A New Revelation

I've been pondering. (This can sometimes be a dangerous thing.) I've been itching to write all week, but this has been my first opportunity to get it all down! I read a phrase on Beth Moore's Good Friday blog http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2008/03/for-lives-like-ours.html that I can’t seem to get out of my mind. She wrote “Every single ounce of power expended on the Cross is yours in Jesus’ Name.…” Just let that settle in for a moment. This thought has been swirling around my head like crazy. It’s as if I’ve never fully grasped the kind of power that is available to me through Christ. I’ve known since becoming a Christian (way back when) that I have the power of Christ living in me through the Holy Spirit, but that much power?! The more I considered this new revelation, it struck me that when I think about many of my favorite scriptures, they also speak of God’s power…

Romans: 1:16 – I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

2 Corinthians 12:9: Each time he said, “my grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Colossians 1:10-12: We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

2 Timothy 1:7: For God has not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.

Ironically, or maybe not…; )…the chapter I’m now working on in my Bible study (He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer) is giving substantial attention to the incomparable, overcoming and superhuman nature of God’s power. (As if God’s trying to drive home a point with me!) So knowing all such things, how can there be any room in my heart for doubt? Why have I often settled for mediocre dreams? Why do I allow my own fears to overshadow the mighty power of God in my life? Why am I so easily discouraged at times? How is it that I can actually doubt God’s ability to change certain situations? Why have I never fully grasped just how much power is available to me through Christ? Beth Moore's blog entry went on to suggest we possibly live in defeat because we’ve never allowed ourselves to feel the full and free forgiveness of the Cross. Is that you? Is that me? While I’ve always thought of myself as a blessed, humbled and contented believer, a part of me had to answer yes to this question. So often in my walk I’ve allowed fears and feelings of unworthiness to hinder me in what I can do for Christ. I want to surrender that to him TODAY. Lord, I so desire to embrace the full and free forgiveness of Your cross. I want, like never before, to claim every ounce of that power in my life. To believe like never before in its sufficiency, and in your willingness to provide it to those who ask...may it be so, Lord Jesus.

Ephesians 3:16-21: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 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 in and Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.