God wants To Empower You!

by Rev. Richard A. Kent
(Sullivan, IN USA)

Zechariah 4:6 "Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

These are the words that each and every Christian should stop and mediate on. Let these words begin to give new light in our spirit, where darkness may have been. May our communities, churches and leading officials understand the true meaning of these words.

May the few words in this article give revelation to a world crying out for hope, trying in all efforts to make real change, only to seemly spin in endless circles.

Have you ever wondered why God allows certain things to happen in our lives? Note that often these things we think of come from - “cause and effect” meaning if we ourselves put something into motion, it will finish its course. This is called consequence.

But what we are talking of here are the things that God himself puts into place. Naturally man is full of pride. Our flesh seeks to have what it wills. We pray prayers to the Father, not really understanding what it is we are really asking for. Prayers for such things as patience, long suffering and more fill our alters each service.

We pray to be more like Jesus, not fully understanding that in order for God to do just that we must endure much of the same things he did.

Most often man is humbled in their flesh because it is the only way God can get the glory. If we are not in a close relationship with God, it can be so very easy to get caught up in the race. We will find ourselves running to be the best, and the most productive for Jesus, all the time we were running in our own flesh, not understanding why things were not working out.

It is because God has declared it is not by our own might, or by any of man’s power, but the race is won solely by the spirit of the Lord.

It is the same spirit that can turn a hard heart full of sin, into a heart full of compassion, and loving kindness. The same spirit that can empower a person to live a holy life, and one who once led others to sin, can now led others to Christ. The spirit that can deliver a lost soul from the chains of drugs, alcohol, and depression, is the same spirit that promises to give wisdom to all that ask of it.

The empowering of the spirit of God can and will move mountains, that no man can move. We are changed from the inside and thus our actions begin to make positive effects for the kingdom.

The Word of God says in 2 Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

It means there is a freedom to realize that if we simply let the spirit of God move in our mist, and be ready and willing to obey when “he” speaks, God will clear the way and open all necessary doors. Often we need to simply step out of the way, and let God be God - amen!

Many would ask "how do I receive this empowering of the spirit of God?" First of course we must be willing to receive Christ into our heart and life. We must seek his face, and his righteousness. We must long for the deeper things of God, and be ready to set the things of this world to the side. Then say this simple yet powerful prayer.

Father in Heaven, I love you. I seek all you would have for my life. Touch me oh Lord, with the power to live a life worthy of Jesus’ name. Create in me a vessel that will honor you. Sanctify me and set me apart, deliver me from my enemies and place the fire of your words upon my lips. In Jesus name - Amen.