September 26, 2009

Imagine living a life that is not only characterized by words . . . . .

“but also with power”

What does it mean to have the power of God at work in you?

I think we all know of people who are “all talk”. We instinctively know that substance is lacking. On the other hand we know of those whose words are full of integrity, meaning that the works and the character and the actions of the person are “integrated”, they are of a piece, that person is “whole”.

The power of God is the power by which Jesus was raised from the dead. Christ in you, means that very same power that raised Jesus from the grave is also resident in you. Believe this.

Imagine:

Imagine your life not just being words that talk about God’s love but being filled with power that comes from the actual first hand feeling and experience of knowing you are safe and loved by God.

This is what it means to be born again. For some it’s immediate and powerful, full of tears and joy. For others it’s a life long journey of being baptized and re-birthed into God’s love. But if you take the journey, IMAGINE . . .

Two years from now can you imagine yourself free from whatever plagues you now? Loneliness, fear,anxiety, anger, bitterness, insecurity, lust and keeping up with the Joneses.

Imagine yourself free of the need for praise or approval from others.

Imagine that worry and stress no longer overpower and push you down under their weight.

Imagine a life where joy errupted from your spirit at surprising times?

Imagine a life in which you can enjoy each moment thankful and content and relishing the gift of life with the people around you.

Imagine feeling so well off that you don’t need more money or stuff to feel content. You might even find yourself becoming more generous.

Who wouldn’t want to be the kind of person who is loving and more loving year after year and the kind that others are grateful for and grateful to have around because you’re making a lasting difference in their lives? Imagine being able to act lovingly toward the unloveable people in your life.

Is this possible?

Only if Jesus is telling the truth!

“If the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free”. John 8:36 (AMP)

Can you imagine a lifelong journey of being increasingly free of things that separate you from the abundance of life that God offers. The job will not be complete until we meet Jesus face to face, but . . . . . . . .

This freedom is what happened to Paul and it overflowed . . . . . . . .
This freedom is what happened to the Thessalonians and it overflowed . . . . . . . .
And it overflowed to others and still others, it just couldn’t be contained.

Christ lives in you and he has so much he wants to give you.

"What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!" Luke 11:11-13 (AMP)