THE POWER OF CHRIST IN OUR LIVES 22 MAR 2015

When Christ broke the bread of communion with his disciples was it white, brown or black? That we don’t know, but we know it was broken. That bread symbolized his body—but what is the body of Christ today?—it is you & I. And it is not relevant whether it be white, brown or black, but it is very critical that it be broken. What did Christ’s broken body do for you? What does the believer’s broken spirit do for Christ? The Word teaches that a broken spirit is the sacrifice that God is looking for.(1) Paul says he is walking in the meekness & gentleness of Christ…and then Paul’s next few words explode: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…”(2) Having a broken humble spirit towards God does not mean that the Christian has no power, it means the opposite. It means that he can now receive power from the true source, and he can begin pulling down evil strongholds. We break bread at communion, and that communion of saints in turn provides us the power of Christ in our midst.(3)

OUR VALUE. It is quite remarkable how much value Christ placed in mankind. We often get skeptical of mankind’s value, but Christ devoted himself in non-stop service to humanity, in the end dying for humanity. We should all be inspired that he saw great value in humanity. Christ was too noble to value the things that can be measured by man’s instruments. He was not trying to have the largest salary or the highest balance in the bank. His faith, his love, his ideal values, & spiritual joy are all things that the scientist cannot put under the microscope. How can science gauge the true worth of such things? Nor is science able to see the worth of an individual like the Creator does. We should also allow ourselves to comprehend, like Christ did, the value of our fellow humans. Prayer can help us know the mind of God.

COMMUNION BY PRAYER. Christ used prayer as a means to line his will up to the Father’s will. By humility, holiness and prayer he was conscious of God’s presence…a communion with the divine Father. Christ had a childlike faith as a child who trusts her parents. He was constantly seeking new revelation; like a child, “Talk to me Daddy. Read to me Daddy.” Why are some of his followers afraid of what Christ constantly sought? Was Christ not our best example? A new revelation from Christ could be such an incredible blessing…something mankind needs in these dark times. Christ went up on a mountain a few times. He had to leave the masses. Have you noticed that mountain tops don’t have lots of people? If you want a mountain top experience be prepared to leave the crowds of people behind, for you will experience that mountain top with only a select few.

TEARING DOWN FORTRESSES. We know we are from God, and with God as the source of power, we can pull down Demonic strongholds. The Word says, “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.”(4) And here is a way that we can destroy that power of communion with God & his saints. “Shall the throne of iniquity which devises evil by law have fellowship with you?”(5) No wonder we are strongly warned “don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers”. Godly communion gives strength. The spirit of an ungodly group can likewise give them an evil strength.(6) And these non-Christian groups can have a seducing spirit.(7) We are warned in the Word that we can’t have fellowship with both demons and God’s saints. My friend, some people want to get the best of both kingdoms; God doesn’t permit dual citizenship. In fact, He would like our entire life: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” The materialistic self-centered ungodly person has little to live for except for what he can indulge in during this short life. All his indulgences reveal themselves to be vanity. He needs to recognize what IS really of value in life, but as a materialist he can’t see it. Some worldly people simply accept that life isn’t worth living & commit suicide. It is not that life does not have great value, it is that they have an ungodly value system that can’t see the treasures all around them. “Father, continue to protect us from the power of the evil one. Thank you for all the wonderful things You have given us. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.”

WHAT CAN I GIVE GOD?? King David wanted to give something of value to God. “I will not give unto the Lord of that which hath cost me nothing.”(8) Yes, we have something to give God—our lives…which really in essence are worthless without Christ anyway, but as materialistic self-centered people unable to see real value, we think they are worth everything. God allows these overvalued lives to get into an accident or sickness, so we will stop being so self-centered, and listen to Him.(9) Sometimes a funeral is the only time some worldly people stop their lives long enough to listen. At other times, it takes prison to get an individual to stop the rat race long enough to think & listen. Yet, merely giving God some quiet time can be blessing: “Be still, and know that I am God.”(10) “In quietness & confidence shall be your strength.”(11) If our true strength comes from the True Source (God), and being quiet with Him, gives Him a chance to communicate with us, no wonder “In quietness & confidence” we have strength! Three verses further it says, “Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you…”(12) Good thing He waits, because many of His people get so busy they forget Him. Getting quiet before God shows maturity, wisdom & faith. It shows that you have faith that, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.”(13)

These were the thoughts I received tonight & have passed on to you. May you continue to abide in His strength & wisdom my friend.
(1) PS 51:17 (2) 2 COR 10:1a,4 (3) MT 18:19-20 (4) 1 JN 5:19 (5) PS 94:20 (6) cf. ACTS 7:51 & other verses where groups gave rise to more evil (7) 1 TIM 4:1 (8) 2 SAM 24:24 (9) PS 119:67 (10) PS 46:10 (11) ISA 30:15b (12) ISA 30:18a (13) ISA 26:3