Missionary Herbert Jackson told a personal story of a lesson he learned in ministry. We likewise need this reminder!
He said, “As a new missionary, I was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering the problem, I devised a plan. I went to the school near my home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push my car off. As I made my rounds, I would either park on a hill or leave the car running. I used this procedure for years.
“Ill health forced me to leave the mission field, and a new missionary came to that station. When I proudly began to explain my arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before my explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, ‘Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable.’ He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson’s astonishment, the engine roared to life.
For 2 years needless trouble had been routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept me from putting the power to work.”
Missionary Jackson declared, “When we make firm our connection with GOD, His life and power flow through us.”
Ephesians 1:18-19 reminds us of this supernatural power that is available to us. “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”
Then we are reminded in Ephesians 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
Acts 1:8 also reminds us of this power available to us: “But you shall receive power, when the HOLY SPIRIT has come upon you: And you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Just how do we appropriate this supernatural power in our lives? Ephesians 5:18 tells us: “Keep on being continuously filled with the HOLY SPIRIT.”
Let’s make it our daily goal to experience GOD’s power in our lives. It is available. It just needs to be appropriated!
Pastor Mike