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The Supernatural Power of God - Part I Missionary Esther Thornton, Oregon A woman’s ministry
is of great importance. My daughter recently celebrated her forty-second
birthday and this is what I left on her cell phone answering machine at work
that day, along with a delivery of a dozen red roses and a birthday balloon: “When you were born,
you were the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen! But, now, through
these years, as I view you as a grown woman, you are far more beautiful
because you are a woman of God, a woman of integrity and honor. God is
pleased with you; we are pleased; your husband praises you; and your children
shall rise up and call you blessed.” Here are some things
to make you smile today: Joke: Heading into the
jungle on his first safari, the American visitor was confident he could
handle any emergency. He sidled up to the experienced native guide and said
smugly, “I know that carrying a torch will keep lions away.” “That’s true,” the
guide replied. “But it depends on how fast you carry the torch.” Church Cats Johnny’s mother
looked out the window and noticed him “playing church” with their three
kittens. He had the kittens sitting in a row, and he was preaching to them. She smiled and went
about her work. A while later she
heard loud meowing and hissing and ran back to the open window to see Johnny
baptizing the kittens in a tub of water. She called out,
“Johnny, stop that! Those kittens are afraid of water!” Johnny looked up at
her and said, “They should have
thought about that before they joined my church.” <><><><><> We want to speak
today about who we are in God and where we are going
to be able to bring forth God’s supernatural power through our lives. And,
though the man is the head of the home; yet, the woman plays an important
part, as well in the plan and purpose of God. The following lesson
will cause us to desire to have the supernatural power of God in our lives,
whether male or female. I. The Identity Crisis - something to overcome I got a prayer
request to pray for this past week of a teenage girl who has bulimia. That is
when you throw up your food and take laxatives. This girl is beautiful, and
she is not fat. But, no one can tell her that she is not fat, so she goes on
with this problem and her improper intake of food is affecting her behavior
in a negative way. We must know who we
are in God and who He has made us to be. A well-known prophet
was to speak at a church. When he walked up to the church, he saw a group of
young people talking and laughing and having a good time. But, there was one
girl set aside from the others who was overweight
and wearing thick glasses. And, God told this prophet to go over and speak to
this girl that God would give her the power and ability to write a book. She
lit up but then doubt covered her face and she looked despondent as before. Several months
later, this same prophet returned to that church and the same girl met him at
the front, with a letter in her hand from the governor of the state, along
with a newspaper article reporting that she had won first place in the state
for a short story she had written and submitted. Now she was an integral part
of the youth group, writing plays, skits,a
nd scripts for them to perform. She was starting to
come into her own. The other people may
have seen “a plain Jane”, but God saw a precious jewel with a bright and
promising future. She has changed from a “nobody” to a person with purpose
and destiny. God desires for us
to know His plans and purposes for our lives. Satan wants to rob us of our
spiritual identity. John 8:32 And ye
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. God likes to display
Himself in our individuality. The mind is where
the battle for our destiny is fought. We are to have “the mind of Christ” (I
Cor. 2:16) and to renew our mind (Rom. 12:2). Destiny is, “the
inner purpose of a life that can be discovered and realized.” Discovering
your divine destiny and accomplishing what God has called you to achieve is
the most important thing you could ever do. It’s what you were born for.
