Acts 19:11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles.
As a whole 21st Century Christians are missing this in their everyday lives. Miracles were a common occurrence in the early church and many times miracles were happening anywhere, not just in church, because they knew there were the church. Jesus did not save a building. He came to save people so the presence of the Lord could live within us. When He lives in us, He will live through us, demonstrating His will and purpose for fallen humanity. I want you to know right now that YOU are chosen and destined to do great things in the kingdom of Father God. He saved you to save others, He healed you so you can heal others, He brought you through so you help bring others through and He freed you so you can free others. The catch is this, when we are not busy doing what He desires us to do, we begin to grow cold and complacent. Soon luke-warmness sets it and a critical spirit wraps its destructive grip around us and we are not praising like we once did, not praying like we once did, not witnessing like we once did and it begins a downward spiral. Father God wants us to live a supernatural lifestyle where miracles, signs and wonders are not uncommon but common. We serve a Father God who loves to do great things for and through His people. It wasn’t Paul but rather the power of God, the anointing of the Holy Spirit who was performing the usual miracles but God needs clean vessels to use. Vessels that are willing to sell out completely for the sake of the gospel, vessels that will say no to sin and yes to the will of God day by day. We are saved by the powerful blood of Jesus Christ but that same blood also has the power to help us say no to sin and to live lives that will allow the Holy Spirit to flow through us. Paul, who was Sau,l was transformed on the Road to Damascus but the power that transformed him also kept him as he yielded his will daily. I need to say this: we, as Christians, have a responsibility to live for Jesus daily and not just to be super Sunday saints. I love grace, I need grace, I preach grace but I also know that we have to learn to say no to sin and yes to His will daily. We can’t live impure, immoral lives and expect His anointing to dwell and work in our lives. Too many people are trying to live like the world, talk like the world, act like the world, be like the world all week and then transform into someone else on Sunday but the Kingdom of God does not operate that way. Yes, we need grace because we are human but we do not live a life of intentional sin. Lifestyle is what we are talking about, not missing the mark! When we were born again we began a new relationship with Father God and our hearts now want to please Him. It’s not about what I can or can’t do, it’s about I love Him so much because of what He did for me, I want to please Him. It’s not about rules and regulations it’s about RELATIONSHIP and I want to honor Him with my lifestyle. He loved me and proved His love for me and while I was a sinner, Jesus died for me. Before I ever made a mess He loved me despite my mess so I, in return, want to die (to myself) for Him. He died for us, may we die for Him. 2 Timothy 2: 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Let’s strive to keep our vessel clean, set apart and purge ourselves of ourselves. Back to Acts; 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. What an anointing Paul carried that even cloth, when it touched his skin, had enough power to cast out devils and heal people of their diseases. I remember reading how Smith Wigglesworth had stayed with a family for a few nights (sleeping in the master bedroom) and the husband was unsaved. He told the wife, when I leave don’t wash the sheets. That night when the husband laid down, he felt so convicted, it was like he was burning, till he got on his knees and gave his heart to Jesus. That is the anointing we need to walk under in these last days. Prayer Points: Father help me to rid myself of me; less of me and more of you. Let me decrease so you can increase. By the power of the Holy Spirit teach me to control my flesh and walk daily in the Spirit in Jesus Name!
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