By: Dr. Jeff Fuller
Information is cheap. We can fill our minds with anything in seconds.
Information is at our fingertips. Just Google any subject and before you know it, you will know everything you need to know about any subject you desire to know more about. From amazing recipes to effective exercise tips-especially on our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter news feeds…information is there for you!
Yet, information alone will not cook our meals or get us through a marathon. No, information is only valuable if it leads to action.
The Apostle Paul writes:
“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father; knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election, how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake. And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit; so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything. For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-9 (ASV)
Turning information to empowerment is a principle which applies to our relationship with Jesus. It takes more than knowledge in our heads to transform our hearts. Change begins when we act on what we believe. Paul tells this to the church in Thessalonica. They have received the Gospel, “not simply with words, but also with power.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
Make note of the above verse: They not only accepted Jesus’ message, but they were also empowered by Jesus’ message.
They were empowered to fulfill the calling to love others, endure with hope (verse 6), have joy despite suffering (verse 8), and turn away from sin to serve God (verse 9). What a wonderful power to change our lives through information at our fingertips.
As followers of Jesus this same power is available to us, today. We find freedom from sin that entangles us, experience healing from our past, forgive those who have hurt us, and live with purpose. What a wonderful power to change our lives through information at our fingertips.
Please be aware, this life of supernatural empowerment does not happen by accident. After we ask Jesus to take ownership of our hearts (TO BE LORD OF OUR LIVES), we make the choice to move forward in our walk with Him. One important bit of information I must add: Following Jesus is a journey that happens one step at a time.
Jesus has more planned for our lives than we could ever imagine. But He will not force us to comply, to cooperate. Will you treat your faith like those unused recipes and exercise tips that populate Social Media?
While we take our next steps in the Christlike walk, we experience the power of God at work in our lives…
The choice is ours!
Until next time…