(Mary here. I have a wonderful new friend at Appalachian House of Prayer in Boone, NC. Susan Broderick is a prayer partner and a talented worshipper/keyboard player with our praise team. Although I, personally, have never been “into” the computer gaming frenzy, my children and grandchildren have been and are BIG TIME. I know many adults enjoy them. Susan is one of those and, a few weeks ago, she shared a thought with me. That God-inspired thought led to the article below.  We both hope it will speak to “gamers” young and old about the necessity of a power-full relationship with Jesus!)

POWER UP!

If you have ever played a video game that has “quests” in order to beat the game then you know that, in order to win, you need to “POWER UP!”

Each level requires you to gather weapons, increase your strength or “add lives” in order to conquer the new enemies waiting for you as you gain a higher score or victory.

No surprise here then to know that that is how it also works in our faith-walk with Jesus. Remember, the devil always tries to counterfeit what God has for His people. We must continually “POWER UP!” with Him!

How do we do that?

First, we must turn on the game!

Our quest (journey) with Jesus begins when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord; believing He is the Son of God and agreeing with the truth of ALL of the Gospel.

Then, we “POWER UP!” with the Holy Spirit who comes to live in us. But, our “POWER UP!” doesn’t end there!

We live in this world until we are called home to Heaven. There’s an enemy here fighting us constantly who does not want us to live in victory and to share Jesus with others.

Unlike those quest games with “secrets” hidden several levels deep, the “not-so secret” secret of the Bible is that our enemy has ALREADY been defeated by Jesus! Now, WE just need to “POWER UP!”, believe it and act like it as we grow in our faith-walk. (John 16:33)

We can “POWER UP!” every day! One way is by reading and studying the Bible. (Psalm 119:105) I don’t know about you but, there are times I start playing a game and I have no clue what the instructions are so, I just bumble through without knowing things, such as special combinations, that will help me get more powers. God doesn’t want us stumbling and bumbling through our battles with the devil. His VERY CLEAR instructions for our victory are in His Word!

“POWER UP!” with prayer! Prayer takes many forms of communicating with the Lord – praise, thanksgiving, requests, and listening for His voice – from which we receive wisdom and strategies.

Many games now can be linked to social media and our friends can be “lifelines” to help us win the game. Our greatest friend/lifeline in our faith-walk is Jesus! He wants us to spend time with Him in prayer; to seek Him with all of our hearts. He then prepares us for the next levels of our faith-walk.

Another important “POWER UP” is having fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Just as we get a sense of teamwork with our social-media friends who help us with our game, so we are encouraged on our faith-walk when we “team up” with others. The Bible tells us that where two or more are gathered together in Jesus’ name, He is there! Wow!!! (Matthew 18:20) The Bible also teaches us about the increased power level of the prayer of agreement!

There are other ways to “POWER UP!” Serving others by using the gifts and talents the Lord has given us, sharing our faith in Jesus…I’m sure you can think of many others.

How are YOU going to “POWER UP!” today?

Susan Broderick