Power Outage: Are You Connected?

Two weeks ago the East coast experienced heavy winds and rain that knocked out power in areas as long as a few hours to weeks! I experienced a temporary loss of power because of the weather, but on that day, I felt as if I was back at home in Mississippi because the winds felt like I was in a Category 1 Hurricane and the damage to my roof plus the power being out had me in a pickle!  I’ve experienced enough in my life and have been on my Christian journey long enough to know that when something unfavorable in my life happens, it’s so that God can come on the scene and show his favor.  Oh, did I mention my home was the ONLY home with damage?  (That is another post for another day) I laughed and said, Okay God…what do you want me to do?  I proceeded to speak to my earthly father who is my voice of reason (this was after consulting with my heavenly father), and he told me to make some calls.  Of course, lines were busy or businesses were closed for the day, so I decided pull out my Bible app on my phone and watch a video/movie from the app.  Within 15-20 minutes, my power was back on!!

Two days ago, God brought this back to my remembrance as I read about Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness.  My pastor taught on it that day but I received a new revelation that evening! We know that Jesus is God (John 1:1) in human form.  He sacrificed his place in heaven to fulfil his purpose by obeying and submitting to the will of God.  He was God, but he was human.  He experienced, felt, and saw everything as we do today, however, he was unable to sin and that’s what makes him different from us.  So we know this right?

After his baptism, “He was led by the Holy Spirit to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1).  By the way, God tests and Satan tempts. The two words can be interpreted and used interchangeably and I just want to be clear so you wouldn’t think God is trying to harm you when he leads you into situations. Remember, He suggested Job to Satan for testing (Job 1:8). God’s motive and Satan’s motives are COMPLETELY different! “And remember, when you are being tempted do not say, “God is tempting me.”  God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.  Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away” (James 1:13-14) Is it possible that the Spirit of God has led you into the tests and trials that you are currently in?  Could God be testing you to see if you are serious about your faith and him? I sure felt that way the day of that Windstorm!  Especially as I stood outside looking down the row of homes that had perfectly shingled and metaled rooftops!

“After He had gone without food for forty days and forty nights, he became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are the Son of God command that these stones become bread.”  But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:2-4 AMP)  So we have the “tempter” which is Satan coming to do his job when Jesus was at this weakest!  Jesus had not eaten for forty days and forty nights and was hungry.  Can you imagine someone coming up to you trying you when you are hungry? Tired? Not feeling Good?  Let me tell you, and those who know me know that when I am hungry, I am actually HANGRY (HUNGER AND ANGRY)! Just continue to intercede for me! But Jesus was weak as any human being would be and he was the Son of God.  At this point, I realized that Jesus was just as human as you and I and though he could not sin, he felt weak, tired, hungry, and probably all other emotions that has made him relatable to us.  Had he not experienced this and many other trials and tribulations he wouldn’t be able to be our Intercessor. “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:14-15)

Where did Jesus get this strength from to clap back at Satan until he overcame him? By the way…Jesus clapped back at Satan using the Word of God.  This is our answer whenever Satan sends his negativity, lies, demons and whatever else to discourage us or make us feel anything less that what God has said.  Use God’s word against him.   I realized that Jesus knew that because he was in human from, he had to depend on God for EVERYTHING.  He knew that God was THE SOURCE of his strength, ability, and POWER.  So, who is YOUR SOURCE?  WHO ARE YOU CONNECTED TO?

As believers in Jesus Christ, we must follow His example and connect to God and depend on him as the SOURCE. We must connect to him through prayer, reading our word, and fasting. Didn’t Jesus do this? Jesus was described throughout the New Testament as going alone to pray, looking up to heaven before performing miracles, etc.  Jesus depended on God.  He was able to overcome Satan, perform many miracles, clap back at the Religious scribes and leaders, and teach and preach, overcome death and sin because of WHO he relied on.  Yes he was God, but he emptied himself to become human to show us we must empty ourselves as well (instead of trying to be self-sufficient and self-reliant) and depend on God too.

There’s a song out called “The Plug” and I am not too familiar with it, but I get the gist of it basically saying that the person who is “The Plug” is the “resource” for getting something that would be difficult to get.  ( Am i correct, lol) But check this out resource isn’t as important as the Source.  The Plug can be us or someone or something that we depend on to get what we need.  The husband/bae/wife, job, home, car, can all be considered “plugs” if you are depending on them for what you need.  They are resources that come from “somewhere/someone”.  If we are depending on ourselves to make things happen then we could be considered our own “Plug” but we aren’t connected to anything.  Without being connected to a Source, the main source, which is God through Jesus Christ, you cannot and will not be able to do anything for very long. ““Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John‬ ‭15:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬) You will always be dry, worn out, and tired. Think about a plug that is out of the socket…useless right?  “The Plug” (YOU and I) must be “connected” to “The Source” (God) to obtain the “POWER” (of the Holy Spirit) to do what God has called us to do.

So what if you are connected to the Source and you experience a Power Outage!  Most likely something or someone has knocked your power out! You are attending church, reading your bible, striving to live a life pleasing to God, however, you are still struggling in your journey.  Can I be honest?  This is me!  I have moments where I am so tired, and want to throw in the towel, but there is a spark inside of me that won’t let me disconnect.  I have to figure out how to get my power back on.  After doing some research, I’ve learned that if you experience a power outage some reasons can be faults at the power stations, a short circuit, or the overloading of electricity mains.  What has caused your Power outage?  Is it you? Is there anything blocking the Power of the Holy Spirit from moving through you?  Are you in your own way?  If so, surrender your desires, wants, dreams, ideas and opinions to God and give the Holy Spirit permission to flow through you.  Are you taking on too much? Involved in too many activities and have to learn to say “No”?  This could also include church activities if there are too many things you are involved in, you have to be led by the Holy Spirit and know when to say no.  Are there people you are connected to that are zapping your energy from you or are negative?  One word, DISCONNECT.  Whether they are family or friends, you must disconnect so you can regain your power!!

I self reflect often to make sure that I am not in my own way and do not have anything in me preventing the power from flowing.  Assess your life, make sure you do not have a Power Outage, and if you do,  check to make sure you are still connected to the Source and figure out a way to get your Power back! The storms of life, people, your job, etc. can knock your power out but if you want to be the light and make a difference, you must depend on a source that is greater than you, that will give you supernatural ability to do, create, and say things that you know you wouldn’t be able to do in your own strength.  Connect yourself with the Source who started and created it all! God! Get your Power back and “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and (recognize and honor and) glorify your father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, AMP)

Love, Ashley Nicole