So many who claim to be Christians these days live non-transformed, powerless lives that do not differ much from those of non-Christians (2 Tim 3:5). Why is this? In Acts 1:8 we read that we will receive power when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. The apostle Peter wrote that in Christ, his power has given us: “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (KJV), access to all his promises and the power to change to be more like Christ (2 Peter 1:3-4).

It is God who works in us to do his will (Phil 2:13). We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13) and God will complete the work of transformation that he began in us (Phil 1:6) at salvation.

The answers to our question as to why so many Christians do not change and grow in their Christian walk is given in our passage above from the apostle Peter’s second epistle. The power to change, grow and receive comes from truly knowing Christ (the word) and his promises and receiving the Holy Spirit to saturate our lives (John 8:32; Acts 1:8).

We know Jesus by pressing into his word and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring us revelation (John 14:26). As we receive revelation of and faith in his word, then the power of God is released to bring change and to allow the word to work in our lives. However, we have to do our part and that is to give God and his word first place (time) in our lives and our days.  I can guarantee you that the results are wonderful. Cozy up to God in his word today and let him envelope you.

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In Genesis, the book of beginnings, we read that God spoke his word to bring about creation (Genesis 1). Think about this for a minute; it’s so easy to read and not get the full impact of God’s word in this account of creation. God spoke through the prophet Isaiah that his word does not return void but accomplishes his purpose (Isa 55:11). God also said to the prophet Jeremiah: “I will hasten my word to perform it” (Jer 1:12; KJV) Are we getting the picture? Gods word has power to achieve what it states it will.

The apostle Peter had been fishing all night and caught nothing (Luke 5:5-7). However, at Jesus command he lowered the fishing nets again and caught a huge number of fishes. A centurion in Luke 7:7 told Jesus to just: "say in a word, and my servant shall be healed”. The servant was healed. There is no doubt that God's word is very powerful

King David said that God had magnified his word above his name (Ps 138:2). God's word should be our delight according to Psalm 1:2 and if we meditate on the word we will flourish (Josh 1:8). Meditation is a re-speaking of the word; it is not just a mental activity.

We should give great respect and attention to the word and line up our thoughts and decisions with the word. Speak the word over your circumstances and watch things change for the better. For example, if you need healing, find scriptures on healing and speak them over your body, command your body to lineup with God’s word, claim that healing. Believe healing is yours and experience the power of God’s word.

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In Mark 10: 46 - 52 we have the wonderful story of Blind Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus sat by the road out of Jericho begging and heard that Jesus was passing by. He cried out to get the attention of Jesus and would not be quietened by the crowd. As soon as Jesus called him Bartimaeus threw off his outer garment (which symbolized that he was a beggar) and came to Jesus. When Jesus asked him what he wanted he immediately asked for his sight and he received it right away.

So, what do we learn from this story? Firstly, Bartimaeus was determined, he shouted in a loud voice to get the lord’s attention (the word for "shout" in the Greek used here can also mean "scream"). He was also persistent, no one could shut him up. He was determined not to let his miracle pass him by. Jesus, in asking Bartimaeus what he wanted, challenged the blind man to make a specific request: “Lord, that I might receive my sight” (v 51). Jesus commended the faith of Bartimaeus and acknowledged that it was his faith that made him well (v 52). What a wonderful miracle, Bartimaeus received his sight but was also liberated from begging and given a new start to his life!

Jesus is still saying to us today, "what do you want me to do for you"? Make a specific request in faith. Believe God for your miracle today. Jesus is no respecter of persons; he will respond to you just as he did to blind Bartimaeus.

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The word salvation contains the idea that God wants to prosper us. In the word we are told that the wealth of the wicked is saved up for the righteous (Prov 13:22), that’s us. God said he would meet all of our need according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). Did you catch that? God said according to his riches and glory not our limited idea of riches and glory. God wants to open the windows of heaven on us and pour out such a blessing we cannot contain it (Mal 3:10).

However, we are directed to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and then all these things will be added to us (Matt 6:33). In fact, in the bible we read that we often do not receive what we ask for because we ask with the wrong motivation; we ask for selfish reasons (James 4:3).

I think what the Lord is saying is that if we seek after him, his heart and to obey him, then he will exercise his highest desire to bless us as his children. We don’t come to him just to get. Focusing on just getting stuff will never satisfy us, only our relationship with Jesus will do that.

“Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness” (2 Cor 9:10; KJV). God wants to pour his blessings through us so that his work can be done on this earth and in the process, we will be blessed with all our needs met abundantly (John 10:10).

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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others. 

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31; KJV).  “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col 3:23).

It’s easy to separate our spiritual life from our daily activities but really if we are walking in the spirit the two are intertwined. We don’t have to be in church to be led by the spirit. According to these verses everything we do should be done as an offering to the Lord whether its washing dishes, closing a business deal or singing in the choir. On the job, we should go the extra mile, work with excellence and give no one reason to complain about our performance or attitude.

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12) As Christians we should be setting an example to the world in the workplace, with our families and in everything we do and say. If we approach our day to day tasks as something done for God it won’t go unnoticed.         

Finally, let Jesus speak to us as quoted by the apostle John: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Let’s commit to show the world God’s love and to bring glory and honor to God at all times and in all places.

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