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THE COST OF RESURRECTION POWER

Spiritual power is a gift from God, the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, that comes to us so that we might be effective witnesses in this world and also live transparent lives in the world reflecting the indwelling Christ.

I preached a message a few years ago called “The Way to World Changing Power.” In that message I shared a quote fromStreams in the Desert, my favorite devotional book.

“We sometimes seem to forget that what God takes from us, he takes with fire, and that the only road to a life of RESURRECTION POWER leads us first to Gethsemane, the cross and the tomb.”

Gethsemane ~ where we surrender our will to God in prayer, as did our Savior who prayer, “Not my will but your will be done.” The Cross ~ where our self-life is crucified with Christ. And the Tomb ~ where our old nature, and the sins of the flesh are buried out of sight.

John Hyde, missionary to India in the early 20^th century once stated, “The self life must not only be dead but buried out of sight, for the stench of the unburied self life will frighten people away from Jesus.”

Paul the apostle himself declared, “I have been crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Powerful declarations from these two men, yet regarding power, scripture tells us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Right now many in the body of Christ are experiencing trials and testings, which God is using to prepare us for Kingdom service in the days ahead. Preparation is necessary before God’s power can be released in our lives. Perhaps you are in your own Gethsemane or bearing the weight of a heavy cross. Trust Him. Know God loves you and will use for good what the enemy intends for evil. (Genesis 50:20) Your faith is being proved genuine.

Another quote from Streams in the Desert explains how God hid Elijah the prophet in a ravine called Cherith for a season to reveal to him the true source of spiritual power in life. “Every saintly soul that desires to have great power in their Christian life must win it in some hidden ravine. It may be a time of sickness, grief, aloneness where all we can do is pray. The acquisition of spiritual power is impossible, unless we can hide ourselves from others where we may absorb the power of the eternal God through prayer …It is in these places that the sounds of human voices are exchanged for the waters of quietness that flow from the throne of God and where we taste the sweetness and soak up the power of a life hidden with Christ.”