Renewing your mind, transforming your thinking from the world’s point of view
to God’s perspective, will enable you to fulfill your destiny. (Col. 3:10). A high school
football coach taught his team a principle in bringing down the ball carrier:
“The body will always follow the head.” And, it is the same in spiritual
things. We need a true
“brain washing”. If we are going to change our lifestyles, we must first
change our mind-sets. The Spirit of God is
calling each of us to a higher standard. It is time for us to lay our all on
the altar and embrace the holy fire of God’s presence. Ezekiel 36:26 A new
heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I
will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Proverbs 4:23 Keep
thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. God’s way “Up” is
“Down”: True humility is the
steppingstone for us to receive deeper revelation. They receive wisdom and
insight from God that are withheld from those who are proud, arrogant, or
wise in their own eyes. Matthew 11:25 At
that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the
wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. And, God wants us to
have a tender heart and a gentle, humble, and teachable spirit. It is
childlike, and children around the world are being used today in miracles,
signs, and wonders. A well-known
prophet, Dick Mills, gave Bob and I a prophecy one time and it was in this
verse: “For I know the
thoughts that I think toward you,” says the Lord, “Thoughts of peace and not
of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11). God spoke these
words to another well-known prophet: “My people are about to believe what
they know.” God is going to move the Word of God from our heads to our hearts
and to our hands that we might become doers of the Word and not hearers only. Daniel 11:32 tells
us that it is the people who truly know God who display strength and take
action. We need to
completely yield our minds to the illumination of the Holy Spirit so that our
whole way of looking at things is completely transformed. Doctrine and
theology are important but they must not just be intellectual knowledge. The
Christian life is theology and doctrine in action. It is truth and love in
action. It is the Word and the power of God in action in and through us on a
daily basis, to bring in the harvest. II. This is the
Season of the Open Book: God shouts His
truths but whispers His secrets. Those who are close to God will be the ones
to receive His secrets. Knowledge of the intimate secrets and workings of God
are reserved for the friends of God. (Ps. 25:14). And, we need to know
the times and seasons that we are in. (Ecc. 3:1).
We need the anointing that rested upon the sons of Issachar, “who had
understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (I Chr. 12:32). We are living today
in the midst of the greatest manifestation of miracles, signs,a nd wonders since
Pentecost - and this is just the beginning! 1 Cor. 4:20 For the
kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. We have passed through the
season of “the open door” and now we are in the season of “the open book.” A yearly prophetic
word that God gave me not long ago, was that people
would no longer be satisfied with “the milk of the Word”, but would demand
“the meat”. This is a day of “revelation” or “unveiling”. God is offering to
us the anointing that we find in the book of Revelation of the over-comer.
God promises two things to the over-comer: hidden manna to eat, and a white
stone with a new name. 1. Hidden Manna: God is revealing
things to our generation that have been sealed from prior generations - this
is the hidden manna. We are living in what Daniel called, “the time of the
end.” One of the
weaknesses of the Charismatic movement has been the shallowness regarding the
Word God. We must not just be what we might call, “A man of the Spirit” but
also “A man of the Word”. These two will merge in our generation. 2. A White Stone
With a New Name: The second promise
for over-comers in Rev. 1:17 is a new name that is known only the recipient.
In ancient Israel, the high priest wore a pouch under his ephod that
contained two stones: black for “no” and white for “yes.” The white stone He
has given us stands for “yes” or full acceptance! 1. Be desperate for
God - Desire Him more than life itself (Psa. 51:10) 2. Have a pure heart
- Get rid of the junk (Mt. 5:8) 3. Now there is room
for His power and presence Isaiah 44:3 For I
will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I
will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine
offspring: Isaiah 58:11 And the
Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make
fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered
garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Rev. 4:1 After this
I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which
I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up
hither, and I will shew thee things which must be
hereafter. God has opened the
door and, as we pass through the door, we will see the open book. Our journey
has begun. Bethel is the place
where Jacob had his first encounter with God. Before journeying there, he
made sure his family got rid of idols and were pure. And, at Bethel, God gave
Jacob the new name of “Israel”. The name “Jacob” means “deceiver” but
“Israel” means “prince of God.” He received this new name because of his
transformed character. During this journey
to Bethel, Jacob’s wife, Rachel, went into hard labor and died, birthing
Benjamin. The church has been going through hard, grinding labor for the last
