Reflecting on the messages at the Power & Love conference in El Paso this past weekend, four of the topics that were significant to me are identity, intimacy, peace, and confidence.
Fundamentally, we have to see ourselves as adopted sons and daughters of God. We have been bought by the precious blood of Jesus, which secures our eternal salvation and allows us to be filled, baptized, and anointed with the Holy Spirit. We are beloved children, and we are worthy of His love because of who He made us, not because of anything that we have done. While we are worthy (worth the price that He paid), we are undeserving of His mercy and grace. We are not "sinners saved by grace"; we were sinners, but now we are saints.
As adopted sons and daughters of God, we need to focus principally on desiring intimacy with our Father. Jesus lived this out daily by spending time in "the secret place" with the Father in the mornings and evenings. Jesus did what He saw the Father doing, and He said what He heard the Father saying. Before we focus on doing, we need to focus on being. As a "type A" person, it is easy for me to slip into the religious check-list of reading your Bible, praying, fellowshipping, etc., which are very effective at promoting intimacy only if we approach those activities with a desire for intimacy. Otherwise we end up like Pharisees.
With respect to healing for ourselves and for others, we need to focus on the presence of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace ("sar shalom"), who is the Spirit of Peace, who destroys all chaos. We can simply invite Peace into us, and He will destroy the work of the enemy. Especially when ministering to children with mental or behavioral issues, it is important to treat them with gentleness and peace.
If we want confidence in demonstrating the power of God, then we need to step out in faith. If we want to grow in faith, then we need to take more steps of faith. Faith is spelled, "R-I-S-K". If we try to heal someone in the name of Jesus, but we don't see it happen immediately, then we need to press in to know Him more. We need to strive to live out the example that Jesus set for us of 100% healing, but the supernatural power and miracles are not the goal, simply an overflow of our intimacy with Him.
Heavenly Father, thank you for growing us and leading us. Thank you for continually stretching us. I want to know you more. I remember when I was in junior high saying that I wanted to live a life that convinced people of who Jesus is. I want to make good on that desire. I want your power and love to flow through me so abundantly that people around me experience your goodness. I don't want to try to give people a sales pitch for you, I want them to experience your love and power. Lord Jesus, thank you for being the Spirit of Peace that destroys chaos. Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence and power. I want to be a holy vessel of faith that you flow through. I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.
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