Divine Power within us to ask
This week, I’ve had some wonderful connect time with God. He was reminding me of Ephesians 3:20. We have such a limited understanding of what this scripture means, because we so often only quote the first part of it: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…”
And that’s where we stop. Sure, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think. That’s God at work, but there is a part B to this scripture, one we often forget to include when we quote this. Here’s the full verse:
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
God can do amazing things–exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think–but, he can only work “according to the power that works in us.” That word “according to” is more of a limiting context. God can only work according to what power is at work in us. We are the conduit, the valve of God’s power at work in the earth. Is your valve wide open for God’s power to flow through you? Or, are you just dripping?
God deposited his power in us through Christ. Early in Ephesians 1:19-20, Paul clarifies that this same power raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and lives inside of us today. God can really do amazing things, but it’s “according to the power that is in us” already.
This week, God began to speak and show me how to tap into this power through passion, through our spiritual heart. Here’s what he said to me:
Son, I am able to do so much in you, and it happens through you. You are a conduit of my power, according to your faith. Believe that it is there, right now, inside you. Creative power, divine power to doing all that you need to do, son. It’s there. And, because it’s there, I can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all you could ask or think based upon that power inside you. So, ask, think, believe, son.
What do I ask for, Father? I’m not sure what to ask.
Son, you ask what’s on your heart, what you are passionate about, what you need? Son, you have a new heart. I can trust your heart. Even when your flesh is loud, screaming and very strong, I know that your heart–the real part of you–is not set on sin. It is set on righteousness, and my Holy Spirit is a seal to show that.
So ask, son. Believe. Then, watch me work in you and through you.
Encouraging words. Do you find it hard to believe that God loves your new heart, your new spiritual heart that Jesus died to give you? It’s quite unfathomable, but it’s true. Scripture is peppered with God’s love and grace towards.
Disconnected from God – “Where are you?”
It’s been days, maybe even weeks, since I’ve really heard God, since I’ve pressed in, dug deep, and listened to the Divine Whisper of Heaven. It’s not that I don’t want to. I do. I really do. But junk just gets in the way. Life happens.
I’m convinced that everyday, we should walk with God, in his presence, communing constantly with him. It was the kind of relationship that Adam and Even had before sin entered the world. It was heaven on earth. Daily. Constantly.
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8, 9)
What a question! Where are you? If there’s one thing I’m hearing God say right now, it’s “Where are you?“
It’s not a harsh, condemning “WHERE ARE YOU!” It’s a gentle, wooing whisper, “Where are you?“ Caring. Grace-filled. Loving. Fatherly. It’s tender. Very, very tender.
Yet, even then, I hide myself like Adam and Eve. I cover myself with busyness, distraction, entertainment, mind-numbing activity. Instead of pressing in, I press on.
Why? It doesn’t make sense. I think it’s because when God whispers his tender, “Where are you?“, the enemy screams harshly, “WHERE ARE YOU!” The Divine Whisper is blocked out, masked, covered by the schemes of the enemy. Yet, Jesus paid our price for sin. We can “come boldly to the throne of grace in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
The invitation is there, but it’s not a free invitation. A heavy price was paid for admission–the death of Jesus. By his righteousness, we can come before God’s throne in our time of need. The door to heaven is open, and through Christ, we can go right into the throne room. We are “clothed in Christ”, and accepted by God because of who we are (children of God), not because of what we’ve done (sin).
Come on. Let’s go inside.
Hearing the truth about what God says
I came across this post the other day, and it’s a great reminder for us to really consider the truth of God, and what he has to say to us. Most of the time, we get it wrong. We struggle against the lies that are so embedded in our soul, but we have to let Truth prevail, because the Truth will set you free (John 8:32).
You say
God says
You say: It’s impossible
God says: All things are possible ( Luke 18:27)
You say: I’m too tired
God says: I will give you rest ( Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: Nobody really loves me
God says: I love you ( John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )
You say: I can’t go on
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: I can’t figure things out
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5- 6)
You say: I can’t do it
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: I’m not able
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: It’s not worth it
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )
You say: I can’t forgive myself
God says: I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: I can’t manage
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: I’m afraid
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear ( II Timothy 1:7)
You say: I’m always worried and frustrated
God says: Cast all your cares on me (I Peter 5:7)
You say: I’m not smart enough
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: I feel all alone
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
Information or Revelation
I was hit with a pretty intense revelation the other day. It’s basically this: when God speaks, he’s not just communicating information. When God speaks, he’s often activating a new reality. He’s realizing (making real) something new when he speaks it.
For most of my journaling experience, I would journal with this notion that when God speaks, he’s only communicating information. I’ve realized now that it’s more than just information. When God speaks, he creates. He activates. He “calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (Romans 4:17). He brings into reality something new, something alive, something with purpose when he speaks.
For example, in Genesis, God said, “Let there be life” and life was created. God said, “It is good.” And it was good. It was blessed as good.
When God needed a Savior, he sent his Word (John 1). God’s Word became flesh. When God spoke, his tangible, experiential existence came into being. We could see, taste, hear, touch, smell the Word of God. He became real.
Immediately, I must repent. I must change the way I’ve been thinking. I take time to journal and listen to God, which is not a problem. That’s a good thing. The problem is that when God speaks, I only receive his words as information, not a declaration. I need to receive what God says to me as a new reality, a newly created existence or situation. When God speaks, reality is created.
Something that was not will become when God speaks.
Divine Whispers of Love
I had a rough week. Problems were pounding me on every side. Nothing big. Nothing major. Just those little problems that nag and harass and cause you to lie awake at 4 in the morning trying to figure it all out — car repairs, upset clients, business decisions, financial demands — all pestering my typically quiet mind.
As I was driving down the road, my mind spinning with issues, I heard that Divine Whisper of Love speak into my soul, “Russ, what are you worried about? I’m here. I’ll take care of you.”
I just lost it. Right there in the car, I started weeping because deep in my soul, I knew he was there all along, but for him to remind me in such a clear manner was so overwhelming. My immediate response was simply this, Yes, Father, I can trust you. I’m sorry.
The stress, the burden, the racing thoughts all stopped. And I knew that he was there. He had my back. I could trust him.
Immediately, I thought of Matthew 6:25-27,
Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
Are you struggling through something right now? Is stress continue to pound against your mind and thoughts? If so, I encourage to tune into those Divine Whispers of Love, and let God encourage you.
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- Chasing your Passion
- Stop praying for revival, and BE the revival
- Divine Power within us to ask
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- Freedom thru Forgiveness 6
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