There are 7+ billion people on planet earth; easily 5,000 distinct belief systems with Christianity being the largest. However, with hundreds of varying ‘expressions’ of Christianity, many in this number are Christian in name only. Jesus didn’t come to give us a religion. And many lack power. (2 Tim 3:5; Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 2:4; 1 Cor 4:20; Eph 3:20; 2 Pet 1:3)  

But to YOU God’s Word means something. To YOU, faith is not a noun – it’s a verb. It’s more than a ritual on Sunday, more than a to-do list and a ticket to heaven. To you it is life! And to those whose sins are forgiven and names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, God says:  

              “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, because it is GOD who                                                                                                works IN YOU to will and act with a plan to fulfill his good purpose.” Phil 2:12

After my heartfelt request for Jesus to forgive my sins and rescue me from the wrath of God, I was instructed to read the Bible beginning in John. I did so. And I continued reading, praying, asking questions, taking notes on what I read, etc – as it says in Philippians above… “working out.”

Someone said “The greatest miracle in the world is the calling, conditioning and commissioning of a disciple of Christ.” It was indeed miraculous the change that working out wrought in me! (2 Cor 5:17).

“And somewhere along my journey it became an internalized decided conviction that Jesus’ words were spoken not just for the disciples 2000 years ago but for all who would receive them – including me! He means what He says and His purpose for my life was grander than the mundane existence so prevalent among Christians with low-level expectations.” (p.29, “UNLEASHING Spiritual Ambition”)

At times, something in the Bible “jumps out” at me and jars my jughead. How exciting! So imagine the disciples when they went to church in Mark 1:21 and Jesus cast out a demon from a longtime member there! Again, picture them as they came back from a ‘field trip’ jubilant and saying “Lord, even the devils submit to us in your name.” (Lk 10:17) Visualize Peter in Acts 3 as Peter commanded and the man crippled from birth was healed immediately in Jesus’ name!  

Why don’t we see more of this today? The problem could be what Jesus experienced when he went to his hometown and was “unable to do many miracles there – because they didn’t believe.” Many Christians in America have “grown up” with Christianity, the religion – and missed the Christ. We’ve become comfortable, inoculated with a lesser strain;  Religion instead of an authentic relationship!

So what if someone wants a more powerful strain – the Person? What’s the remedy? Work out!

                    “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”

Nothing can replace knowing Him, which means time with Him! So instead of                                                                                                  taking in my favorite entertainment, or                                                                                                                                                                   taking in that extra 30 minutes of sleep, or                                                                                                                                                                        taking in my favorite meal or snack,                                                                                                                                                     I set it aside in order to “work out”  — spend time with Him. And here’s where the fun begins.                                                         It was so for the disciples as well! So if you are willing to work out, here’s the results you can expect…

spiritual intimacy – “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it’ll be done for you.”

fruitfulness – “I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

miracles – “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father…”

joy in prayers answered – “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete.”

adventure – “As you sent me into the world, I have sent you into the world…”

Powerful stuff! Did He mean it? Did He really mean it??

Jesus said these things – and more. These are found in just 3 chapters,  John 14-17 and the context is set as Jesus’ last will and testament! He meant business. Again in Matt 17:20 “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, be removed…and nothing shall be impossible to you.” and Matt 21:21 “If you have faith and do not doubt, then you can do what was done to the fig tree. And you can say to this mountain [and] it will be done.”

skye

For a copy of “Miracles I have Seen”, email me [email protected]