Power Belongs To God

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; 

as certain also of your own poets have said, 

For we are also his offspring.

Acts 17:28

Power belongs to God!  Isn't it interesting that there is no quantifier, or qualifier, for that matter, to God’s power.  It just simply is; power originated with Him.  There is no comparison to the limited power of man based on fame, fortune, money, position and yes, even knowledge to the power of God.  That would be like comparing a lit match stick to the sun!  The true and living God revealed in the Holy Bible is the source of all power. King David wrote:

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Psalms 62:11

When God repeats something it is because it is very important.   Before anything else existed, there was God.   In Genesis 1-2,  it records the beginning of the world and all living beings. God made the earth by His power:

He hath made the earth by His power; He hath established the world by His wisdom and hath stretched out the heavens by His discretion.   Jeremiah 10:12

I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. Jeremiah 27:5

For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.   Colossians 1:16

Since God created all things, there is nothing beyond the scope of His power:

Ah Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.   Jeremiah 32:17

God is the source of power behind all things in their present state:

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and POWER: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.  Revelation 4:11

For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things; to whom be glory for ever. Romans 11:36

Who being in the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:    Hebrews 1:3

God has the times and seasons in His power:

And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.   Acts 1:7 

The earth and all it contains belong to the Lord:

The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalms 24:1

God is called the possessor of Heaven and earth. To possess something is to have power over it.

And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,  Genesis 14:22 

There are many kingdoms and governments in this world. But God's Kingdom is sovereign. This means He rules over all:

The Lord hath prepared His throne in the Heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all. Psalms 103:19

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the Kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.  1 Chronicles 29:11-12

❤    Since God created man, only He has power over the spirit of man:

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.  (Ecclesiastes 8:8)

 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.  Luke 12:4-5

❤    God has power to preserve those appointed to die:

Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die.   Psalms 79:11

❤    God is the one who gives power to the faint:

He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.  Isaiah 40:29

O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.  Psalms 68:35

❤    God's power is not affected by the power or lack of power of man:

And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee.  2 Chronicles 14:11

God has the power to deliver. The Bible is filled with records of how God supernaturally delivered people in times of need. Two good examples are found in the book of Daniel. God delivered His servants from the furnace of fire in Daniel 3 and from the lions' den in Daniel 6.

❤    His power is unlimited:

The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.   Nahum 1:3

                                                                                         

❤    His power is excellent:

Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.   Job 37:23

❤    God's power is everlasting. Apostle Paul wrote that God...

Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.   1 Timothy 6:16

In the final book of the Bible a future event in Heaven is recorded when . . .

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.   Revelation 15:8

Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.    Revelation 7:12

And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in Heaven, saying, Alleluia: Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power unto the Lord our God.  Revelation 19:1

Repeatedly, from beginning to end, the Bible stresses that God is the source of power and it is His power that we should seek.  King David recognized it when he recorded:  

Power belongs to God!

(Biblical Studies)



04/29/16
05/20/17
01/14/19

09/18/20

Religion Kills You Spiritually

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; 

but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Timothy  4:3-4

The call from Jesus is to relinquish worldly power for spiritual power which is given for the purpose of serving a suffering, lost, and dying world.

This type of power is not referring to  man-made religious denominations or religious organizations. Nor is it referring to authority delegated through a vote by the majority. It is not authority given by a title, position or office. It is not power based on education or ability.

This type of power is referring to the biblical conception of spiritual power. The biblical meaning of the word "power" is spiritual might, ability, force, and strength. It is a supernatural dominion which results in mighty works, wonders and miracles.

The deception of works alone without an intimate relationship  with our Heavenly Father is slow death spiritually.  Just as there is a deceiving sleep and warmth which comes upon a man who is dying from cold by freezing to death, so it is in the spiritual world. There is a stupor and an unconcerned attitude when people are dying spiritually.  

Religion is the attempt of man to know or placate God and is often done to ease our conscious or make us feel good without consideration to the very God we serve. It is ritualistic and regulations, works and words without power.  Religion brings spiritual death.

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.   Matthew 15:8

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Isaiah 29:30

King David understood that our knowledge of God should be hidden in our heart and that our actions are driven by what is in our heart.

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.   Psalms 119:10-11

When we don't include God in our actions, it is no more than dead weight.

 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9

The power of God is the visible demonstration of His desire to reveal Himself to man. 

Spiritual power is God's Kingdom in action.  

It brings spiritual life.

Many have experienced religion. They have joined various denominations and even cults. These organizations have lulled them into an unconcerned spiritual attitude. They have not experienced the power of the Gospel which can change their lives. They are defeated and discouraged, sick and wounded. They are dying spiritually. Oh that we would have the same heart and longing as that of the Psalmist David who wrote. . .