15-20 years: Birth is at hand! The name, “Benjamin” means “son of my sorrow.” Rachel, represents the past
movement of the Church. She took it as far as she could take it but then
Jacob stepped up and named him, “Benjamin”, “?The
son of My right hand.” God is going to name the new move that He is birthing,
“the son of My right hand.” People need to see
the power of God in action, the evidence of the reality of God that can
change their lives forever. People are drawn by
power, not by empty platitudes or theories that are divorced from personal
experience. III. God Can Use
Anyone: God gave a prophetic
word to a well-known prophet to give to an elderly lady in the audience, that He said would give her whole life meaning
and purpose. It was “Yes, honey, I saw you picking that duck.” He hesitated,
not understanding this! But, he obeyed and told her and she fell to the floor
weeping and laughing, almost hysterical! He had them get her up and inquired
what this was all about. “Oh, son,” she
answered….when I was a young woman during the war….I could find no job except
working for the government, standing on a dock all day, picking the feathers
from the breasts of ducks to use in military clothing. One day…I cried out,
“Oh, God, do you even know where I am?” Now, after all those
years, she was sitting in that coliseum and God had reassured her: “Yes,
honey, I saw you picking that duck.” God took note and He remembered! God knows who you
are and He loves you and wants to use you, just the way your are. Big is not always
better. God’s ways are higher than our ways. (Isa. 55:8-9). And, nothing is
impossible with God (Lu. 1:37). God measures by a different standard than
that of the world. We must break out of
the mindset of the world that we are little, weak, unimportant, insignificant , or useless. The world’s evaluation doesn’t
matter. God is drawn to the humble, the weak and unassuming in the world’s
eyes. He chooses them as the instruments of His purposes. 1 Cor. 1:20 Where is
the wise? where is the scribe? where
is the disputer of this world? hath not God made
foolish the wisdom of this world? 1 Cor. 1:26-29 For
ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh,
not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] But God hath chosen the
foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the
weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [28] And
base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen,
yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought
things that are: [29] That no flesh should glory in his presence. Even the wisest
wisdom of the world is foolishness compared to the wisdom of God. It is the
foolish, the weak, the base, and the despised of the world that God chooses
to use. God will use anyone who makes himself available to Him. God chooses the
people who are disregarded by the world so the world will see His glory.
God’s ways defy human explanation but they always work. The walls of the
great city of Jericho fell because Joshua and God’s servants obeyed how God
told them to conquer. It was not man’s way with text books or strategies. God
is looking for obedient faith. God does not choose
as man chooses. When the prophet Samuel was to anoint David as the second
king of Israel, God did not choose him by experience, rank or seniority - He
chose the youngest instead of the eldest, a stripling with a heart for God,
in preference to a man with an attractive countenance and impressive stature.
Eliab appeared to be the right choice, but he was
rejected by the Lord. Appearances may be deceiving and our own understanding
inadequate. That is why we are admonished in Prov. 3:5-6 to not lean upon our
own understanding. God saw David as “a man after His own heart”. When we attended an
Assembly of God Church in the Chicago area some years ago, they were voting
for a new pastor. A man tried out who was very likeable and efficient. But,
God revealed to me that I was to vote for the other candidate, a former
District Superintendent. A lady, who had been
an opera singer but was now converted, was still a novice in the things of
God, but the pastor had promoted her and her husband to the Board of the
church. The impressive pastor that she wanted lost by one vote and she knew
that it was mine that caused him to lose! She was so angry that I won’t
repeat the language that she used on me after this session of voting! But, the impressive
candidate publicly shared that he now knew it was not God’s will for him to
be at this church, but that God was using this to get the people in his area
to start a church there. He had tried for some time, but they refused and
wanted small home meetings to get his undivided attention! But, when they
realized that they might lose him, they were ready to make the move forward
that he had been waiting for! I was playing the
organ at the close of this testimony and people were coming to the altar to
pray. When I glanced down at this deacon’s wife kneeling at the altar, she
was looking at me with tears flowing down her face, as an apology. She had to learn
that it is not our choice that is important with God but who He chooses for
that place and time. We must always
depend upon our God. One of His covenant names is El Shaddai
- “The one who will do for you what you cannot do for yourself.” The Lord’s battles
are not won by the might of numbers, nor by the
power of human means, but by the Spirit of the Lord. Zech. 4:6 ….. Not by
might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. God can use the
humblest person to accomplish the greatest end. He is seeking those who will
