{You’re More Powerful Than You Think}
…written 4 years ago…
“Jesus sent out the twelve disciples with these instructions: …the Kingdom of heaven is near (so even when it’s not yet here, we are to do these things!**). Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons.” Matthew 10v5,7,8
“These miraculous signs WILL accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, AND THEY WILL BE HEALED.” Mark 16v17,18
Three and a bit years ago we made our very first drive to Northern California. I remember so distinctly praying in the car about what we would see and hear and experience that weekend. I had just read a book on Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount and it was absolutely wrecking me. The book was littered with stories of God showing up in the world today – blind eyes seeing, deaf ears hearing, illness being healed, miraculous provision… And the author said this:
“In Mark 16:15-18 Jesus set this mission statement for His church:
‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well.’” (Compelled By Love, Baker, p14)
Excuse me? Where has that verse been my whole life?
I looked it up in my own Bible, every version I had, because I had never ever heard it before. Or at least I never noticed it.
How could I have missed it for so long? Is that actually in the Bible? This wasn’t a “it’d be awesome if you did this guys” verse from Jesus. It was a “this is actually your job, your life, your calling on earth now.”
And it implies we’re equipped to do those things. We have what it takes.
Absolutely mind-blowing.
On that 7-hour drive I was thinking about that wild verse and had this thought, “Maybe we’ve forgotten our power (as believers) and the enemy has us right where he wants us. Not recognizing the power we have and thus, somewhat ineffective.”
It’s not the way it was ever meant to be.
IT’S NOT THE WAY WE WERE MADE TO LIVE AND OPERATE.
We were made to live and operate in God’s power.
“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” 1 Corin. 4v20
As if Jesus saying we’d heal the sick, cast out demons, and perform miracles as part of our normal life wasn’t enough, he also said “you will see GREATER THINGS THAN THESE” (Mark 16v17,18; Matthew 10v7,8; John 14v12).
Greater than Jesus did? The miracles, healings, signs and wonders He did, we’d see greater?
That’s quite a statement.
Quite an invitation.
Quite a calling to something FAR greater.
But it’s not meant to be scary. Do you hear me?
IT’S NOT MEANT TO BE SCARY OR INTIMIDATING.
And it’s not meant to be another list of “things to do if you follow Jesus.”
THIS is an invitation into the most abundant, fulfilling, amazing life.
An invitation to partner with the Creator, who adores you, and bring His Kingdom of light, hope, peace, and wholeness to the world.
Could it be we’ve forgotten our (God-given) power?
Could it be we haven’t recognized the power we have?
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.” (Romans 8v11)
It’s already inside of you.
The same power, the same Holy Spirit that actually raised dead Jesus to life again, IS IN YOU.
We have HIM, HIS power, miraculous help for people INSIDE of us and we had no idea.
We actually have power and authority to live like Jesus and do the things He did. Not just a, “What would Jesus do”, but a fully equipped life to “Do what Jesus did!”
This is an invitation to so much more.
We want to see people ushered into the Kingdom of light and peace because God’s power is working in and through us.
Do you want that too? How amazing would that be?!
This is just the start of a journey, the start of an adventure to discovering and living out fully who God made us.
We’ve got a lifetime of fun and awe ahead of us.
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