What's dead in your life that should be alive? There are plenty of things that should be dead in a Christian — Paul counsels us to "by the Spirit ... put to death the misdeeds of the body," for instance — but there are things that should be alive that may be dead.

Jesus told the church at Sardis that they had a reputation for being alive but were nearly dead. They needed an infusion of Resurrection power, and He is the Source.

Jesus told us in John 15 that we could do nothing of ourselves, that it was of paramount importance for the branches to be connected to the Vine. Branches that get disconnected from the vine aren't good for anything.

But just as Romans teaches us that God can graft in dead branches, Pastor Rick Warren shows us how God can do much more than that. He can make anything dead alive. Just like when He asked Ezekiel, "Can these bones live?" And Ezekiel answered wisely, "Sovereign Lord, You alone know." That's what Resurrection power is all about.

Plugging into Resurrection Power

By Pastor Rick Warren

“But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9b NLT, second edition). 

Life is tough. I realize that’s no surprise to you. You live with that truth every day. Some of us are going through emotional difficulties. Some of us are going through physical issues. Some of us are going through relational issues. 

All of us are going through something.

Even one of the great heroes in all of the Bible — Paul, the apostle — went through tough times. The Bible says he was once so depressed he told God he was ready to die. He even asked God to kill him! 

How did Paul get through that difficult time? 

He plugged into Jesus’ Resurrection power.

Paul wrote, “But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead” (1 Corinthians 1:9b NLT, second edition).

The Bible says Paul felt “crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure.” He got to the end of himself.

And that’s exactly where he needed to be.

There’s only one condition for God’s power in your life: humility. You must admit you need it. God does not give his power to arrogant people. Humility tells the Lord, “You are God, and I’m not. You’re right, and I’m not. You have the power, and I don’t. You are wise, and I’m not. And I am powerless to change this situation, so I’m going to give it to you.”

The moment you do that, God brings the power of the Resurrection of Jesus into your situation.

God specializes in bringing back to life dead things. God loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections.

What’s dead in your life? If God can raise a dead person, he can raise a dead marriage, a dead career, or a dead dream. God can do anything.

That’s the power of the Resurrection. 

Talk It Over

• What seemingly dead, hopeless thing in your life do you need God to resurrect?
• What keeps you from believing that the God who raised men from the dead can handle your toughest situation?
• How can you humble yourself?

This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

PRAY

Father, throughout Scripture You took things and people that were dead and made them live again. Now, You've put that power in us, not just to rise on the last day but to be empowered every day. Those things that ought to live and thrive in our lives, please, make them live again. Breathe new life into every part of us that should testify to Your greatness and profit Your Kingdom. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

REFLECT

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. — Ephesians 2:4-5

RESPOND

In our final installment, Chris Tiegreen helps us understand how those dead bones live again. It's one thing to understand and believe that they can. It's another thing to avoid getting in the way of it happening.