accept and submit to His ways. He always responds to a hungry heart. Through
people who know and willingly submit to their God that He will accomplish
great exploits. Daniel 11:32 …. the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do
exploits. Joshua was advised
to prepare the people of Israel because they were about to go where they had
never gone before and this is where the church is at today - to go where we
have not gone before to this measure. The key to being
used of God is to stay hungry; to stay humble; to press on; and to move
higher. And, we must never settle for less than everything that God has
promised. Philip. 3:14 I press
toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. IV. Keep Our
Focus on Jesus: Jesus whole public
ministry was focused on one thing: announcing and establishing the Kingdom of
God on earth. Matthew 6:10 Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is
in heaven. Jesus had one single
purpose that was in His preaching, teaching and healing. He established it
through His death and resurrection. And, His single priority was the kingdom
of Heaven. The “Kingdom of God”
and “Kingdom of Heaven” are a fundamental part of biblical theology with the
word “kingdom” appearing 150 times in the New Testatment
alone. It’s root meaning is God’s royal kingship and
power - His divine authority to lead and rule. The gospel of the kingdom is
to be preached in all of the world. The Kingdom of God
is a demonstration of the power of God. People need, not only to hear, but to
see the demonstration of the power of God through us. What works did Jesus
do? Matthew 4:23-24 And
Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the
gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of
disease among the people. [24] And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto
him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and
those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and
those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And we are to preach
the good news, teach the Word, heal the sick and set the captives free - just
as Jesus did. John 14:12-14
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do
shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto
my Father. [13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that
the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any
thing in my name, I will do it. We are ambassadors
for Christ. The word, “ambassador”
in the Greek is presbeuo, which means a
senior representative possessing power and authority. An ambassador
represents the government that appointed him and the power and authority that
they have designated to him. Jesus never let the
turbulent times He lived in or the temptations and potential distractions
derail Him from fulfilling His purpose. Reaching and saving the lost was
always the center of His focus. (Lu. 19:10) John 18:37 Pilate
therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered,
Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I
born, and for this cause came I into the world, that
I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Jesus directed his
disciples to lift up their eyes and look at the harvest (Jn. 4:35). God is
moving even now, preparing the way for an end time harvest of massive
proportions. God’s powerful grace is even now invading the lives of those who
have been enemies of God. (I Tim. 2:4). We must not be
overwhelmed by the chaos in our world but pray that God will send forth
laborers into the harvest, as it will have to be the work of the Lord. It is
His harvest and He will not allow it to rot in the fields. God wants to
strengthen our faith in this day. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. It
also comes by using what faith you have. A minister was
watching body builders on television and was amazed at how well developed
their muscles were. And, the Lord spoke to him and said, “You have the same
number of muscles as these men!, but you need to
develop yours.” And, as our faith
and trust is developed, a stability comes in our
lives. Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose
hope the Lord is. [8] For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and
that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and
shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be
careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Disciples: The New Testament
word for disciple if machetes, which means, “A learner.” A
disciple is not only a student but also a follower. Too many today are
looking to classes instead of picking up their crosses. On the other hand, we
cannot follow without being a true learner or we become shallow. So, both are
needed. The Great Commission
is not a suggestion, but rather, a command. A total commitment is crucial if
we are to fulfill the Great Commission. The Kingdom of God is both Word and
power. Well done is better than just well said. (James 1:22). What are disciples? 1. Disciples are
abiders - John 8:31 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which
believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”
2. Disciples are
doers with positive and practical action. 3. Disciples are
lovers - John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another.” 4. Disciples keep growing. (Phil. 3:14) Read Part II in June ____________________________ REF:
“God’s Supernatural Power” by Bobby Conner |
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Missionary
Esther Thornton Global
Evangelism Fellowship, Inc. |
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