Price for the Power - Part 1

Hello everyone,

Have you longed for the continuous flow of God’s miracle working power in your life? The Bible teaches this should be something we experience on a regular basis.  In fact our lives should be marked and distinguished from the rest of the word by this very thing! 

Jesus said when we’re baptised in the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to do the same works He did while He was here on earth.

In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus said, “And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

He clearly stated these things would accompany those who believe!  So if we believe - we should be walking in His power and these signs and wonders should be flowing in and through our lives.

Just recently I received a copy of AA Allan’s book entitled The Price of God’s Miracle Working Power.  He wrote about his desperation to see the miraculous evident in his ministry, and how during an encounter with God, he received the answers he was looking for.  Every chapter touched on truths I wanted to share with you.  I’ll be sharing some direct quotes from his book.

There is a price to pay for walking in the miracle working power of God - a price well worth seeing God glorified as people are healed, set free from the oppression of the devil, and able to live the abundant life Jesus paid for them to enjoy!

In this letter I want to briefly touch on the price of persecution. As much as you would think all people would welcome the sick being healed, and those oppressed by the devil being set free, and the broken hearted being restored, history has proven otherwise.  Being used by God is not a popularity contest. There is great opposition to the manifest power of God demonstrated in the earth.  

So if we are serious about being used by God, we need to toughen up and know who we are in Christ. We need to have our full confidence in Jesus, the written Word, and the resurrection power of God that courses in and through us.  This way we will become courageous and fearless in our mission.

Matthew 10:24 says, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a servant or slave above his master.”  These words Jesus spoke to His disciples who were sent out to do the very things He was doing.  The same things every believer is called to do: “heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8).  

Then directly on the heels of this promise came warnings of persecution."Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake...Brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death."

Jesus was constantly persecuted for operating in God’s power, the religious rulers were outraged at seeing the miraculous being performed by the Son of God.  Paul was imprisoned, and severely punished for setting a young girl free from evil spirits.  Her owners were furious when they could no longer profit from her misery. 

Jesus was not persecuted while He remained in the carpenter shop at Nazareth, but the moment He started to do mighty things, He was called "Prince of devils," and attempts began to be made to destroy his life.

Persecutions continued for three and one-half years, until at last He was crucified, for no other reason than because He had power which the powerless religious leaders of his day feared.  Peter was a "good fellow" so long as he was a mere fisherman, but when he healed the lame man, they threw him in jail.  So long as Stephen was just a "member" in the First Church at Jerusalem he got along nicely, but the moment he "did great wonders and miracles among the people" he was called into judgment and stoned. Paul never had to flee at night for his life, because of his religion, until after he had met God in a supernatural way. (Direct quote). 

Demonstrating the life changing power of God is a direct onslaught - a fierce, destructive attack against the kingdom of darkness.  It’s exactly in line with the purpose Jesus came to this earth.  1 John 3:8 says, “...The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].”  And now, through the finished work of the cross, we exist to enforce his defeat!  

So of course it would be wrong to imagine we wouldn’t face opposition and persecution when we exercise our faith and operate in God’s supernatural power. How can we expect something different? Persecution is one of the universal results of God’s manifested power. 

2 Timothy 2:12 promises if we endure, we will also reign with Him! Hallelujah!  When we are filled with the power of the Holy Ghost, and diligently keep ourselves rooted in the truth of His Word, our faith in the resurrected Christ becomes unshakable in the face of any persecution. Being single focused to carry out His will, by His power here on earth is what will cause us to rise above the threats and attempts of the devil to stop us moving forward in our mission.  

Hebrews 10:39 says, “...our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul.” 

Living purposefully for God is most certainly going to stir up trouble and opposition from the flesh and the kingdom of darkness, but understand in Christ Jesus, you are more than a conqueror!  So be alert and actively conscious of the devil’s strategy to oppose you, so you’re not caught off guard by his attacks, and you don’t give in to his threats.  

Jesus declared He has already overcome the world and deprived it of all power to harm you - so stand strong in your faith, stay single focused on the love and compassion of God for others, trust in the resurrection power that’s flowing in you, and move in the Spirit of God - as He leads you!

Until next week, build yourself up in your most holy faith and do whatever He tells you to do!

All my love,

Jenny