Get Over Yourself!

Ephesians 3:14-16

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

Paul once again prays in one of his letters.  I think this is something powerful that we need to emulate.  When we pray over someone, I think it helps them realize the full potential (moreso than if you hadn’t prayed over them) of The Spirit within them.  Prayer is a powerful element and when people are joined in prayer, it’s literally unbelievable what can happen.  I’m learning from my wife how important it is to be bold in prayer and not just use the same old, “I’ll pray for you” and walk away bit…but rather stop and pray for them, with them, on the spot.  It’s magical.

The very last part of verse 16 is something that has been on my heart for the past week.  I was watching a sermon the other day that talked about the power of the Spirit that lives in us.  The pastor was reminding us that the Holy Spirit is that same Spirit that always is.  First, we must realize that the 3 elements of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are 3 yet 1.  I don’t want to digress into a discussion of the triune God today, but follow along with me.  This same God, the One who calls Himself “I am” has been a constant forever.  His Spirit, the Spirit that resided in Christ on earth, the same Spirit He gifted us after ascending to heaven, resides in us today.

Let’s remember what this Spirit, what our God who lives in us, is capable of.  As a brief excerpt, John the Baptist sent his followers to investigate the “goings on” around Christ to see if it truly was the Messiah.  We pick up in Luke 7:21-23, 21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 23 Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”  This is the SAME SPIRIT that resides in us!  Yet we continue to limit ourselves with our own capabilities instead of realizing God’s capabilities.

Later we read (in Acts) the 12 disciples performing similar miracles after being gifted the Spirit.  So…what’s different today?  Why was this a reality then, but not now?  Because we cannot get over ourselves.  Thinking back to my high school days, we claimed bold statements like, “the sky is the limit!” and “you are only limited by the goals you do not set.”  We have become complacent in our faith, comfortable in our religion, and lazy in our living.

If we could just realize our potential, if we would let go of what we think is good and right and seek out God for His will, His purpose for our lives, if we would stop trying to be God and follow the One true God, we would be seeing miracles every day.  If we would show people who our God truly is, if we would follow Him the way He calls us to (not the way we want to), if we would devour His Word and put it to action, then even we couldn’t doubt God’s existence in our lives!

 

What are you waiting for?

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