Tag: power

Who Are You?

January 18, 2017

Who Are You?

Who are you? This is an issue that Christians deal with often. Understanding who we are in Christ, and the gifts that have been passed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Are we able, qualified, worthy? These and many more questions arise when God begins to tug at our hearts with a dream or a purpose.

The mission and purpose of God in your life is not something that can be accomplished without the transformation that takes place at redemption. People have tried to cheat the process but it never works.

Do you remember Acts 19?

Acts 19:13-15 NASB

13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”

14 Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”

It may not seem relevant to the passage but those three words came to me a few nights ago while in prayer.

Who are you? Now I didn’t doubt that God knew who I was. That was not the question. Did I know who I was in Him and can I multiply that concept in someone else. Teaching the kingdom authority that Christ transferred to us by His Finished Work.

The Bible is filled with people who understood their relationship with God and His abilities transferred to us. The most common of these powerful characteristics is the power that comes from prayer.

I don’t think any of the principles from God carries more weight than prayers that are prayed in faith, and from compassion. These prayers will move God to answer. I think sometimes that people either don’t believe, or they feel unworthy of His kingdom principles.

Many people in the church are more convinced of their unworthiness than they are of His worth. Our inability has taken on greater focus than His ability.

This is likely a result of not knowing who they are in Christ.

When we have servant meetings in our church I always refer to Jesus in the upper room. They did not understand when He washed their feet. He told them to do as He did. He was teaching them and us that power was not given to lord over people’s lives. It was given to serve, to strengthen, to encourage, and to reveal Kingdom principles to those who would hear.

The power of God is clothed in humility. Used to advance the Kingdom of Christ and to reveal Jesus to the world.

So who are you? As I finish these short thoughts today I want to quote the Apostle Peter.

1 Peter 2:9-10 NASB

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

This is who you are. Walk in it and change the world you live in!!

Be blessed and walk in His favor. In Jesus name

The Peaceful Transition of Power

January 11, 2017

“The Peaceful Transition of Power”

This is a phrase I have heard a lot lately. It is a commitment of honor from an administration leaving power. The commitment is to provide the information and help needed for a new power to develop their administration and get familiar with the office they hold.

I know this is a thumbnail of the process, and please don’t think that I am about to write a political discourse. I use this example to share some thoughts, and introduce a transition of power that happened more than two thousands years ago.

Let me share one of the introductions of this world changing event, and transfer of power. These are the words of Jesus.

John 14:16-17 NASB

16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.

Jesus care and concern for His followers is one of the hallmarks of His ministry. This is an undeniable altruism.

His followers were concerned at Him leaving so He was beginning to comfort them and assure them that He would not leave them without heavenly help and a heavenly connection. One that would be inside them and easily accessible.

I love this stuff. The presence and purpose of God is the strongest force on earth. Utilized for His glory and the care of His people. Those who follow Him, and those who don’t. This global and unified purpose has changed the world for over two thousand years. It’s power has not diminished, yet I wonder if our understanding of it’s use has evolved to something it was never intended to be.

The service of Christ was enveloped in humility. His ministry was not exclusive to those who believed in Him. He reached for and never gave up on those who would not believe. Even reminding them from His time on the cross of Psalms that pointed to Him and what was happening.

The power He transferred to His church and the individual members is all about service, and multiplying. Serving our world in whatever means we can. All the while telling the story of Jesus and His love for all mankind.

Here is His statement shortly before His ascension.

Acts 1:8 NASB

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

These Disciples would very shortly become Apostles. They were given the commission from Jesus to carry His story throughout the world. He knew they would need Divine authority. They would also need Divine help. They gathered together in an upper room along with approximately 120 people. They took care of business and then the transition of power began.

Acts 2:2-4 NASB

2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

This may not have been viewed as a peaceful event. People gathered to hear the story of Jesus. Even hearing it in their own language.

This event empowered the small group of people to go forth with the anointing that Christ passed down. The anointing to tell the story of Jesus and confirm it with the miraculous power of healing and Dominion Authority.

It has rattled entire worlds for over 2000 years.

It is amazing the relevance that an event that long ago continues to be the driving force of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This gift has not faded away with faithless theology. It has not been dismantled or invalidated. At least not by the Father.

When you read the scriptures with an open mind I pray you remember the words of the Apostle Paul in His second letter to the church in Corinth.

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 NASB

5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

This awesome transition of power is still relevant today. In the hearts of all of us who believe in the Words of God and the life He represented. I would ask you when you pray to pray this way. Pray as our Lord taught us to pray.

Matthew 6:9-13 NASB

9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

I pray blessings and favor for you. Thanks for looking.