Rediscovering the Power of God in Our Generation
“The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him. By God's help, I aim to be that man.” D.L. Moody
Summon your might, O God. Display your power, O God, as you have in the past. (Psalm 68:28)
I believe that when God finds a person or a people as committed to the cause of Christ as the apostles and early church were, that that person or people will experience the power of God in the same measure that the apostles and early church did.
With that in mind, here are a few things to consider that I hope will encourage, challenge, and stir every heart that genuinely longs for revival in our generation.
1. Responsibility
For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48)
This is a basic biblical principle that surely applies to this subject.
Many today want the power of God without the responsibility that comes with it.
And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. (Luke 12:42-44)
Are you a faithful and wise steward of what God has entrusted to you?
2. Conduct
The gospel itself is incredibly powerful, and yet we are called to not only preach it but to live it.
Those who do both are those who will see and know its power.
Both are essential.
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
Do both your words and actions promote the gospel of Jesus Christ?
3. Persecution
The apostles and early church literally gave their lives for the cause of Christ.
Many of them suffered great persecution and were martyred.
This however did not in any way hinder the power of God from flowing through their lives.
In fact, it had the opposite effect.
It was their willingness to suffer that allowed the power of Christ to work through them so powerfully.
Why would it be any different today?
So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. (Acts 5:41)
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
How willing are you to suffer, if need be, for the sake of Christ?
4. Love
The supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit are not all that’s missing in the church today.
The fruit of the Spirit is missing as well.
Might there be a correlation?
Yes, indeed.
The Bible is clear that the fruit of the Spirit, and especially love, is more important than any miracle or work we might ever hope to perform.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Is the fruit of the Spirit in your life ripe or rotten?
5. Availability
God is Sovereign and often has appointed days and times to display His power.
Even so, it is biblical to pray and cry out for Him do the miraculous in us, through us, and among us. (See Acts 4:24-31)
How and when He answers is ultimately up to Him, however we know from scripture that He often searches for a person (or people) of faith through whom He can manifest His glory and demonstrate mercy.
And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. (Ezekiel 22:30)
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
Are you available for God to use as an agent of revival and change in the world and the church?
6. Zeal
The devil is on a rampage. Will the church sit idly by forever?
Where are the “David’s” of this generation?
Men and women of God, whose hearts are fully His, and therefore, despite their littleness in the eyes of man, find themselves simply unwilling and unable to sit back and do nothing while the enemy taunts and seeks to undermine and destroy the testimony of God in the earth.
Beloved, the battle is the LORD’s, and so we must fight!
This is what motivated David, and what must motivate us as well.
Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:32)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13)
Do you take it personal when the name and reputation of God is continually reproached by the enemy?
Conclusion
There is so much more that can be said on this subject but this is what the Lord gave me to share for now.
I do hope and pray that your heart is stirred and that you are eager for a move of God in your own life, family, church, and community.
Please pray for me along those lines as well.
God bless 🙏