Is the Power of God Working in You?

We serve an almighty God whose majesty, power, and eternal nature are beyond our mortal ability to comprehend.  The Psalmist tells us that "The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity." (Psalm 93:1-2). All things come from God, the Creator, including any power that He sees fit to delegate to His people (Romans 11:36, 2 Peter 1:3).

Jesus' disciples were aware that any powers that they possessed came from God. During His ministry on earth, Jesus Himself, in the presence of His disciples, gave them the power to drive out demons and heal the sick in His name (Matthew 10:1, Mark 16:17-18). Peter was fully aware of his source of power, when he later healed the crippled man who begged at the temple gate. He said to the man: "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" (Acts 3:6). After Christ's ascension, the disciples received the additional gift of the supporting power of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus had promised them: "And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49). Do you feel led by the power of the Holy Spirit working in your life?

God also delegates His power by granting each of us varying talents with the intention of equipping us to work together as a team to build up Christ's church (Romans 12:5-8, Ephesians 4:11-12). The Apostle Paul speaks of talents such as the ability to prophesy, preach, teach, pastor, give, and serve. We may not all be able to prophesy like Isaiah or preach like Paul, but our talents can include the ability to sing, play a musical instrument, work with our hands, communicate with the spoken/written word, listen, teach, mentor, prepare meals, treat the ill, minister to the sick and needy, serve in lay or administrative positions in the church, and so on. The important thing is to remember that our talents, big or small, are powerful gifts from God, and that, accordingly, we should dedicate them to Him and exercise them in His name in our daily lives, in and out of church (Colossians 3:17). We will feel energized and receive the blessings of joy and peace in return (i.e., feel good!). A woman who played the piano during worship services in a small country church once said to the congregation: "I thank God for what little talent I have." Her wise and humble words speak volumes and reflect an outlook on life that we should all have. Is your outlook like hers?

In addition, God delegates His power to us through His Word. The inspired words of the Bible can give us the wisdom of knowing God's will and the power to live our lives as disciples of Jesus and be saved (2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Peter 1:19). To help us listen to God's Word, we should designate a time (preferably daily!) of quietness, when we can clear our minds and focus on scripture. We should read slowly, stopping from time to time to let the words sink in. We should then meditate on what we have just read to give God the opportunity to enlighten and empower us through His Word: "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you." (James 1:21). But our challenge is to not only accept the Word, but also to live it (James 1:22, 2:17). Our righteous living and good works are signs visible to others that God's power is working in us (Ephesians 2:10).

God does not have to delegate any of His power to us, but He chooses to do so because of His great love for us and His desire to involve us in His work on earth. The Disciple Group encourages you to include a request in your daily prayers for the Holy Spirit to be with you, so that you might receive the power of the Spirit's comfort, help, strength, and guidance in all you do. You are also encouraged to use whatever talents God has given you to serve in His Name and thus help further His kingdom on earth. And you are encouraged to seek the power of God's Word by setting aside time regularly to study the Holy Bible in a disciplined manner. Above all, remember to always give God the glory: "Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21).