Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 12 HIS Power NOT Mine???
“O the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom
and knowledge
of God!
how unsearchable
are his judgments,
and his ways
past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord?
or who hath been his counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to him,
and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him,
and through him,
and to him,
are all things:
to whom be glory for ever.
Amen.” Romans 11:33-36
I saw something the other day, and the gest was that because I have faith “I” have power to do _____, whatever you want to put in the blank. What I want to say is that it is never my rights, my power, my strength, or my wisdom that I am to walk in! It is all about God! It’s HIS power, HIS grace and HIS strength that motivates, empowers, and sustains me for HIS work. For when I yield to Jesus’ work in me, HE will accomplish all that He is calling, leading, equipping, and directing me to be and do!
“I can do all things
through Christ
which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
When we are born again by The Spirit of God, we are enabled to walk in that very Spirit, accomplishing the works of God and not the flesh. Yet, when we presume to take things upon ourselves, we will find that we are caught up in self-will, self-indulgence, and often disregard of God’s will and His Word! Jesus tells us how to keep our focus right through prayer when HE instructed us to pray, “Thy kingdom come…..Thy will be done”, God’s will not mine—a totally opposite agenda than what many purport today! We are called to “let this mind be in you” (See Philippians 2:5-11) and to let His Word “dwell in you richly”. His Word, His way, His will—His power NOT mine!
“Put on therefore,
as the elect of God,
holy and beloved,
bowels of mercies,
kindness,
humbleness of mind,
meekness,
longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another,
and forgiving one another,
if any man have a quarrel against any:
even as Christ forgave you,
so also do ye.
14 And above all these things
put on charity,
which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God
rule in your hearts,
to the which also ye are called
in one body;
and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly
in all wisdom;
teaching
and admonishing one another
in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts
to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do
in word
or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks
to God
and the Father
by him.” Colossians 3:12-17
It is with and in the power of God that we are to function, not our own resources!
“I am the vine,
ye are the branches:
He that abideth in me,
and I in him,
the same bringeth forth
much fruit:
for without me
ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
Paul gives the ultimate description of where our resources come from when we put on the armor of God.
“Finally, my brethren,
be strong in the Lord,
and in the power
of his might.” Ephesians 6:10
Paul reminded us that by the power of God we are to put on that “armor of God”—not by our own intelligence, wisdom or even our “faith”! My faith is only as strong as the object in which it is placed—Jesus! We can choose to be a channel of God’s work or produce our own—and the fruit will reveal our choice. And that “shield of faith” is what will “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked”—not because of my faith in me, or even my faith in faith, but because of my faith in The One who saves and delivers me, allowing His power to be displayed through my life!
“For other foundation can no man lay
than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation
gold,
silver,
precious stones,
wood,
hay,
stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:
for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire;
and the fire shall try every man’s work
of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abide
which he hath built thereupon,
he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned,
he shall suffer loss:
but he himself shall be saved;
yet so as by fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-14
It’s all about Jesus—not me! HE is my all in all, my “strong tower”! And believe me, I run into that tower often!
“For in him
we live,
and move,
and have our being…”. Acts 17:28a
All because of Jesus and the price that HE paid for my sin and yours—it’s why HE came! He came not to be just an example—though HE was one. Not just to show us the way to God—although HE did—but because HE IS the way, by His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin–mine and yours!
“And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people
from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
When I order my steps in God’s ways, by His power and for His glory, great and mighty things will be accomplished for the kingdom of God—not because I have great faith, or great wisdom, but because I love, follow and adore The One who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings—the ONLY way to God.
“Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way,
the truth,
and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me.” John 14:6
It is only by God’s grace that we can be of service to our King! WE win because God has provided all we need in Jesus, our soon-coming King!
“But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be ye stedfast,
unmoveable,
always abounding
in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour
is not in vain
in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
The work of The Lord—oh what a glory—to serve The One who gave HIS life for me; knowing that HE loves us/me and can be seen and glorified in us/me as we yield to HIS will! May we never become so distracted by the outward blessings and elements of God’s grace and power that we forget it’s all about HIM not me!
“In whom we have redemption
through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded
toward us in all wisdom
and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us
the mystery of his will,
according to his good pleasure
which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation
of the fulness of times
he might gather together
in one
all things
in Christ,
both which are in heaven,
and which are on earth;
even in him:
11 In whom also
we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated
according to the purpose
of him who worketh all things
after the counsel
of his own will:
12 That we should be
to the praise of his glory,
who first trusted in Christ.” Ephesians 1:7-12
And as the author of Hebrews reminds us, may we find power, comfort and delight in this loving Lord Jesus, without being distracted or forgetting Who is our power and might!
“Now the God of peace,
that brought again from the dead
our Lord Jesus,
that great shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood
of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect
in every good work
to do his will,
working in you
that which is wellpleasing
in his sight,
through Jesus Christ;
to whom be glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
HIS Power NOT Mine!!!
Amen and Amen!
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