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Saturday, August 3, 2013

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Leviticus 25:1, 8-17
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8
Matthew 14:1-12

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power house

"This Man is John the Baptizer — it is he in person, raised from the dead; that is why such miraculous powers are at work in Him!" —Matthew 14:2

Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptizer raised from the dead and that this was why Jesus had such miraculous powers. Although Herod was wrong about Jesus' identity, he was right about resurrection. Jesus was not John risen, but miraculous power is based on resurrection from the dead.

Through baptism, we "have been raised up in company with Christ" (Col 3:1). We have been baptized into Jesus' death and resurrection (Rm 6:5). Therefore, we have awesome power. As Jesus testified, we can even do greater by far than He Himself did (Jn 14:12). Our bodies are temples of Power, because they are temples of the Holy Spirit, Who is Power Itself (Acts 1:8).

Our temples of Power are clothed with power from head to toe (see Lk 24:49). Because we have been baptized into the family of the all-powerful God, we have power to move mountains (Mt 17:20), "cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons" (Mt 10:8). We can attack the gates of hell (Mt 16:18), bring down every stronghold opposed to Jesus (2 Cor 10:4), and shoot Satan himself out of the sky like lightning (see Lk 10:18). In Christ, through baptism into His death and resurrection, you are a power house. Act accordingly.

Prayer:  Father, may I let You empower me as Mary did.

Promise:  "May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear Him!" —Ps 67:8

Praise:  God protected the Williams' family from harm by arranging for them to not be at home when a hurricane toppled a tree through the roof of their bedroom. Praise You, Jesus, for Your constant protection!

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Power in the Spirit on audio AV 64-1 or video V-64.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 4, 2013

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