The Great And Powerful God!
God isn’t a fake like the Wizard of Oz! He really is the great and powerful God!
He’s Got the Power
Power is strength, force, effectiveness, control, authority, among other things. Look up the word “power” in the dictionary for a greater picture of what is encompassed in such a small word. Note any additional insight into the word “power” in the margin.
The Bible is full of stories depicting God’s acts of power. Some of these include creation, redemption, and grace. Read the following encounters, then take a few minutes to record your thoughts and observations about God’s power. (Exodus 14:21-22, Acts 9:1-22, I Kings 18:22-38, Luke 1:26-45, John 11:41-44)
Can you wrap your mind around this concept? Take your time. Each of these examples can be overwhelming - like contemplating the size of the universe. The power of God can part the sea to reveal dry ground. The power of God can bring a terrorist to his knees before Christ and make him a mighty evangelist. The power of God burns so hot that it can consume a waterlogged piece of meat with fire and disintegrate it. The power of God can create life all by itself. The power of God can raise a man (or woman) from the dead.
Do you have a healthy grasp of this, now? If not, take a moment to really absorb the vastness of God’s power. Are you ready? I’m about to yank that rug out from under you. The power of God lives in you! Do you know that? As a Christian, Jesus gave you the Holy Spirit to live in your heart and be your teacher, comforter, counselor, etc. The Holy Spirit is God. Therefore, God lives in you. Re-read the paragraph above. That is the power that dwells inside of you. Perhaps you should take a few minutes to pray and thank God for giving you such an incredible gift.
God fills us with His power so we can be His ambassadors here on earth. The presence of His power allows Him to work mighty acts in us and through us. Can you think of any mighty acts He’s worked in or through you, lately? Write them down so you don’t forget that He is alive and active in you.
Aladdin’s genie can’t hold a match to your Daddy and mine! Our God has phenomenal cosmic power! And, as we discussed in the last chapter, His living space isn’t bad, either.
Now, let’s take a look at another aspect of God’s character.
He’s Grrrrrrrreat!
Thurl Ravenscroft passed away a while ago. “Who is that?” you might be asking. We’ll get to that in a minute. But first, do you realize that there are people who ask the same thing about God? Sadly, some who ask are Christians. How well do you know the Maker? What have you come to know about God? He’s…
Fair Loving Peaceful Judgmental
Joyful Gentle Kind Good
Faithful Powerful Controlling Awesome
How else would you describe Him? Do you have a difficult time looking Him in the eye? Or do you jump right into His lap and curl up?
How great is our Lord? He is glorious and majestic. Look up these words. Contemplate His greatness. He is greater than our wildest imaginings. Challenge to see Him as greater than we currently do.
Define “surpassing”. Dictionary.com says it means “exceptional”.
According to Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, God’s greatness is abundant.
The Treasury of David says that, because of God’s greatness, He should be greatly praised.
By the way, Thurl Ravenscroft was the voice of Tony the Tiger.
Stand Up Straight
What Posture Should We Take To Praise Him? Some approach God on their feet. Others come before Him on their knees. Still others cannot draw near to Him unless their heads are bowed. Some close their eyes. A few weep. If any of these stances help you draw closer to Him, praise God! But the posture we need to be concerned with is our heart. To truly appreciate God’s power and greatness, we must know Him. We get to know Him through His Word and through prayer and through observing His glorious creation. Once we truly know Him, we can’t help but come humbly before Him with awe and thankfulness.
If you’re taking the Challenge, review Psalm 150:1 and memorize Psalm 150:2
Recommendations for Praise
Music: CeCe Winans
Devotions: 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
That’s praise?
Keeping God in mind, do one or more of the following as an act of praising Him. Or come up with ideas of your own. What has the Lord taught you from the experience? (Go fly a kite, Play a game with your family, Turn off the TV, Watch the sun rise, Watch the sun set, Help someone move)
God isn’t a fake like the Wizard of Oz! He really is the great and powerful God!
He’s Got the Power
Power is strength, force, effectiveness, control, authority, among other things. Look up the word “power” in the dictionary for a greater picture of what is encompassed in such a small word. Note any additional insight into the word “power” in the margin.
The Bible is full of stories depicting God’s acts of power. Some of these include creation, redemption, and grace. Read the following encounters, then take a few minutes to record your thoughts and observations about God’s power. (Exodus 14:21-22, Acts 9:1-22, I Kings 18:22-38, Luke 1:26-45, John 11:41-44)
Can you wrap your mind around this concept? Take your time. Each of these examples can be overwhelming - like contemplating the size of the universe. The power of God can part the sea to reveal dry ground. The power of God can bring a terrorist to his knees before Christ and make him a mighty evangelist. The power of God burns so hot that it can consume a waterlogged piece of meat with fire and disintegrate it. The power of God can create life all by itself. The power of God can raise a man (or woman) from the dead.
Do you have a healthy grasp of this, now? If not, take a moment to really absorb the vastness of God’s power. Are you ready? I’m about to yank that rug out from under you. The power of God lives in you! Do you know that? As a Christian, Jesus gave you the Holy Spirit to live in your heart and be your teacher, comforter, counselor, etc. The Holy Spirit is God. Therefore, God lives in you. Re-read the paragraph above. That is the power that dwells inside of you. Perhaps you should take a few minutes to pray and thank God for giving you such an incredible gift.
God fills us with His power so we can be His ambassadors here on earth. The presence of His power allows Him to work mighty acts in us and through us. Can you think of any mighty acts He’s worked in or through you, lately? Write them down so you don’t forget that He is alive and active in you.
Aladdin’s genie can’t hold a match to your Daddy and mine! Our God has phenomenal cosmic power! And, as we discussed in the last chapter, His living space isn’t bad, either.
Now, let’s take a look at another aspect of God’s character.
He’s Grrrrrrrreat!
Thurl Ravenscroft passed away a while ago. “Who is that?” you might be asking. We’ll get to that in a minute. But first, do you realize that there are people who ask the same thing about God? Sadly, some who ask are Christians. How well do you know the Maker? What have you come to know about God? He’s…
Fair Loving Peaceful Judgmental
Joyful Gentle Kind Good
Faithful Powerful Controlling Awesome
How else would you describe Him? Do you have a difficult time looking Him in the eye? Or do you jump right into His lap and curl up?
How great is our Lord? He is glorious and majestic. Look up these words. Contemplate His greatness. He is greater than our wildest imaginings. Challenge to see Him as greater than we currently do.
Define “surpassing”. Dictionary.com says it means “exceptional”.
According to Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, God’s greatness is abundant.
The Treasury of David says that, because of God’s greatness, He should be greatly praised.
By the way, Thurl Ravenscroft was the voice of Tony the Tiger.
Stand Up Straight
What Posture Should We Take To Praise Him? Some approach God on their feet. Others come before Him on their knees. Still others cannot draw near to Him unless their heads are bowed. Some close their eyes. A few weep. If any of these stances help you draw closer to Him, praise God! But the posture we need to be concerned with is our heart. To truly appreciate God’s power and greatness, we must know Him. We get to know Him through His Word and through prayer and through observing His glorious creation. Once we truly know Him, we can’t help but come humbly before Him with awe and thankfulness.
If you’re taking the Challenge, review Psalm 150:1 and memorize Psalm 150:2
Recommendations for Praise
Music: CeCe Winans
Devotions: 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
That’s praise?
Keeping God in mind, do one or more of the following as an act of praising Him. Or come up with ideas of your own. What has the Lord taught you from the experience? (Go fly a kite, Play a game with your family, Turn off the TV, Watch the sun rise, Watch the sun set, Help someone move)