O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.   Psalms 63:1-2

These people have yet to experience life after religion; understand the fullness and richness of living in the Kingdom of God.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.   Matthew 13:44

We seek or realize various powers in the world today but no power on this earth can compare to the power of God.  Consider some of the many types of power in the world today:

  

      Ø   Political power is held by those in control of organizations, tribes, villages, cities, states, 

             provinces and entire nations.

      Ø   Intellectual power results in new inventions, literary and musical creations, and the     

             establishing of educational institutions.

      Ø   Physical power is possessed by strong men, many of whom become professional athletes.

      Ø   Financial power is held by the bankers and businessmen who head corporations and 

             great financial empires.

      Ø   Military power held by great armies is used to defend and gain new territories.

      Ø   The power of energy serves men in many ways ranging from a simple fire for warmth to 

             electricity serving an entire city.

      Ø   Religious power results in great denominations and religious cultures.

Indeed all of these are great powers at work in our world today however never forget what God tells us:

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.  Psalms 62:11

The call from Jesus is not to worldly power. It is to spiritual power. It is a power that asks not "How can I be master?," but rather "How can I serve?"

Jesus explained the difference between the power structure of the world and that of the Kingdom of God. He said:

 . . . Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.   Matthew 20:25-28

Authority is also related to this type of power.  In the bible, it is closely related to and has similar meaning to the word "power." Authority refers to legal and rightful power to act on behalf of another. Taking authority is the action of demonstrating power. It is possessing the right to exercise delegated power within defined boundaries.

The biblical source of spiritual power is the true and living God who is revealed in the Holy Bible. God is composed of God the Father, God the Son; Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father is the source of power:

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.  Romans 13:1

God delegated power to His Son, Jesus Christ:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Matthew 28:18

Jesus has delegated authority in His name and spiritual power to believers. This power is experienced through the Holy Spirit:

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.   Acts 1:8

When Jesus began His public ministry, it was a ministry of miracles. His ministry did not
succeed because of its great organization. He started with twelve disciples and ended with eleven. It did not succeed because of popularity. In the end, nearly everyone abandoned Him including His own followers. His ministry touched the multitudes because of the demonstration of power:

And they were astonished at His doctrine, for His word was with power.  Luke 4:32

And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! For with authority and power He commandeth the unclean spirits and they come out.  Luke 4:36

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil; for God was with Him.  Acts 10:38

The early church was birthed in a demonstration of power. It was said of them. . .

 . . . These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.  (Acts 17:6)

The early church [body of Christ] affected entire cities and nations, but they did not do it by just preaching alone. People listened and lives were changed because they witnessed the demonstration of God's power:

 . . . the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them; and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.  Acts 8:6-8

When Peter came to Lydda, he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedfast for eight years. . .

And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole; arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.   Acts 9:34-35

In Joppa, Peter raised a woman named Dorcas from the dead. When this miracle took place:

. . . it was known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.     Acts 9:42

Each miraculous demonstration of God's power focused attention on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Each power encounter resulted in multiplication of His body (the church).

Political influence is not what we need to reach the world with the Gospel. The early church did not have enough political influence to keep Peter from going to prison, but they had enough spiritual power to pray him out.

More preaching, though it is needed, is not what will reach the world. The early church prayed for days, preached a few minutes, and 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 1-2). Today we pray ten minutes, preach a ten day revival, and see little if any souls converted.

More money for ministry does not assure reaching the world with the Gospel message. While it is true that finances are important to the work of the ministry, it is not the most necessary essential.  When Peter and John passed by the temple gate at Jerusalem, a lame beggar asked for a few coins. Peter and John did not even have this small amount of funds. But they gave what they had:

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.  And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.  And he, leaping up, stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:6-8)

What they had was power and authority in the name of Jesus. They had no advertising budget to reach the city of Jerusalem. They had no printed tracts or Bibles, no television networks, no internet. But they had power. Through the demonstration of God's power, the entire city was affected by the Gospel message (Acts 3-4).

The early Church realized that the Gospel of the Kingdom was not only of word but of power:

For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.  I Corinthians 4:20

The early church did not fight over the word of God, they preached its precepts:

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:  Hebrews 12:14

Don't let religion; ritualistic rites - meaningless without substance - substitute a real relationship with God which comes with spiritual power and authority.

