How did Jesus’ death and resurrection change the way we live? Here is a fifth and final devotion on understanding our new life in Christ:

IN WORD The power of God is at work in our lives. We know that because it’s written so clearly in our Bible and has been preached and taught so often. But life has a way of beating us down as though someone or something—some archenemy or some elemental principle of a fallen world—is trying to convince us that the power of God doesn’t apply to us, or that it isn’t all that powerful in the first place. That’s why many Christians feel defeated. The awesome power of God doesn’t seem all that accessible in real life. That has produced a curious dynamic.
The Bible raises our expectations with miracles and the majesty of God, and then many well-meaning teachers try to lower our expectations again so we won’t be disappointed. This dynamic sets up a choice for us: we can fix our hearts on what Scripture says, or we can accept the words of those who tell us to just be realistic. In other words, we have to choose whether we’re going to have faith or not. We know the right choice. Still, the promise seems too good to be true.
The power at work in and through us is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him in heaven. That’s what God offers us. That’s the power we’re called to place our faith in. And that’s why our expectations get raised so high when we read Scripture. God gives us no ordinary promises. We’re offered the greatest power in the universe.
IN DEED What will you believe today? In the trials you face, in the obstacles you come up against, in the discouragement that hounds you relentlessly, will you cast your confidence toward the power of God or the hard facts of “reality”? That’s the question that confronts you moment by moment in the life of faith. You either believe in God’s unimaginable power or you don’t. Decide today that you will. “If you can’t believe in God, chances are your God is too small.” —J. B. Phillips (in “God With Us” by Chris Tiegreen)

Next month will mark the end of my sixth year of service in Asia. One thing I have noticed is that Christians and non-Christians in Asia have a far greater perspective of God’s power than those in the US. Being on the frontlines of missions, miracles, and spiritual warfare are much more prevalent and God’s power is much more evident in the material world. As such, there is a greater emphasis on prayer and walking in faith as God’s Presence is much more real in daily life.
Perhaps one of the reasons why Christianity in North America and Europe is on the decline is exactly what Tiegreen is stating – that American Christians too easily explain away God’s manifestations in the physical realm and end up focusing on material ways, such as power and politics, to get “their way” more than in prayer and walking humbly in God’s will (Tiegreen notes that the lifestyle of American Christians are no different than non-Christians in rates of divorce, pursuit of happiness, etc., – unlike the contrast of lifestyles in Asia).
So is your God too small? Do you understand how powerful God is? A good book to be reminded of God’s power is the gospel of Mark. It is full of God’s actions. The very Jesus that displayed His power in Mark is the very same resurrected Jesus at work in the world today. As you read, ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of God’s power and invite Jesus to manifest the same power in your life today. Have a blessed week – and see you soon (I’ll be back in Seattle on June 4)! - from Singapore, Pastor Sam