All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

Because we need it . . .

Power of God ~ how do we access it?

Listen to this podcast here: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/357865fb/because-we-nee...

Turns out it is not the only thing left to do but the most empowering thing to do . . . pray!

This briefing is not a bunch of well wishing or pious words - this writing contains the method by which our lives can be radically improved, infused with hope that is based on truth. Again, I am pointing us to the empowering prayer of Paul we referenced in our last briefing, The Best Prayer You Can Pray for Someone Else: https://conta.cc/3H6UgyM.

But first, I am thinking of those who are lost in a cycle that seems to just circle the drain - could be for a myriad of different reasons. Where is the hope? Is there a way out? With serious mental health problems on an exponential increase and accompanying addiction... where is the hope? Can we influence the thinking of our young people who consider suicide a viable option ... overdoses as just unfortunate? Yes, we can.

Yesterday, I learned of another young man I know - the reference to him was ‘well, he really is not sober much--he cannot get past what happened; he woke up next to his girlfriend a couple years ago--she was dead from an overdose.’ [harkens back to'There is nothing left to do but pray,’ I heard the tired mother sigh. Okay, maybe it was me.]. Turns out it is not the only thing left to do but the most empowering thing to do . . . pray!

These words of Paul from Ephesians 1: I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better . . .that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope . . . and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Friends, tomorrow is not promised to us. Perhaps your young person or your mate is not spiraling downward but is not looking to God for wisdom or direction . . . he does not find his source of meaning in God . . . pray that God will step into his path as he did the apostle Paul. Pray that she will desire to know truth, and once knowing it, choose it.

Paul prayed over those he loved and so did Jesus. This Sunday I have the opportunity to share the Israel, 2023 journey with a church outside of Boston. I will show them photos of:

-the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus taught

-sailing on the Sea of Galilee - where he rescued his disciples

-the pit where he was held after he was arrested

-the beautiful Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus often went to pray - alone and with his disciples ...

Now, can you imagine being with Jesus and having him pray over you? O, how blessed were those who experienced the physical presence and voice of Jesus, commending them to the Father! I am sure that Jesus reached out and touched them as he prayed … sure that Jesus touched the disciples often, as one more way of conveying his love to them. Ah. It would have been a supernatural experience being in the presence of Jesus as he prayed for you!

Just a peek at what Jesus prayed:

~Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they will be one, just as you and I are one. ... I pray these things while I am still in the world so that these followers can have all of my joy in them. Joy, Lord?

I am not asking you to take them out of the world but to keep them safe from the Evil One.1

Jesus still prays for us, dear ones! “Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”² Every time I think of that, it strengthens me, gives me hope, reminds me that I am not alone in this thing called life, and neither are you, if you will look to him.

Note that Jesus prayed, “Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me…” and again, as Paul concluded his prayer here in Ephesians 1, he also prayed, (that) “you will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe.” He goes on to describe that power:

That power is the same as the great strength God used to raise Christ from the dead and put him at his right side in the heavenly world. vs. 20

Your attention please: Did you catch that? The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is within you who possess the Holy Spirit of God, if you have given yourself to our good and loving God.

So, Friends~ as you pray, claim the power that is yours in Jesus Christ. Let’s you and I really believe it . . . have faith in the same power of God that raised Jesus from the dead. Claim it as you pray. You serve a God of power and might, and Jesus himself gave us the right and privilege to pray in his name, accessing the authority (and power) in that name!³ Amazing. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it, and they are safe.”⁴

A prayer: Lord God, I pray for the young man who lost his girlfriend and lives daily trying to cover the pain and shame, I pray for others who are floundering. O, God..come! I know that I am weak and sometimes feel thrown this way and that in life … oft by my own failings—silly anxieties and proclivities. Yet you are God. You are the God on the throne, and you are mighty—your power greater than any other that exists, and it is mine. So God … I pray by the power of your name, that you will enable me, you will enable us to walk daily in a manner that honors you, not getting caught up by so many lesser things.

And God, remind me to share this simple truth with others, as tomorrow is not promised to any of us. There is no hope in life without you. God, strengthen us in your power through the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Print this out, underline what applies to you, pray . . . grow in grace and strength.

Song: This is Amazing Grace, Phil Wickham: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFRjr_x-yxU

Grab onto the Grace of God.

Christine

PastorWoman.net

Could you please hit REPLY and respond to this? Did it encourage you?

1) from John 17

2) Romans 8.34

3) John 16.24

4) Proverbs 18.10

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