Are you releasing God's Power in your life?

                     by Richard A. Cox Jr.   Author of I, We, Us: A Journey of Personal Growth and Development

     There is so much work that needs to be done to win souls for Jesus Christ.  God wants us to release the power He has given us to assist and help people in our churches, schools, and communities.  As Christians, we have something to offer others because God has given all of us different gifts and talents to share. 

      As Christians, we are empowered by the Holy Ghost, the Comforter that Jesus promised to give to us.  In Acts 1:8 (KJV) it says,” but ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”   It is encouraging realizing the Spirit of God is with us and works through us when we share our talents with others.

      After the disciples received the power of the Holy Ghost, they used their belief and faith in Jesus Christ to pray for the sick, cast out devils, etc.   God has given us that same power to help minister to others. We learn through fasting and praying how to release different dimensions of God’s power in our lives.

      One day Peter and John were going to the temple to prayer when they stopped at the gate of the temple that is called Beautiful. They saw a crippled beggar asking people for money. Peter told the beggar in Acts 3:6(KJV) “...silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give thee:  in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”.   Instead of giving the beggar money, they helped the man by releasing the power of healing for him to walk.  The healing of the crippled beggar was living proof of the power of Jesus. God wants to use us as his vessels on earth to minister to people.

      In 1 Peter 4:10 (KJV) it says, “as each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  God has given all of us a gift or gifts to use to up build the kingdom of God.  We must pray to God to discern how we can release the power that God has within us.  Releasing God’s power in our lives is a process that develops as we grow and mature in the gifts that God has given us.  If we want to experience the fullness of life we must allow God’s power to be released through us. 

    Each of us can release God’s power in practical ways in our lives by:

1. Working in the church using our natural gift and talents that we use on our jobs.
2. Looking for opportunities to volunteer and join groups that are helping people in any way.
3. Becoming involved in a mentoring or tutoring program that reaches out to young people.
4. Speaking to let people know you care and they are loved.
5. Having a positive presence permeates the peace and joy of the Lord.
6. Laying on of hands for the sick, a hearty handshake or a gently hug for encouragement and motivation to bless people.
7. Tangibly giving to people, whether it is food, clothing or an offering to bless and encourage others

      There are so many benefits we can receive by learning to release the power of God in our lives. By giving our gifts and talents, we can experience feelings of joy, satisfaction, fulfillment, contentment and blessing.  We should learn how to focus our attention on others rather than ourselves.  God has a way of resolving our problems as we are helping others with our gifts.

     If we chose not to release our gifts we will slowly find ourselves becoming unfocused, and visionless.  We will find that everything seems vague, not significant, and directionless in things pertaining to our lives. 

     Satan wants to entangle us and destroy us from fully using our talents for God.  Jesus spoke to Peter in Luke 22:31,32 (KJV) and said, “Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.”  Jesus prayed for Peter so he could operate in faith and use his gift again.

     In Luke 11:11-13 (NKJV) it shows how we need to find practical ways to minister to others. It says “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?  Or if he asks for a egg, will you offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know who to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give you the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”   We must learn to use practical applications of the Word of God that will have a spiritual impact on the lives of others.

     When you start the process of releasing the power of God in your life, you will need to build upon it for ministry, service and growth in your Christian character.  These are stepping-stones to developing Christian character and a blessed and productive life.

     Let us not leave our talents and gifts wrapped in a silver box.  Take them out and use them.  Admiring what God has just done for you is good, but it will soon be time to put your new level of functioning to use in the real world.

     The Spirit of God will talk control of your mind, body, mouth, entire being if you will allow it.  We must allow God to take control of our life.  It takes a release on our part to allow the miracles of God to flourish in our life.  You can have healing, prosperity, success, and wondrous miracles every moment of your life if you stand faithful in God’s divine power.  God cares so much for us that He gives us the authority to use the name of Jesus.  A miracle does not have to only consist of things such a blind eye restored, but a miracle can be a smile, a handshake, or a softly spoken “good morning! how are you?”

     We are vessels and God wants to pour His Spirit upon us filling us to overflowing with the greatness of His love.  Humble yourself before the Lord so that He can operate in you by His Holy Spirit.   There is power in the name of Jesus.  God has exalted Him and given Him a name that is above every name.  There is power in the name of Jesus and through it we can overcome all things.  It says in 1 John 4:4 (KJV) “ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

     In summary, you will find that the power of God comes from believing in Him, which enables us to overcome our shortcomings and our difficulties and brings release and victory into our lives.   We will receive results in our lives when we apply and practice the principles found in the Word of God.    In Mark 9:23 (KJV) “…. if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”  God is the one with the power and the ability.  Believing is the action that we need to provide for God’s power to be released in our lives.