Turn On the Spiritual Power with Audio Podcast

GOT SPIRITUAL POWER?

How much battery power does your spiritual life contain? What if you got a line into your spiritual life on both the positive and the negative and tied it all into the lights of your city and pulled the switch? Would you light up the whole town? Or a single lamp in your home? And then  would your spiritual power stay strong or slowly wear down?

I don’t think God wants you to have a flat, boring, dull, listless existence. And I think the only thing that stands in your way to having a vital walk with Him is to remove some roadblocks. I’ve said it before. Such as, expose your faith. Let Jesus lead. Respond to and nurture His Word. Reveal His truth to others and give Him time to do His work, as you expect great things. Allow His truth to affect every area of your life.

Mark 5 also shows us we need to turn on the power.

Jesus’ Exhibited Power

In the wilderness Jesus confronted Satan and revealed His power over the devil. When He returned to civilization, He preached with power. People responded, “We’ve never heard anyone speak with such authority.” And the sick were healed. The blind could see. Disabled people walked, talked, and could hear. He ministered with power.

He overcame sin. Tempted in all ways like you and me, He never gave in. He showed power over the death of a widow’s son, the brother of Mary and Martha, and a synagogue official’s daughter (Mark 5).

How Much Power Do You Have?

God wants to give us spiritual power, but there are roadblocks. Perhaps you’re hesitant to receive full power from Him. Spiritual power may bring change in your life. A new gifting might involve added responsibility along with the opportunity.

We all seek something. The whole world teems with seekers. Many crave or demand things that bring no power to their lives. Some long for tranquility, that is, days without a ripple. Others desire all the answers. That’s one reason they read the Scriptures, to find a solution to every problem. The goal is no conflict or anxiety or anything to go wrong. Maybe you’ve noticed those who clamor for superiority or longevity.

Then they discover Jesus saying things like, “But in this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33); “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 20:26); or “Who has lost his life for my sake shall save it” (Matthew 10:39).

First Things First

Being consumed with longevity, superiority, and tranquility rob you of spiritual power. Seek first His kingdom by longing for His peace, His wisdom, and justice, as well as His righteousness, humility and above all, how to love His way. And along the way, pursue spiritual power. How does that happen?

Mark 5:7, “And crying out with a loud voice, he said, ‘What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment Me!’

A man possessed with a demon called Legion runs to Jesus. He knows who Jesus is. He also perceives who he himself is. And Jesus delivers him to wholeness. If you’re going to receive spiritual power, honestly view and accept what you see. Only those who realize their spiritual powerlessness can really get hold of God’s power.

Spiritual Power Inventory

First, take an inventory of, say, your last five months. Anyone near you brought closer to the Lord? Or raised from a sick bed? Any broken relationships restored? Someone convicted or encouraged by your words? Has anyone consumed with hate been washed in His love? Or a discouraged one found new hope?

Now, if none of this has happened, confess this to God. “Lord, I am powerless.” Say it and admit it.

Don’t Count the Cost

Second, can you seek spiritual power with no regard for the cost?

Mark 5:17, “And they began to entreat Him to depart from their region.”

The people of the city knew this man Legion. They heard his screams among the tombs and recognized this tremendous change to his life. But they objected to the results. They lost a herd of swine. It cost them too much. They begged Jesus to leave. Who knew what else they would lose?

Giving It Up

Third, wanting spiritual power often costs you some sin. What’s your favorite sin? We all hold on to at least one. Like a grown man hugging his childhood teddy bear, we hang on. If you want more spiritual power, you most likely can’t do something anymore.

Fourth, disregard what others will think.

Mark 5:22, “And one of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and upon seeing Him, fell at his feet.”

This amazing act of humility was done by Jairus, a prominent religious leader, a synagogue official. He risked the common people saying, “My old Jairus must be a backslider. Look at him. He’s such a religious person, but now he needs help from this Jesus.”

Shy Faith

The biggest drawback to seeking God’s power will be fear of opinions of others. So, you hold back. But courage can grow step by step. Go regularly to the Lord’s house to publicly worship Him. Hear and respond to the preaching of His Word. Be ready to open up to His challenges a bit at a time.

Apostle Paul knew who he was and was not, and he wasn’t too proud to let others know. In 1 Timothy 1:15 he proclaims, “I am the chief sinner” and in 1 Corinthians 15:9, “I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” And Ephesians 3:8, he considered himself “the very least of all saints” and in Romans 7:18, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”

Paul even bragged about his weaknesses in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Some doubted Paul’s authority, that he must not possess much power due to personal chronic sickness, a thorn in his flesh. But Paul explained, I have this so “that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

Best Way to Seek Power

Fifth, seek spiritual power with a desperate heart.

