Have you ever had a car that would not start? With my car, I would give it a jump and it would run for a little while. But soon after, it would cut off. The battery was being drained. It simply would not hold its charge. The reason was because the alternator was not properly connected. The battery is designed to start the car. However, once the car is started, it continues to run off the alternator. It has been said that the alternator is the hardest working part in the car. The alternator charges the battery even while driving. If the alternator is not connected, then you are driving purely on the power of the battery; the power of a battery that is slowly and continuously being drained. When we try to do things in our own strength, it is like not being connected to the alternator.
In part 1, we talked about our need for strength and how that strength is always sourced outside of us. We also talked about the source of strength. True strength comes from God. God’s strength is made available to us by and through His Grace.
Strength on Display:
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’.” 2 Cor. 12:9
The root for the word strength (dunami) means “to be able”. That is to be able by both ability and authority. For example, on your job you might be able to do something by skill set. However, you may not have the authority to do it. Likewise, you may have the authority to do something, but not have the resources. God is able to do by ability and authority. Here the word for strength (dunamis) means force or miraculous power. It is strength/power in action. So it goes beyond being able to do it, it means “just did it”.
Often when we think of dunamis or miracles, we focus on the act itself. In other words, when a lame man is healed, it is a display of dunamis. The healing is the manifestation of the strength at work. We know something was done because we see the result of it.
Being Connected:
Like a car battery we need to continually be charged. This means that we need to be connected. God wants to supply us with His power. Here are 2 things that can hinder our connection and stop us from being “fully charged” with His power.
• One of the things that can drain a car battery is human error. An example of this would be leaving the headlights on. In our case, it can be un-confessed sin.
• Parasitic drain is another reason a battery can be drained. An example of this is when you turn the ignition off and components in the car are still running. An equivalent of this would be the company that we are keeping.
Thoughts To Grow On:
What are some of the ways we hinder God from moving in our life?
We should get a jump daily.
