LIVING IN THE POWER
When Jesus prayed the Lord's prayer He closed with these words, "for thine is the kingdom, thine is the power and thine is the glory, forever, Amen". The Kingdom of God comes with power! "With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection..." "You shall receive power..." "All power is given unto me in heaven and earth..." Power is mentioned over and over again. We all desire His power in our lives and ministries. Power to overcome sin, sickness and Satan.
Where do we find this power? How do we embrace it and release it to others? In my life there are three areas of His power. I try to practice these daily.
Where do we find this power? How do we embrace it and release it to others? In my life there are three areas of His power. I try to practice these daily.
First is the POWER OF HIS PRESENCE. Living in His presence and letting His presence live in me is vital for a life of victory. God, of course, is everywhere present. I am not talking about His omniscience, but His manifest presence. A place where you know He comes and speaks and dwells and lives. A place where His grace is evident in our life style and our conversation. For me to live in His presence I need to keep a spirit of forgiveness toward others. I need to dwell in God's loving forgiveness for myself and keep a daily closed account of my sins placed under His blood. Not only do I need daily cleansing, but I make a place for His presence by acknowledging Him. A mental assent that He is always there and with me. I whisper His name continually as though He is right beside me. He called me His friend. I keep that friendship growing by spending time with Him all through the day. What kind of friend would it be that was never recognized as being present. In the morning I acknowledge His presence and receive it for the day.
Second is the POWER OF PURPOSE. Why am I here on earth? What is my life mission? Do I walk daily in that vision? We often want others to do exactly what we are doing. But each of us has a different calling expressed in different ways. Martha was upset that Mary was not helping her in the kitchen and serving others. Jesus gently rebuked her and said to Martha, Luke 10:41-42 "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." It is important that each of us find our exact place in God's kingdom. When we know who we are, who He is in us, and what we are to do, we can move with purpose in life. Then we glorify Him.
Third is the POWER OF PRAISE. For me, it is absolutely necessary I exercised a life of constant praise. "Let his praise be continually on my lips". Praise and worship brings a divine perspective on all my circumstances. It allows me to enter into His presence with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. When I am dwelling in the secret place of the Most High God I can actually look down at this earth's problems and trials and began to see them the way the Father sees them. No earthly circumstances can stop my lips from praising Him. Paul and Silas learned this secret while in prison. Praise breaks us free from the bondages others try place us in. It brings earthquakes of His power around us and the chains fall off. I celebrate His goodness in the middle of evident stress and problems. I declare His lovingkindness and compassion in the middle of the attacks of the enemy. When praise abounds in my heart and spirit, like Jehosaphat's army of worshippers, I can stand and see the battle is not mine but the Lord's. He and His heavenly host of angels come and deliver me from all my troubles. I can't change many circumstances in my life, but I can choose how I want to respond. Eph 1:18-19
"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power..."
"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power..."
