DECEMBER

"Accessing God’s Power"

The power of God being operative in a person’s life is greatly dependant upon what they believe. God does not randomly or haphazardly use His Power or release it to change people’s lives. God established a system for His Power to flow through, and He made it available to everyone. His Power is ready to be accessed by people regardless of race, gender, age, culture, country, or language. He’s no respecter of persons. To be a respecter of persons, according to James 2: 9, is sin; and God cannot sin.

God has made it so that everyone can benefit from His Power, excluding no one; and He made it so easy that a child can tap into it. How can a person experience what I’m talking about? The answer to this question can be found in Romans 1:16 which says,

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Let’s closely examine this verse of scripture, and not just read past the depth of the revelation within it. First of all, let us identify where the power of God is. Paul says that it’s in the gospel of Christ. The word 'Christ' is translated 'the anointed One and His anointing'. This anointing destroys yokes and removes burdens, making people free and restoring what has been broken down in the calamities of life and the oppression of the devil. The word 'gospel' is defined as 'to bring or announce good news'.

Paul is saying, "I have some good news for you about the power of God"; and according to this verse, who is it for? The good news is that it is for anyone and everyone who believes. The power of God is tapped into by the established system of - you believe, and there’s a reward for your believing.

In this verse, the word 'salvation' is used to describe the result of believing the gospel of Christ. This word specifically describes the born-again experience. But, that’s not all it includes. The definition of salvation also means: rescue or safety (physical or moral), deliver, health, welfare, defend, avenge, preserve, victory, help. What a person specifically believes about God determines the flow of His Power in their life. If a person believes in financial prosperity, then His Power flows into their life to change their financial status. If it’s healing, deliverance, favor, a better job, etc... God's Power will work for you. We can see an example of this in Jesus' ministry when He goes to minister in His own home town. Mark 6:5 reads,

"He could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. Mark 6:6 He marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching."

Jesus, at the direction of the Holy Spirit, had other plans for this community than just healing a few sick people. He wanted to do mighty works; but they did not believe; therefore, they stopped the power of God from flowing into their lives. God wants His Power to radically change lives, and the number one key is to believe the gospel of Christ. This is the good news about the power of God working on behalf of people; that He may be able to manifest the riches of His goodness in our lives, and bring glory to Himself. Go ahead and believe God!!!

Believing For More,

Pastor James Miller

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December 1, 2008

In Mark 16:17-18, 20 we read;

“And these signs shall follow those who believe: In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing; it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick , and they shall recover... 20. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

In John 4:46-54, we read about a certain nobleman whose son was sick and at the point of death. He had heard of Jesus and came and besought Him that He would come and heal his son. Jesus said, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” Now, what was Jesus telling this man? I believe this man was seeking a sign and a wonder, and Jesus was trying to get his focus off of the sign and wonder, and focus on the One Who performs signs and wonders.

In Matthew 6:33 we read;

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

In our society, we make the mistake of placing our focus on our needs or on things; when we should focus on God the Father who is more than enough to meet our needs and add all things unto our lives. Let me give you an example: If you put a carriage in front of a horse, it wouldn’t be able to take you where you want to go. Now, if you put the horse in front of the carriage, it will take you wherever you want to go. I believe that is how God wants to work in our lives. Put Him and His Word in front of our lives, believe Him and His Word; and we will begin to see signs and wonders.

Going back to the nobleman, Jesus said, “Go thy way, thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.” So many times we want to see or feel in order to believe. This is the same situation this man was in; but once he believed first and went his way, the sign and wonder followed him, and his son was healed.

As I close today, be encouraged and know that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. All we have to do is believe and receive His Word. Begin to give God’s Word first place in your life and believe His Word with all your heart, and the signs and the wonders will follow you. Remember, believing and receiving come first, then the sign and wonder.

Pastor Jimmy Brackeen