Belief and Behavior…Who we are in Christ

I teach science, technology, engineering and math in some form every school day. It is my job. People say I teach like the energizer bunny, full of excitement, engaging the students from start to finish. I was just told that yesterday as our teachers on staff were evaluated for our strengths.

Randy and I are teaching a class for adults at church for a few weeks. After the first class, I was told that we bring excitement to what we do. (However, there was one church person who didn’t prefer my exciting, energizing approach.) Aside from that, I have to question, WHY am I like I am? My inner goal, my passion in teaching, any topic to anyone, is for them to become as excited, energetic with boundless strength to become life long learners of whatever God wants them to learn! So, I “get” Paul.

This energy that we are talking about, this passion that brings strength beyond ourselves comes from the inside out…it comes from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord must be at the center of our being! I am weak. HE is strong. I am powerless. HE is all power. I am nothing without Him. HE is everything to me. HE is God and i am not. I love Him with all my heart, my mind and my soul. Seriously.

Every day this energizer bunny wakes with burdens on her heart, weaknesses in her limbs and apprehensions about the tasks before her. Then I sit down with the Savior and everything changes. He infuses his power and strength in me reaching to every part of me from the inside out. This is the best way I can describe it. I am no superwoman, but I am a believer who fervently prays with humble gratitude for the One who gets me through each hour of every day.

Yes, I get Paul. I pray you will understand the depth of the words Paul is saying to all believers. See what God is doing in us! And be grateful. Humbly grateful.

Ephesians 1, The Message

15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

20-23 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

What do we learn?
–Recognize the good in believers and thank them for their loving behaviors.
–Thank God for believers who have touched our lives.
–Never stop praying for focus and clarity, realizing it is Jesus in us who makes all things happen.
–Tap into the power of the resurrected Christ in us!
–Be overwhelmed with Christ in us! Allow His strength to course their every vein our being! Be filled with Christ to overflow and splash on others seeking Him!
–At the center of it all is Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
–Jesus fills everything with His Presence! Hallelujah, Amen!

Dear Heavenly Father, What encouraging words You have given us this morning. Oh, how I love You! Be our endless energy and boundless strength today! In Jesus Name, Amen! I believe!

And I’m singing…”there is power in the Name of the Lord”…