What God is Able to Do - In Us

Good morning, Five Minute Families. Thanks for joining us this morning for part two of our three-part series looking at what God is able to do FOR us, what God is able to do IN us, and what God is able to do THROUGH us.As 1 Corinthians 12 points out, God gives us spiritual gifts to use for the good of one another. A family can be filled with so many different personalities and interests that sometimes it can be hard to see what God is doing IN each one of us. We may easily see the giftedness of our family members but struggle to see what gift God has given us or where God wants us to use that gift.Just as spiritual gifts are real, and one person’s giftedness may be overwhelmingly obvious, it is also true that there are blessings and gifts that God gives to each and every one of us as His children. Just as we encouraged you last week, please listen to the many verses we are about to share, then choose one and spend time in meditation, prayer, and study learning about that one aspect of what God is able to do IN us. Follow up that personal time of learning, by sharing with your family what God revealed to you. As a family, you could even each choose a different verse, and during your next family devotional, have each family member share together. Each of us is able because God fills us through the fullness of His son Jesus Christ. In Colossians 1:19 we read “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.” And in Ephesians 4:10 - “He [Jesus] who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.”That filling means that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and, thus, God helps us to overcome temptation. Hebrews 2:18 says, “For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” And 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that “no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” God’s places in us incredible strength. As the world may fall around us, we must remember the words of Isaiah 41:10 - “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” When we remember that God is in us, we can speak as Paul did in 1 Timothy 1:12 - “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service.”Because God gives us His strength, He is able to work IN us. He equips us just as Hebrews 13:21 points out - “May God… equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.” Likewise, we do not have to fret about anything He calls us to work in because just as Ephesians 2:10 states, “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”Now, taking in those first four points of what God is able to do IN us… let’s pause for a minute and think about how many of us have uttered the words “if I win the lottery, I am going to build a fabulous house with a movie theater, indoor pool, large game room,…”? You get the point. What an amazing inheritance we would be able to leave our children if we won the 450 million lottery! But, five minute families, how often do we pause to remember the inheritance that God has ALREADY GIVEN us? AND, how that inheritance will help us to “build” the abundant life He desires for us. Acts 20:32 reminds us “I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.” And Ephesians 1:18 also states, “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”We have a rich inheritance and can have an abundant earthly life no matter what is happening in our lives or in our family circumstances. When we pause to remember that God is able -- and not only is He able; he DOES -- we can more greatly appreciate what God is able to do in us and our families. May you be blessed to know that God is doing a good work in you and your family. Be blessed!