(Biblical Studies)





12/15/15
02/02/17
11/12/18

02/12/20

06/30/22

God's Promises / Your Choice

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found , 

call ye upon him while he is near:

Isaiah 55:6

We make many choices everyday without any conscious thought behind it.  But there is one choice that we all need to make that, considering the magnitude of it,  really requires no thought and yet we ponder it deeply, write books about it, discredit it and ultimately, many of us reject it.  Even when we don't outright reject it, we put our personal spin on it.  Or if we don't reject it, we acknowledge it then pacify ourselves out of not fully accepting it.  That choice is to live a life that is pleasing to God in accordance to His word.

When God created the world, He made many different kinds of creatures. He made animals, fish, insects, and birds (Genesis 1).

But God's greatest creation was man who was created in His own image. Man is unique among all creatures because he not only has a body, but he has a soul, and spirit and a higher intelligence allowing him to make conscious rather than instinctive decisions. Man was created to worship and fellowship with the true and living God (Genesis 2-3).

Man, by creation, is the companion of a miracle working Father; the true and living God. Man; endued with the breath of God and made in His image, has a capacity for power unlike any other created being. The miracle working realm should be man's natural realm.  Man has the capacity to cause God's will in heaven to be done on earth!

Man has the most powerful, intelligent mind of all of God's creatures. 

Man has the power of choice. Man can choose to do good or evil. 

He can choose to obey God or Satan.

The first temptation of man by Satan in the Garden of Eden focused on this power of choice (Genesis 3). Because of a wrong choice to sin, a basic sin nature has been passed from Adam and Eve to all mankind.

If man is to experience true spiritual power, he must choose to serve God. Since all are sinners, all are in need of forgiveness:

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23

Forgiveness comes through repentance and belief on Jesus Christ:

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   1 John 1:8-9

Repentance from sin is the basis for spiritual power. You cannot experience the power of God if you remain in the spiritual death of sin.

When the disciples were preaching in one city, a man named Simon witnessed the power of God in action. He offered money to Peter and said:

. . . Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:19

Peter answered:

. . . Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  Thou has neither part nor lot in this matter; for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.   Acts 8:20-23

Repentance is the basis of all true spiritual power. 

You will never experience God's power unless you have 

first experienced repentance. 

Salvation from sin is the greatest demonstration of the power of God.

God does not pour His power through sinful vessels. He does not work through people who try to improve their lives through self-effort.

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break , and the wine runneth out , and the bottles perish : but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.   Matthew 9:16-17

God demonstrates His power through holy vessels who have repented and are serving Him.

Believers have been promised spiritual power. But there are two parts to every promise of God:

v  The promise:   The content, the actual words and meaning of the promise.

v  The possession of that promise:   You cannot use that which you do not possess. You must claim the promises of God in order for them to become reality in your life.

There must first be a fundamental belief in God and His Sovereignty.  

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 

How do we claim the promises of God?  

           √       You Must Choose To Do So

We have the power to accept the promise of God, reject it, or ignore it. Many people have rejected the promise of spiritual power. They believe it was only for the early Church. Others have ignored it. They read the promises in the Bible, but do not act upon them. These people do not have the demonstration of God's power in their lives because they have exercised their own power of choice and failed to claim the promise.

Whenever there is a promise in God's Word that is not fulfilled in our life, it does not mean it is not true or not for us. Do not interpret the Bible on the basis of your own experience. Just because you have not experienced a promise of God does not mean it is not a true and valid promise. The promise of power is a gift from God. But you must choose to accept that gift.

            √       You Must Understand The Principles

To possess any Biblical promise, we must understand the principles upon which it is based. Promises of God are always based on certain principles which always involve a response from man.

For example, many promises of God are based on the "if/then" principle. God says "If you will do this certain thing, then you will receive this promise." 

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: Deuteronomy 28:1

God gave King Solomon a promise based upon the condition of choice:

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14

A promise was given that was based on obedience.

To experience the promise of spiritual power, we must understand the Biblical principles of power. In the natural world, it is similar to reading the instructions that come with a product to learn how to operate it properly or like using a recipe to learn how to prepare a certain food.

         √       You Must Apply The Principles

Someone can give you a lovely gift in the natural world. You can choose to accept it. It comes with instructions. You can read the instructions and understand them thoroughly. But unless you use the instructions to operate the gift, the product is still useless to you.  

Mere understanding of the Biblical power principles is not enough. We must apply these principles to our own life and ministry.

Always know that we are God's workmanship.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

We are the only life on earth uniquely made to have the power of free will. God tells us to choose this day whom we will serve; to call on Him while He is near!

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  Joshua 24:15

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found , 

call ye upon him while he is near: 
Isaiah 55:6

Biblical Studies



12/14/15
01/18/16
02/01/17
01/12/19

09/17/20

06/29/22