Power of God part 2

I wrote on the Power of God last October and I am continually struck and convicted about how much this power was a part of the early church and how much it is not a part of our present day church in the US. 

We have been hosting a weekly bible study the past few months. It has truly blessed us to be a part of it and to have the opportunity to open up our home to hungry believers. Many times we were exhausted by the time Friday night came around-when the bible study occurred-but through it we were strengthened and encouraged. The last 3 meetings we focused on the power of God. We first looked at the 3 ways the gospel spread in the New Testament- I Thes. 1:5, Romans 15:18-19.

1. Through the Word of God and our words

2. Through our character and example to those around us (the fruit of the Spirit in our lives)

3. The power and demonstration of the Spirit-signs and wonders

Most of us can understand and see how the gospel goes forth through the first two, but we have not seen or experienced much of the third. Why is this? Are we afraid of the power, do we deny it and not believe in God's power? 

The power of the Spirit in our lives is for all of us. We just have to ask! Luke 11:13 tells us exactly that-to simply ask and our Father will give us His Spirit. One of the most challenging Scriptures is John 14:12-14. Jesus tells us that we will do what He did on earth and even greater things! Have you read what Jesus did while earth? Can you imagine doing more and greater things than He did? That is exactly what He commissioned His disciples to do-make disciples of all nations, cast out evil spirits,  heal the sick and portray His power through signs and wonders. In order for these to happen we have to have faith and ask. 

I know that these signs, wonders and gifts of the Spirit are somewhat controversial in the church but we have to face what the Bible says about them. God's power is as real and alive today as it was 2,000 years ago. Nothing has changed-His Spirit has remained the same. I encourage you to read through I Corinthians 12-14 to see what Paul has to say about the gifts of the Spirit. Examine your own heart and how you have treated these things (ignorance, fear, rejection). If led, ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you and to ask for specific gifts to be given to you in faith. Jesus displayed each of these gifts perfectly and now as His body we each are given gifts to be Jesus to the world around us. 

Once the gifts are given it is our responsibility to step and use them and use them for His glory. Acts 2:4 says, " Andy they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." So we see 3 steps:

1. Filled with the Holy Spirit

2. Spirit gave them utterance (ability)

3. They stepped out and began to speak 

As we receive the Spirit and His gifts, He will prompt us to use them and we need to be bold and step out and use them. If He calls us to pray for someone to be healed, we need to step out and do that even if its uncomfortable. This is where I have fallen short. I have been given gifts, have been given knowledge, but in some cases I have not stepped out in obedience to use the gifts I have been given. Let us seek the Lord and His Word in this important area of Christianity so that the gospel may go forth in word, deed and in the power of His Spirit.