Monday, June 17, 2019 -
When Jesus ascended to heaven, He told us we would receive POWER when the Holy Spirit came upon us. This would enable us to become His witnesses even to the most remote parts of the earth (Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20), as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come (Matt. 24:14).
The book of Ephesians speaks of the surpassing greatness of His POWER toward we who believe “in accordance with the working of the STRENGTH of His might” (Ephesians 1:19). This POWER was manifested in the resurrection of Christ (Ephesians 1:20), with the conquering of death being the proof of His deity. It was only at that part that the culmination of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross was revealed and completed (I Corinthians 15:12-17). This is why, time after time, when Jesus healed people or cast out demons He told the recipients of that POWER not to reveal that He was the Christ. But this POWER of Christ now dwells in us (II Corinthians 12:9), and STRENGTHENS us (Ephesians 3:16), and makes us ministers of God’s grace, the unfathomable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:7-9). And so, He “is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the POWER that works within us (Ephesians 3:20).
And so, we believers must be bold for the Lord, because the POWER of God rests in us. I see this in the prison where I am. When I came, I was determined not to hide the fact that I am a Christian, and that it is why I’m in prison. Paul said, “for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the POWER of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Yet I have also determined I must demonstrate through my actions and attitudes that I truly am set apart in Christ. The result has been a respect from other inmates that can only be attributed to God’s POWER and faithfulness, and for this I give God all the praise, glory, and thanksgiving. And I also thank all of you who have prayed for me, that God would surround me with His angels and fill me with His Spirit. Praise be His holy name!