Master, we saw someone casting out devils in your name, and he is not not in our group. We told him to stop because he was not with us in our group. Jesus said, Don’t forbid him. Let him bless the people. If he is not against us, he is working with us. Mark 9:38-40 (my paraphrase)
We are in the midst of a global spiritual upheaval. We want to each just do our part. On one hand, it is a spiritual revival. On the other hand, the evil is rising up to oppose with oppressive tactics. A main tactic of the enemy is to get our focus off of the Lord Jesus Christ, and onto some thing or onto some group or onto some person, particularly onto ourself.
The Word says that God validates His work by signs, wonders and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to His own will (Hebrews 2:1-4). T.L. Osborn said miracles prove Jesus is alive. God wants to work and prove Himself by His power for His glory, with no flesh glorying in His sight.
Let it be established, God’s heart of love is to set people free. By faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, and His working in and through us in this present day, God is working to help oppressed people, and to set them free from the enemy who is robbing and oppressing them. (Venezuela)
God is working on every level of society, and God will work in any and every group or individual who believes in and yields to Him. He does not wait for us to get perfect before He uses us. We go through a time of preparation, then, there is a time of demonstration. There are seasons of this. We want to move and operate in God’s seasons and timing.
Even if our theologies and practices might not all be the same or right, bottom line is that God still wants to set people free, and it still takes God’s power to do God’s work. In spite of differences, God will still use us or our group as much as He can, as we yield to His Spirit in faith.
Flow around the stump in the river. “Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
Why Do People Not Operate in the Power of God?
Unbelief. “Jesus rebuked the devil…the child was cured…the disciples…said, Why could we not cast him out…Jesus said…Because of your unbelief.” Matthew 17:18-21
Spiritual blindness. “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
Being religious without the revelation of the person and the finished work of Jesus, is being a “believer” without being truly surrendered to God in faith and yielded to the Holy Spirit. It is having a form of godliness with no power. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
The love of God is shed abroad in our heart by the Spirit of God (Romans 5:5). Jesus had the love of God enough to go into the temple and clean house, and set it up as a place of prayer, true worship, and as a healing center for the people. Matthew 21:13-14
If we are not truly surrendered to God in faith and yielded to the Holy Spirit, there is no miracle-working power of love.
The Key to Operating in the Love and Power of God
Faith. Jesus said if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you can speak to a mountain, and it must obey you. Matthew 17:18-21; Mark 11: 23
This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He has sent. John 6:29
When we truly believe God, there are at least six things that will be taking place.
1. Empty of self. Brokenness. Humility enough to believe His Word.
2. Total dependence on the Holy Spirit. Being led, not driven or rushed.
3. Quiet life of obedience. Daily, personal, private devotion and faithfulness to God. Living our daily life with integrity before God.
4. Living for God’s approval alone. Willing to be misunderstood or put to shame for His name’s sake. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
5. Reverence to the Holy Spirit. Uncompromising holiness of heart and mouth. Total resolve to please, obey and give place to Him; to never to grieve the Holy Spirit.
6. Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep us balanced with our focus kept on the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:20-21
“God is not looking for strong vessels, but surrendered ones.” A child, surrendered to God, can be a vessel through which God can manifest Himself with great power.
When you dwell in the courts of The King, you are very kind and loving, but you carry His authority, and you hold no fear of any entity on earth. “They took knowledge…that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
