… according to his power that is at work within us,
Summary: When it comes to acts of God, everything depends on how much of God’s power is at work. How we can get that power and what it can do are fascinating topics of conversation.
“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer … “ (Acts 3:1). So begins one of the many stories about the new Apostles and their mission to make people aware that Jesus was not only alive but is also the means to salvation. The power at work in the Apostles grabbed the attention of the people around them and amazed them. In this story (Acts 3:1-10), Peter and John heal a well-known beggar who had been lame from birth. Peter says, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” So the man gets up and not only walks, but he jumps for joy and praises God.
Several years later, in what is now central Turkey, Paul arrived in Lystra near the end of his first missionary journey. This story begins with another man who had been lame from birth and had never walked. Luke writes that “Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed …” (Acts 14:9). Paul tells the man to “stand up,” and the man jumps up like the man that Peter healed.
These two stories are interesting because they tell us about God’s power to heal and how it works. In the first story, there is no mention of the lame man’s faith. It is similar to the story of Jesus healing the man by the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15). Jesus has the power to heal, even though the man who was healed had no faith at all. In fact, Jesus has to talk the man into wanting to be healed. In Peter’s story, he doesn’t ask the man if he has faith either. He simply heals him.
Luke’s story about Paul is different. Paul sees that the lame man had “faith to be healed.” How did he know this? I don’t know. I presume that the Holy Spirit told him. The healing is not only because of Paul’s faith but because the man being healed had faith, too.
In all three cases, the power of God is at work. In some cases, the power is in the healer. In others, the power is in the one being healed. In all cases, it is the power of God doing the healing.
Paul’s statement in verse twenty says two things. First, God can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” Period. Second, what God can do depends on “his power that is at work in us.”
As we talked about in “Making Room,” we need to choose to let God into our hearts while at the same time choosing to let go of the carnal things that fill up our minds. Both Paul and Peter were “all in” when it came to believing in Jesus. They did not tolerate lame excuses in themselves or others. That is our goal, too, if we want to see the power of God at work.
Application: Be hungry for the power of God in your life.
Food for Thought: If we had a power meter that showed us how much of God’s power was at work in us, what would it show? And if we wanted more of God’s power in our lives, what could we do?
If we had a power meter that showed us how much of God’s power was at work in us, what would it show? And if we wanted more of God’s power in our lives, what could we do?
My power meter would always show not enough, needs more, and maybe an error code. We all sin and fall short sometimes it feels like we are grieving the Holy Spirit and need a heart check and put Jesus back in charge of our lives imitate Christ to glorify God to feel His powerful delight in us as we form to the likeness of His Son. always whenever you desire something or are thinking about anything bring it to our perfect Father in Heaven through prayer .
Good words, Tim!
I hadn’t thought about error codes but that is a great point. Maybe I’ll use that in another post! 🙂
And yes, coming before the Lord in prayer is an important means of coming closer to our Lord.
06-08-2023:
A.) If we had a power meter that showed us how much of God’s power was at work in us, what would it show?
Jesus tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”Matthew 6:21
Everyone has their own power meter and God has provided His Holy Spirit, the ability to read it, to each. He has made my heart sensitive to when I am living in God’s power, or am shutting Him off so I can do my own thing. He has shown me I am an imperfect being seeking to serve our perfect God.
B.) And if we wanted more of God’s power in our lives, what could we do?
Ask and we shall receive, Luke 11:9-13, God is the source of all good. We simply need to ask and receive all He gives.
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope. Romans 15:13
Wow, Ron. Well done! 🙂
The Holy Spirit does give us feedback on how we are doing, especially if we wander off and turn our back on God’s power.
Good comments, as per usual.
I think that for followers of Christ, who are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, it isn’t so much a question of accessing power as utilizing what has been given to us. We have the Holy Spirit. He will fill us with the power we need to accomplish His purposes when we need it. I think it is important to be faithful in what we have been tasked. Are we using the spiritual gifts given to us? Are we serving Christ and others? Are we praying for God’s power and relying on Him instead of ourselves? As we do, I think we will find the Holy Spirit providing sufficiently for every occasion. Matthew 25: 14 – 30.
Rich,
Your comment prompts a lot of interesting thoughts for me.
Is it possible to be filled with the Holy Spirit and keep it all to ourselves? Is it necessary to be faithful in our tasks, as you mention, for the Spirit to fill us? Does who we rely on impact God’s presence in our lives? How does our awareness of the Spirit impact our ability to follow the Spirit’s lead?
Lots to think about here. 🙂
I had the (most blessed) opportunity to attend an intercessory prayer meeting this morning. It was my first time and it was powerful! Something that ties to what is in today’s devotion is that concept of the “power meter.” I felt how the prayers started out humbly, but built in fervor as the Spirit filled the room. Then as the Spirit filled the room the prayers became even more fervent. Like an engine that increases in power, torque, and sustainability when its reaches “operating temperature.”
If we had a power meter that showed us how much of God’s power was at work in us, what would it show?
I know this today; when I woke up this morning I was barely “idling.” As I write these words right now I am “running hot!”
I feel now that I may spend too much of my time running at idling temperature.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
Jesus is there, not as an observer, not just to receive, but to share.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
And if we wanted more of God’s power in our lives, what could we do?
Pray. Pray. Pray
Read God’s Word.
John 14:13-14 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Be ready. Fill your jar.
In Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus gives us the parable of the 10 virgins. All 10 had lamps, and all 10 were called to meet the bridegroom. Only five brought oil “in a jar.” They all fell asleep waiting on the bridegroom. When they all heard the bridegroom was coming, the 5 with oil were ready to go into the marriage banquet, the other 5 had to go seek for oil. They tried to “buy” oil. When the five returned the bridegroom and the 5 that were ready were already in the banquet, and the 5 that had “bought” oil could not enter the banquet because the “door was shut” and bridegroom did not know them. I believe that the oil that they “bought” was not worthy.
I know that Matthew 24 and 25 speak to preparation for eternity. I have been taught this and believe it. It speaks to those who put aside the Word of God, to hear it and accept it; not act on it. But I now also believe that it speaks to something about prayer being preparedness.
Preparing for the marriage. That connection to God the Father, here, now.
Our lamps are our spirit (our true life), our jars are our hearts and minds. We can receive into our hearts and minds the oil, so that when we are called upon by the Spirit we are ready to marry up with God’s Will. When we do not have the oil, and then we go seek to “buy” oil (aka leaning into our own understanding), the bridegroom doesn’t know us.
To have power, you must have fuel. For a lamp to burn, it must have oil. We pray, not just to seek God’s Will, but to have God’s Will in us. Jesus is God, and Jesus is God’s Will. when we pray we are asking for God’s Will to be in our hearts. We are asking for Him to fill our jars with Him. Then when the bridegroom comes, whether that be in His second coming, when you leave this Earth, or when He calls upon you to do His Will, He is in you and you are ready for the marriage banquet. The door will not be shut.
Chris,
It sounds like it was a great prayer meeting this morning!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I like the direction you took this.
Keeping the tank full of God’s Spirit is a great way to live! 🙂
Thanks Jeff, good to see you at coffee today and I read today’s reflection with my wife. We both decided we needed to ask God again for His power and we humbled ourselves in prayer together to request that. Thank you for sharing!
Adam,
Great to see you, too! Thanks for checking in today. It is an honor to have you stop by. 🙂
Amen!! “marry up to God’s will” is right! This is so encouraging to hear and I’m SO thankful you’re sharing. More, Lord, More!!!