And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Acts 5:12-16
The disciples of Jesus performing the astonishing work by the power of God was as a result their walk with Jesus Christ. The things they could do, the impact they could give was all as a results of the power of God at work in their life. I believe the same should be happening in the life of every believer today. That power is very limited in today's Christianity.
The Lord showed me the secrets to power that the early Christians discovered.
FOLLOWING
Following is the first thing to having the power of God today.
The first thing Jesus had required of every disciple was to follow him. You cannot be like someone if you don't follow him closely. Anybody that became powerful followed God.
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matt.4:18-19
The reason for powerlessness in the church today is that we don't follow the man of power. We follow our own desires and selfish interest. We have problem following even men of God and how much more Jesus.
LOSING
Losing is the next thing to having the power of God today.
This principle is a key when it comes to having the great power of God today. That principle is what I personally call the principle of losing and gaining. Sometimes to gain something you must lose something first.
Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:28-30
Source
The reason why Paul who wasn't even among the disciples of Jesus could be used mightily was because of the principle of losing and gaining. He was willing to let go of the things he hold dear to.
Though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, Philippians 3:4-10
The things we must lose for God are those things that give us confidence in the flesh. Paul gave up his identity, privileges, what he was committed to doing against the church, what He taught was right.
We cannot access the power of God if we cannot lose confidence in the flesh and hold unto Jesus. Those things we see us a gain must be counted a loss for Christ sake and is only then we can tap into his great power.
Having
WAITING
Waiting is the next thing to having the power of God today.
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”Acts 1:4-5
The last thing to having the power of God is to wait. The word wait means to stay around. If we cannot stay around for God, He cannot not use us. The reason why the Apostles had so much power was because they waited patiently for God. Today powerless Christians abounds because of our inability to wait for God.
The reason why God wants us to wait on Him is so He can prepare and perfect us.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31
We have no time today and waiting is seen as a delay and that is why there are many immature christians today.
If we can follow God closely, let go of anything we hold dear to and wait, we will have the power of God in our lives.
Thanks for reading
it's @collinz from Ghana
Wonderful post! There is no doubt that men and women of God of this generation has come short of glory of God, that is why the miracles of those biblical days is near absent these days. I follow and upvote you.
@comrade, the miracles of those biblical days is near absent these days because we have ignored the old landmarks which the people of the old followed and saw God's power.
God's power is available to those whose heart are opened and prepared. It is with his obedient believers.
very true
Answer to your question: God's power is evident to everyone willing to see it. It resides with his loyal servants.
I love how you ended your comment "it resides with his loyal servants" thanks @jaff8
Resteemed upvoted
thank you @larryphang
Nice post! Waiting is the greatest virtue but sad enough it is the most difficult thing that even people who may have seemingly waited upon the Lord, could say of it, it wasn't fun. But waiting is great gain,for God seemingly delayed some of my prayers to Him that He may teach me patience and be gracious unto me.
I agree with you @perculiarmary waiting indeed is what make serving God difficult a times. But God is never too late as said by @mcsamm, thousand years is like a day in His eyes, He is timeless and not limited by time. We have time and we are limited by time and that's why it's difficult when we waiting on Him. It always pays when we wait for God.
Am with you brother, now christianity has returned into something else. People to the church not for salvation but for wonders and miracles .
@qhuesiwusu miracles per se is not bad, in fact it is what makes the bible real, if there is no manifestation of the power in the word it will only be like any other book. But we shouldn't focus too much on miracles but the one who gives power for miracles.
Letting go of things that are precious to us but not accepted by God, being the followers of God, living a life which portrays God's image within us and being patience are the only assurances for qualifying for the reception of God's power.
@collinz.
Wow! you have just summarized the whole post, thank you @emmanuelacheamp
People do not want to follow God closely, they just want to see instant miracles and that's is why they are easily swayed from the right path... Nice post.
exactly @drumstix, nowadays we live in a fast world where everyone wants anything fast, waiting for God though is difficult but it is rewardable in the end
The power of God is still available today.
Paul in the book of Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)has this to say:
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
There is no variableness with him. When we stop this white-wash Christianity, the power will fall. Please note that the power of God can only be possessed in righteousness. This post call for concern to all of us.
Lovely post bro @collinz indeed the power and believes of many Christians are very limited this days. The steps listed above will show the way to many Christians if they follow whole heatedly
One thing l hqve always know of God,even if Hes 4days late He's still right on time
Very very true @mcsamm, that's why our waiting on Him is never in vain
Thanks for sharing @collinz
You welcome @isaacgh
This is the true fact....the church today has lost it's sense of value. They tend to be less powerful due to some selfish reasons.
You have a point, thank you @seanmalex
Wow..... I love the part that talks about waiting on God
I'm glad you love this post, thanks @w4c, how are you please?
Love the last part "If we can follow God closely, let go of anything we hold dear to and wait, we will have the power of God in our lives."The best lively word for this morning...God bliss you @collinz
I'm glad you have enjoyed reading the message... thank you @odsam2
Its normal for things to change. Only the Word of God changes not. Just make sure you hold on to him.
Thank you bro
Today am ready to follow God so that i can possess the power of God...thanks for the message, this really touched me...nice post...
@samlexxy I'm glad you have been touched, glory be to God
EDucative
thank you @agyapong
When you ask where is the power of God?
I say all around you, everything you see is God, there is nothing that is not. Therefor, a change of heart can come just by looking for God, expecting to see, and then finding it. With each successive finding comes a renewed Faith that you will find it the next time, and a stronger ability to seek it in the worst of times. For truly seeing it in the worst of times is the most valuable, but I promise you God is there, the power of God is always ever present.
For me the, the waiting, if there is waiting, is to hear the God inspiration come to me before I act, and don't act without it, for go within or go with-out.
Thank you @klevn for your comment
Would you mind checking this recent post of mine
https://steemit.com/steemchurch/@peculiarmary/a-cruel-death-have-you-wondered-2a639a4089edf
Thanks for sharing Sir @collinz, God Bless you.(",)..
welcome @fherdz
I think that the obstacle humanity faced for a great deal of time was always the distancing and the misinterpretation of God.
Here is something to think about...
"God should be feared"
yet
"What you fear you get distanced from... or never close to"....
There are the 3 "F" Reactions to "Fear" also:
"Fight", "Flee", "Freeze"...
hmmm.... Maybe some of us distance ourselves after all...
@twindenis I love what you have shared, God is more interested in getting close to us so His power can be made manifest in our lives but in the life of many there is a a distance between them and God and until we get close we may never tap into His power
Good bless you for this post!!! the best for you!!!
bless you more @palenciaal