01/16/2024
Great power accompanies great faith. When we have an abiding faith in Jesus Christ we have gained access to the ultimate power of the creator. Nothing is beyond His ability, and in the name of Jesus nothing is beyond ours either. Jesus said this openly of Himself, and we should not be apologetic about the faith and power in our lives either.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Matthew 28:18 KJV
But, with great power comes great responsibility. Our spiritual power grows with our faith, just as the privileges we give our children grow as they demonstrate their ability to handle them. If we demonstrate our ability to walk and pray within the will of God then He gives us the ability to do great, and greater things yet for Him.
The last words that Jesus spoke before His Ascension are thrilling because they speak directly of where the power that our faith commands comes from, and why it is given to us... our power comes from God by way of His Holy Spirit, and is given so that we can witness of Jesus, and glorify God..
“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Acts 1:4-9 KJV
So as our acceptance of the Holy Spirit increases and our witness of Jesus Christ swells... So will the power that God trusts us with. Does this thrill you, intimidate you, or frighten you?
The filling of the Holy Spirit scares some believers. They have visions of snake handling and the like, but if you believe in Jesus there is nothing to fear because there is already a measure of the Holy Spirit within you. What you must realize is that this small measure contains great power, and will grow even more as your faith increases. The power that God entrusts to you will likewise grow with it.
“ “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.””
John 14:12-14 ESV
Faith, and particularly faith in the Father, Son, and The Holy Ghost, will bring great power. Our prayers, which magnify our faith, bring us into their presence and majesty. So pray with faith, pray in the Spirit, and pray expecting our Heavenly Father's power to flow into and from us as we do. Are you confident in this?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the seed of faith you have given me. Thank you for your Son Jesus, and your Holy Spirit as they teach and help me in my prayers. Jesus, who prays eternally for me in intercession before you Father, and your Holy Spirit who prays for me when I am at a loss for words, and gives me both remembrance, and an understanding of you. Thank you most of all for your beloved Son Jesus Christ who was born, suffered, died, and was resurrected to redeem me from my sin, and who defeated the power of death over me, for He inspires and increases my faith and your glorious and unending power that I have received a portion of from you. Mighty and unyielding are you my God, and great are you in all things. All glory is yours Lord, and I will shout these things unto the ends of the world that all might come to know you through your Son Jesus and profess your glory forevermore. Strengthen me now in this my prayer of faith and power as I pray it in the name of Jesus, and as the Holy Spirit helps me. You are the embodiment of my praise, the essence of my strength, the thrill in my bold proclamation as I shout Hallelujah, and the never ending blessing in my every Amen. I love and pray to you now, and for all eternity, for you are indeed my good, gracious, and glorious God… my Abba, and Father.
“ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:26-28 ESV
“but he [Jesus] holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 7:24-25 ESV
Rich Forbes