By Pastor Diane Carr
DEMONSTRATING THE SPIRIT AND HIS POWER
When I first came to Christ, in 1974 I had beliefs that I conceived in my own mind, that
serving Christ would be giving up the 10 best things you love and then doing the 10 worst
things you hated, then doing them. I know where that idea came from and it took some
time to break that stronghold of thought. It is said that we have conversations with
ourselves continuously, but who and what is directing our thoughts........the outcome is
either walking in His power or trying to walk in our own. I love the scriptures and when
reading them, the Holy Spirit illuminates certain things. Apostle Paul had a way with words
or at least the translators did. He said; "For I determine not to know anything among you,
save Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear, and in
much trembling, my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power : that your faith should not stand in
the wisdom of me, but in the power of God." I am sure he could have dazzled his audiences
and spoken in his own wisdom, but in fear of God he did not dare to do it. There is much
debate today and quite frankly I believe that he avoided that type of thing as he did not want
men to match wits with him, but for all to see that God's power was backing Him. True
wisdom spoken is backed by God's power and demonstration. It was a simple fact that Paul
was anointed and backed by God for what He was called to do. Paul was able to see by
God's eye, through all the stuff. He was spiritual and could judge all things, yet he himself is
judged by no man. The Holy Spirit is freely given to all who profess and desire to walk with
Christ. You couldn't do it without God's Holy Spirit. There are many ways that God's
power is demonstrated, we can only know it by our obedience and respect in God. What do
we want people to remember about us? That we have God or sounded and looked good! Is
our conversation after a specific act, Well I hope I did good? Or praise God, we did good!
Self worries about how we did, Spirit rejoices in what was done! All life's accomplishments
backed by God bring a heart of thanksgiving and praise in God. We are to see the big
picture, we step back after moving in God and have to ask ourselves, is it building my
kingdom, or is it building His.
In the following Scriptures in I Cor. 2, there seemed to be an argument of who was the
better preacher, Paul or Apollos, this revealed that this kind of thing is carnal and not of
maturity. Spiritual babies it reads. He taught that while he planted and Apollos watered, it
was God who gave the increase. Until all mature Christians understand this truth, God
probably will not do much as He is the one that makes all things work. Comparing and
choosing favorites will get us no where, it is considered carnal and immature. You see it
going on all over the place today. That's very sad, meanwhile God is moving and it is
through those who have nothing to lose. God will show Himself through the weakest of
men and women. We are to walk with God and trust that he gives us things to do and say.
Now just imagine if you know what you are called to do, and you submit yourself to God,
what can happen! It is not about how good you are, it's about how good God is and what
he will do through you. The smallest of service can bring the power of God to those who
are in tune with it. All of Heaven is given to Jesus Christ and he has given that to us. This
week figure out what your conversations have been with God. It is argumentative, or is in
praise and thanksgiving as He is the one who makes all things work. What a mighty God we
serve, really!
We Have the Mind of Christ..............
Build On the Foundation of Christ !
Father we want you to back up what we say and do. How will the world know that you are
with us? Because you back us up with your power and demonstration. It is to build your
kingdom and not our own. Our faith is to be represented by You. We can do all things
through Christ who strengthens us. So we submit to you this morning and let our
conversations be with you and not our own mindless unproductive thoughts. We overcome
by your Spirit and power, and that leaves many wondering today. We thank you for your
wisdom and Holy Spirit , we thank you for your love. Amen.
In Covenant Keeping,
Diane
• http://www.ourdailybreadmissions.org
serving Christ would be giving up the 10 best things you love and then doing the 10 worst
things you hated, then doing them. I know where that idea came from and it took some
time to break that stronghold of thought. It is said that we have conversations with
ourselves continuously, but who and what is directing our thoughts........the outcome is
either walking in His power or trying to walk in our own. I love the scriptures and when
reading them, the Holy Spirit illuminates certain things. Apostle Paul had a way with words
or at least the translators did. He said; "For I determine not to know anything among you,
save Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear, and in
much trembling, my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power : that your faith should not stand in
the wisdom of me, but in the power of God." I am sure he could have dazzled his audiences
and spoken in his own wisdom, but in fear of God he did not dare to do it. There is much
debate today and quite frankly I believe that he avoided that type of thing as he did not want
men to match wits with him, but for all to see that God's power was backing Him. True
wisdom spoken is backed by God's power and demonstration. It was a simple fact that Paul
was anointed and backed by God for what He was called to do. Paul was able to see by
God's eye, through all the stuff. He was spiritual and could judge all things, yet he himself is
judged by no man. The Holy Spirit is freely given to all who profess and desire to walk with
Christ. You couldn't do it without God's Holy Spirit. There are many ways that God's
power is demonstrated, we can only know it by our obedience and respect in God. What do
we want people to remember about us? That we have God or sounded and looked good! Is
our conversation after a specific act, Well I hope I did good? Or praise God, we did good!
Self worries about how we did, Spirit rejoices in what was done! All life's accomplishments
backed by God bring a heart of thanksgiving and praise in God. We are to see the big
picture, we step back after moving in God and have to ask ourselves, is it building my
kingdom, or is it building His.
In the following Scriptures in I Cor. 2, there seemed to be an argument of who was the
better preacher, Paul or Apollos, this revealed that this kind of thing is carnal and not of
maturity. Spiritual babies it reads. He taught that while he planted and Apollos watered, it
was God who gave the increase. Until all mature Christians understand this truth, God
probably will not do much as He is the one that makes all things work. Comparing and
choosing favorites will get us no where, it is considered carnal and immature. You see it
going on all over the place today. That's very sad, meanwhile God is moving and it is
through those who have nothing to lose. God will show Himself through the weakest of
men and women. We are to walk with God and trust that he gives us things to do and say.
Now just imagine if you know what you are called to do, and you submit yourself to God,
what can happen! It is not about how good you are, it's about how good God is and what
he will do through you. The smallest of service can bring the power of God to those who
are in tune with it. All of Heaven is given to Jesus Christ and he has given that to us. This
week figure out what your conversations have been with God. It is argumentative, or is in
praise and thanksgiving as He is the one who makes all things work. What a mighty God we
serve, really!
We Have the Mind of Christ..............
Build On the Foundation of Christ !
Father we want you to back up what we say and do. How will the world know that you are
with us? Because you back us up with your power and demonstration. It is to build your
kingdom and not our own. Our faith is to be represented by You. We can do all things
through Christ who strengthens us. So we submit to you this morning and let our
conversations be with you and not our own mindless unproductive thoughts. We overcome
by your Spirit and power, and that leaves many wondering today. We thank you for your
wisdom and Holy Spirit , we thank you for your love. Amen.
In Covenant Keeping,
Diane
• http://www.ourdailybreadmissions.org
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© Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2006