Mark 5:28, “For she thought, ‘If I just touch His garments, I shall get well.””

The woman had a hemorrhage for twelve years. She tried everything. Then, she heard about Christ, how He healed the sick. She thought, if only I can get through the crowd, be strong enough to make it close to Him to touch His garment. She sought His spiritual power with a desperate heart.

How About You?

How bad do you want spiritual power? And why? Do you hope to gain tranquility, superiority, or longevity? Or perhaps spiritual power equates to a kind of frosting on your spiritual cake. What’s your deepest heart desire?

Sixth, will you believe in heavenly spiritual power even without immediate results?

Mark 5:35,36 “While He was sill speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, ‘Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?’ But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.’”

When Christ rose from the earth after His resurrection, He told the disciples, “Stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

During that ten-day period of time between when Jesus left them and the Holy Spirit came with power, the disciples waited. That waiting must have been difficult. Why didn’t He just reach through the clouds as He rose up and grant them that power right then? Why the delay?

Power in the Waiting Room

Ten days may not seem like an endless space of time unless you’re just sitting around in a room, hour after hour, day after day, waiting for how long and for who knows what? Perhaps while they waited they considered their own unworthiness, that they didn’t really deserve any power from God. But we certainly don’t hear any demands from them. They didn’t say, “Lord, we did 1, 2, and 3, like You said. Now you have to give us your power this instant!”

During any waiting time, it’s good to ponder why you need His spiritual power. Is it only for your life? Or on behalf of the grave needs of others? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal an honest view of yourself and what He asks of you at this time.  Then, do it, with no regard for what it will cost or for what others think. And with an earnest heart keep trusting and believing, no matter what you think you do or don’t see.

STEPHEN BLY

Circa 1980s

Dead Battery Image by Andreluiz Cunha from Pixabay
Battery Power Low Image by Shrooomy from Pixabay
Battery Charging High Image by Shrooomy from Pixabay
Hand Reaching Out Image by lauwahyuen from Pixabay
Man in Waiting Room Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

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A Pastor’s Prayer for Power

“Father in heaven, I come before You just as I am. And I know it doesn’t come as a big shock, but I need Your power. You know I’m Your child and have accepted Jesus as my Savior. I love You. Lord. I have received Your Holy Spirit and tasted the goodness of Your many blessings and gifts. I have committed my life to Your service. And I’ve enjoyed Your working in my life. But in spite of all of that, I’m powerless.

I’ve agonized for months with a feuding couple and they’re still getting a divorce. I’ve counseled folks with a lot of resentment, and they stay bitter. Those upset remain angry. And the sensual continue to struggle with lust. The skeptic has not been converted yet. And the wounded haven’t started to forgive. The backslidden are still sliding. And the depressed stay down in the dark depths, no matter what I’ve said. The weak barely survive.

Lord, you’ve been with me in my study as I’ve poured over all the texts. You’ve excited my spirit and propelled me into the pulpit where I speak to the silence of half-empty pews. Father, I’m powerless.

How I Need You

I need Your power. This church needs Your power and so does this town where I serve. I want You to know I’ll pay the price. Even if it takes laboring eighty hours a week. Or putting away the writing–not one more article or book. I’m willing to get rid of our house by the lake. I’ll pay the price because I want it, Lord.

To do Your work, I need more spiritual power. I long to see dramatic, supernatural results in the lives of Your people. I can’t be satisfied with anything less. Just to see the presence of every husband whose wife faithfully attends here alone week by week. That more prodigals return and the unconverted come to know You. Let them all rejoice in Your presence. May seekers of all ages become excited about their faith. Shake the church walls with vibrations of singing praise to You.

Lord, I’ve shared my heart in public and I’m afraid. Have I exposed myself too deeply? Give those who hear and note my words mercy to accept, to believe in Your power, for I’ve seen it before. Again, Lord, bring it again. I thank You now for the great joy that will be ours when the power begins to flow. I pray this, Lord, not just for my life, but for the lives of all those others up close and at a distance around me. And may the glory all be Yours, in Jesus Name, Amen.”

STEPHEN BLY

Circa 1985

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FAITH ADVENTURE  “Turn on the Power” audio podcast by award-winning western author Stephen Bly. Sponsored by BlyBooks.com Legacy Series.  

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