Matthew 10:1
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them POWER over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
This is one of those scriptures, that when we read it we almost hear it like it is part of a fairy tale. Oh, we do believe in Jesus. We believe that the word of God is true, but somehow these so called "super-natural" occurrences just don't compute as real in our world. Well, let me ask you something. Just because we can't wrap our minds and brains around the fact that Jesus deals in and operates out of a place of power, doesn't negate the simple fact that such is true.
What's even more whacky is that He wants to fill us with His power and give us authority to live and operate in this world. We read the steps of A.A. and we acknowledge them, but when it comes to Step # 2 and the whole "POWER" concept, we seem to get lost. Maybe it's because we watched to much POWER RANGERS....or we think of Alabama POWER, when we try to understand. Maybe we think God acts like a POWER Drink, or a POWER bar.
Actually, according to Acts 1:8, Jesus told us that we would be "Clothed with power". Draped in.....covered with.....filled up.....with the Holy Spirit of God. This is the Power we have searched for in our quest to be free from sin/addiction. And all we have to do is receive Him.
In our journey to real freedom, we come to believe (rely on, trust it, cling to) that a Power greater than ourselves and our own ability can restore us to sanity, or right thinking in our decisions making.
The natural progression after coming to this place of believing in this Power, is to make the decision, based on God speaking to our hearts telling us that this is the better way, to turn our will and live over to His care. Turn them both over to the God of our understanding. I have always loved this part......God of my own understanding. That doesn't mean I get to construct my own version of God, or create a God that I want to........what it does mean is that I don't have to have a college degree or be able to dissect the Greek and Hebrew of Scripture, to come to Him for salvation and freedom from my sin/addiction. I just have to turn my will and life over to Him. When I finally reach this place of decision, the Power comes.....The Power is given......I am filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Now, school is in session. My days are filled with learning a new way to walk through this life. A new way of doing business in the world, so to speak. Believe you me, it is a learning process, but our teacher, the Holy Spirit, is patient and kind and all those other "fruits" of His that we read about in Galatians 5:22-25. At first, as we become acquainted with this new Power that lives in us, this new day doesn't seem natural. We feel uncomfortable with it and there is a strong desire to cut and run back to the old ways. Don't give into that thought or feeling. It will only kill you..........both spiritually and physically. Every time the anxiousness or the "not knowing" what is next leads you to want to cut and run....sit down and relax. Take out your Bible and turn to Matthew 11:28-30 and read this promise that Jesus has made to you.
A promise of rest...
A promise that what He is teaching you is easy to learn and is not a burden.
A promise that you can participate in real living, and not have to mask yourself with a false reality of using.
You can do this....
This is your time, and your day!
God on you....
mb
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