But God Can

Overflow with Craig Booker

Note: A lot of the material is inspired by Craig Groeschel's book. Each week, I take concepts from Pastor Craig Groeschel's book, The Power To Change, and apply them to brain health.

But God Can - Intro

Craig Groeschel begins this section much like the last, telling a story. In this instance, he tells about a Buick Century he once owned that got rear-ended. [1]

Prior to the accident, his Buick had “Sport Coupe” stenciled on the side. When he got it back from the repair shop, it had “Turbo Coupe” instead of “Sport Coupe.” [1]

“Because willpower doesn’t work, you and I really require more power. We can think we’re a Turbo Coupe, but we’re still just a Sport Coupe.” [1]

“Paul knew he needed more power. That’s why he asked in Romans 7:24, “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” (NIT). That is the question we all need to answer.” [1]

“But Paul answered his own question with his next sentence in verse 25: ‘Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord’ (NLT).” [1]

“Paul understood, I can’t get myself unstuck, so I need a power I don’t possess. The power he found was Jesus. Paul discovered, I can’t. But God can.” [1]

“Let’s look at something Paul wrote in another of his letters:’As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins’ (Eph. 2-1). Wow. The reality is, we don’t just feel stuck, we are stuck. Worse than stuck, we are dead.” [1]

“That’s discouraging. But Paul provided some hope-inducing truth. ‘I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead’ (Eph. 1:19-20 NLT).” [1]

“The same power that got Jesus out of a grave, resurrected from death to life, is available to you.” [1]

“In the next chapter of Ephesians, Paul wrote, ‘But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) (2:4-5 NLT).” [1]

“God will continue giving you new life in your dead places until his work is complete in you.” [1]

“Paul wrote that because of God’s grace, you have been “saved.”

Saved is a verb. You can write a verb in past, present, future, or perfect tense.

Past tense speaks of something that has already happened.

Present tense describes something happening right now.

Future tense refers to something that will happen eventually but hasn’t yet. [1]

“Perfect tense speaks of something that has happened in the past, is still happening in the present, and will continue in the future. It draws attention to the continuing effects of something that has happened in the past.

Paul wrote ‘saved’ in perfect tense! You were saved by God’s grace in the past, but the effect is still happening.” [1]

“You never have to feel defeated.

You can never give up.

Because God didn’t just save you. He saves you. He is constantly saving you.” [1]

“God will continue giving you new life in your dead places until his work is complete in you.” [1]

“You can’t, but God can. And God will, if you turn to his power.” [1]

Exercise

Complete these sentences to write out a prayer, being as specific as you can in what you are asking God to do in your life. Use this pattern as many times as you need. [1]

God, I can’t:

But you can by:

Principle

"You can’t, but God can.

And God will, if you turn to his power." [1]

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) -Ephesians 2:4 -5 NLT

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Sources:

[1] Groeschel, C. (2023). The Power to Change: Mastering the Habits That Matter Most. Zondervan.

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