GOD’S POWER PLANT

“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout ages, world without end. Amen.” Eph. 3:20,21.

HE IS ABLE

We notice this sentence begins with “now” and ends, “without end, Amen.” It’s focus is upon the glory being now and forever “unto Him.” It is never unto us, but unto Him who is able - of the power. It is so important to our faith that we realize that all things are possible with our God. He can do and does whatever He wants to do.

DO WE KNOW, HE IS ABLE?

A child brought to Jesus by his father, had been made deaf and dumb by a foul spirit from the devil. The child had suffered for some time by the devil trying to destroy him, oftentimes casting him into the fire and the water. The father plead with Jesus, “If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.” Jesus said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” The child’s father then cried out, and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help mine unbelief.” Jesus then delivered the child and the devil’s work was again defeated. This was another proof that Jesus had come to destroy the works of the devil. But there are times when in our unbelief we put limitations in our “ASKING AND THINKING.” Jesus has made faith the key in realizing His ability, or experiencing God’s power. Mk. 9:14-27.

In Mt.9:27-30, we read of two blind men following Jesus, saying, thou son of David, have mercy on us. Jesus then said unto them, “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” They said unto him ‘YEA, LORD.’ Then touched He their eyes saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened. Jesus seemed to make their life a switch which must be turned on from the inside. He has placed His power at the disposal of our faith.

ACCORDING TO HIS POWER

The current, we think of in God’s power plant and its mighty dynamo, flows to do exceeding abundantly above all. That current is to “work in us” as conduit clear and controlled. It’s our privilege to be used as channels, vessels unto honor. He lives in us as unlikely power tools. I Cor. 1:26-29. With the Christ life treasure in these earthen vessels we are to always be aware that the excellency of the power is of God and not of us. II Cor. 4:7. We also need to be assured that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Phil. 4:13. Thus we are plugged in to the power source, and turned on, for the exceeding greatness of His power is to us-ward who believe. Eph. 1:19.

PETITION AND PERCEPTION

‘ASK’ - The Word of God that teaches us of His power, also instructs us to ask, and how to ask in faith. He also teaches us by his wonderful promises as to what to ask for. He teaches us to ask with a motive for His glory, and of course our good. We wisely come unto Him for the supply of our need, from His great provision. It is important that we ask of Him being more focused on his ability than occupied with our weakness.

‘THINK’ - It is so very important that we allow Him, by His Word to influence our thinking. How marvelous to trust Him to elevate our mind set, to perceive, understand, apprehend His good pleasure. His desire is always for our best. This is not a mater of mind over matter, and yet as a man thinketh in his heart so is he. We are wise to allow Him to place His thoughts in our hearts. Isa. 55:8-11.

As we listen to God’s Word with receptive hearts, faith arises in us to expect of Him according to His promise instead of our condition. Some of us when we hear His promises, do not allow those promises to penetrate our consciousness, enough to allow them to be applied to us personally. There are those that will think, oh, that’s a wonderful verse, but that doesn’t apply to my need. Thank God for other’s who will say, Oh yes, that promise is mine, I claim it by faith because the Lord gave it to me.

Psalms 40:16,17, “I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me.” Human logic is often allowed to hinder from taking hold of God’s provisions. Natural reasoning can get in the way of simply thinking according to God’s powerful Word. Most of us are inclined to expect more of what the doctor tells us than what God’s Word says. Even though we know they are making educated guesses. We seem to put more confidence in our symptoms than, “Thus saith the Lord.”

I visited a woman on her sick bed some years ago, after a short visit and prayer I read some wonderful comforting Scriptures. These words were given by our Father to encourage and strengthen faith. I felt led to ask her if those Scriptures said something to her? She answered, well, I have heard them before, my dad was a preacher. They didn’t seems to mean much to her. Thank God His word is still living and powerful to those who will believe.

by J. D.

Abiding And Confiding

—A. B. Simpson