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| The Miracle of Empowerment
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Last Sunday we had a very interesting message from our Associate Pastor at our morning service. For the last month the messages have been focused on the theme of “miracles” in the Bible. Miracles in the Old Testament, the miracles Jesus did in his earthly ministry as shared in the Gospels and the miracles done by his disciples in Acts. This last message in the series was the miracle of “Empowerment”. When I read the title the first thing that came to mind is Tony Robins, Dale Carnegie or some other motivational method pushing the name it – claim it, blab it – grab it..focus on self-fulfillment and self-interest. I never really thought about the word “empowerment” as God speaks to us from His Word. Even though I have been a Christian now for over 30 years…and in the ministry since 1986,..I still get frustrated sometimes when you work hard and yet see little fruit. And sometimes we get so involved in our various projects and tasks that we fail to see the simplicity of the answer to this lack of success in ministry. (John 15:5) Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” It is Christ that “empowers” us to do His work. A beautiful example of this is in Acts 4:1-31. Peter and John had been used by God to do a great miracle in Jerusalem. A man, lame from birth, was healed at the temple gate called “beautiful”. The man was know by all and had sat at the gate for many years begging for alms. The people were filled with wonder and amazement as this man was seen by all…walking, leaping and praising God. News of this miracle quickly went across Jerusalem and Peter and John were surrounded the people. The temple priests and Sadducees were not to happy about this. They saw this as a threat to their power and authority. They had the temple guard take Peter and John into custody and held them in a prison cell over night. The next day they were taken before the High Priest and members of the Sanhedrin. ( Acts 4:19- 21) Peter and John were instructed not to speak or preach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all [men] glorified God for that which was done. Being let go they returned to their friends, and prayed that God would give them a boldness to speak Gods Word. (Acts 4: 31) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. The point is…they had to ask. (John 15:16) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Until we ask and are empowered by God our success in ministry will be always limited to our individual intellect, education and natural giftings. That does not mean that we will not be successful to a certain degree in some areas. But in Christ we are operating in a whole new area of power and boldness. It opens the doors of Gods power used through us to reach a world in darkness. Not only for the individual believer but those who hear the Word and are recipients of Gods grace and love. So…Ask. (Matthew 7:7) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Ask (Matthew 7:11) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Ask (Matthew 21:22) And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Ask (John 15:7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
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Posted by journeyman on 2008-07-29 23:33:57 | Rating: | Views: 39
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This post is so in line with what has been on my heart, especially, during the last week; 'abiding in Him' and the power that, then comes, to overcome the 'storms' of life, to be truly happy, and be a witness for Jesus. Thank you and God bless!
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Posted by Alice
on 2008-08-07 14:02:34
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Nothing gives more plesure than pursuing my personal relationship with the Lord and striving to stand in His presence in every breath. Nothing can compare! This post is my heart and soul on paper. Thank you. In His grip, Kim
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Posted by Jesusmyvision
on 2008-08-07 21:42:28
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