours? Whose hands are they in? Give them to the Lord, stay prayed up. Don’t let your weaknesses discourage you because the Lord will give you grace, and his power will strengthen you.

24 / Sat – Power Prayers  |  Read Jeremiah 32:17 / Ephesians 3:20-21

Power walks, power naps, and power drinks all purport to keep us alert and healthy, raring to go. They work in the short term here in our earthly bodies, and we get things done. Long term, though, God is the ultimate power. Prayer and relationship with Him is key to spending eternity with Him. Are you plugged into His ultimate power? Would quick ‘power prayers’ during the day help keep you connected?