In the Spirit's Power

In any given moment, whatever the circumstances, I want the Lord Jesus to know that I trust Him completely.  When I am at peace and my heart is thankful, I am saying to Him:  "I love You, Lord Jesus."  To walk blamelessly before Him has nothing to do with me, or my circumstances.  Always and forever it is about Jesus.  His blood cleanses me and makes me blameless, not something I do, neither some sacrifice on my part, nor some effort I make.  So, what exactly is my part in all of this?

Wrestling with this question, I am driven to Psalm 119.  With the Psalmist my heart cries out to God:  "Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes!"  Figuring out what that looks like should not be difficult!  Why then, so very often, do I get confused and miss the mark?  I try to do His work in the power of my flesh rather than that of the Holy Spirit!  That is why I fail, why my church fails, and why the global church fails.

In his letter to the believers in Ephesus Paul writes:  "Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father, and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."  (Ephesians 5:15-21 NASB)

Have you ever asked:  "What is God's will for my life?"  I Thessalonians 5:16-18 gives the answer!  "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."  Isn't the warning in verse 19 interesting?  "Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances."

Now I know what it looks like to do things in the power of the spirit.  In any given moment my heart will be full of joy, I will be connected to Jesus, and my lips will be able to pour out thanks, even when nothing seems to be going right!  What exactly will be going correctly?

My Lord will receive recognition and glory, and I will mean nothing because He means everything.  I so often get in the way!  People will know that Jesus is real, that He is active in touching lives and acting in history when they see men and women who in any given moment, regardless of circumstances, exhibit peace and a thankful heart.  As long as I allow the Holy Spirit to fill me with joy, stay connected to Jesus through prayer, and remain thankful, He can use me to change my world.

My eternal Lord Jesus is extraordinary.  His love is perfect, and in His love there is no fear.  I can do extraordinary things when I allow Him to do them through me.  When I follow Him, and allow the Holy Spirit to control me, I will not seek to live conservatively or safely, but to courageously share His truth and love.

Lord Jesus!  Let the eyes of my heart be enlightened, so that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in me, and what is the surpassing greatness of Your power toward me, because I believe in You! This is in accordance with the working of the strength of Your might, Father, which You brought about in Christ, when You raised Him from the dead and seated Him at Your right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come!  This is my prayer.