I want you to know the Power and the Glory of God. He is so big, so powerful, no place on earth can contain Him. And yet, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, and she carried within her the very essence of God. What couldn't be contained by the whole of creation, was carried in the womb of a humble woman who submitted to the plans and purposes of God. Like Mary, we carry within us the majesty and splendour of God.
The dynamic power of prayer
Powerful prayer works! The original Greek of the Bible often uses a special word for power: dunamis – it signifies miraculous, wonder-working power. From it we get the words dynamo (which generates power), and dynamite (the explosive). If you want prayer to work, to change your circumstances, then it must generate power. Jesus never once in the four Gospels told His disciples to pray for the sick. He said, ‘HEAL the sick!’ (Luke 9&10). He was speaking with authority! Yes, in James 5:14 it says ‘the prayer of faith will save the sick’ – but this is in the church. There is a big difference between the call of the evangelist and ministry within the church.
The Power of Humility before the Lord
So many of God's promises are conditional upon our obedience. James 4, verses 6-8, are an encouragement to submit to God and be humble before Him. There is power in your obedience and humility. ‘God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.'
I've experienced the Power of God
How will you see miracles in your life and ministry? By faith in the name of Jesus. It is through power of the name of Jesus and the faith which comes through and from Him, that will work miracles. I've experienced the Power of God all my life; I was baptised in the Holy Spirit when I was 13, now 77 years later, the Power of the Holy Spirit is stronger in me now than it was back then.
The Gift of Perseverance
Perseverance: this is a major issue for us; our faith has to face a test. James is not talking about a gift of faith, but the very faith in God which is the foundation of our salvation; we are saved by faith. James is talking about the testing of the very essence of our salvation. This is the whole theme of this first chapter. The testing of our faith in the very promises of God.
Reconciliation and Transformation through Christ
God is your Father
God speaks through signs and wonders
We are all familiar with the story of Moses and the burning bush, but I want to look at the conversation between God and Moses. What most intrigues me about the passage found in Exodus 3&4, is that this appears to be a genuine conversation between the two of them. There is a fascinating description of the relationship between God and Moses found in Exodus 33.11, 'The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.' O that God would speak to us this same way!
Are you in a valley?
'The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures... Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me...' The 'valley of the shadow' is more literally translated as, where the light of the sun is cut off. I want to tell you: wherever you are, whatever your trial, no matter the problem - even if you feel the light of the sun is cut off - God will not fail you.
Exceedingly, abundantly, above what you ask!
Prayer is not just ‘fellowship with the Lord’. We are encouraged to ASK for what we need and desire. And Paul says, God is able to give you ABOVE what you can ask. Too many Christians are afraid to ask, I don’t know why. I have no hesitation in asking. If there is something I need, I know the Scripture, so I ask! And the Lord answers me!