Power For Us Who Believe
Do you ever feel like the whole world is against you? If you have not, well please be aware that many others have felt exactly that. Ever felt helpless? How about feeling powerless against the government, whether local or Federal? How about powerless against sickness and disease? Everything in life seems to be under the control of laws or rules. You, I and others seem to be “powerless” against this world machine we live in. You would like to just fly away into the heavens, but the law of gravity holds you down, and the atmosphere above the earth is cold and doesn’t have the life giving air mixture for you to breathe efficiently. It seems as if there is no escape. We see pain and suffering around the globe, while our leaders seem to not notice, but only hear and see through selfishness eyes, producing greed, avarice, and corruption.
Yet we live. Our gracious creator, Father, giver of life, has made everything here on earth, not only bearable but possible to live in victoriously!! You see, this physical world is what we make it (or what man has made it). God has made it so that we have victory over the world, “even our faith”. Our faith in Him, and His marvelous faith in us, His children; joint heirs with Jesus, gives us absolute dominion over our enemy and the world. That place is what Jesus spoke of in the gospels: The Kingdom of God. What is even more wondrous is, Jesus said: “the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21
Ephesians 1: 18-20 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (19) and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, (20) which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.
In my studies of workplace diversity, workplace environments, team building, managing diversity, and leadership, I have learned much about human behavior. However, one issue I feel that is of great importance is discovering how people respond to new ideas, new technology, organizational change, and new or different types of leadership, and then how to address their responses accordingly.
More importantly, is when “believers” receive revelation from God through the Holy Spirit from His Word. How do they respond? Is it the same or similar to how people respond in their places of work when confronted with change? Since the spirit of God has essentially been removed from the workplace, one can 'naturally' assume that the response is from the soul… the mind, will, and emotions. The actual percentages of response in the workplace are quite interesting.
They are:
20% will respond favorably
50% will take the 'wait and see' approach (pragmatic or skeptical)
30% will have a negative response (traditional)
However, in the Christian Church, one would like to believe that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ would welcome revelation. Not only welcome revelation, but also internalize and act accordingly. In most cases the latter is not realized. People listen but don't hear. They look but do not see. Their senses are dulled by the familiar; revelation is filtered by religious tradition; truth seems to bounce off or is repelled by belief systems based on feelings, not 'by faith'. Growth is actually retarded by the hindrance of sense knowledge or the 'flesh'. So, it could be safe to say that most church-goers would respond just like those in the workplace.
As you can see, 80% will have non-favorable responses. What is the cause?
Doubt and unbelief! Why? There is a prevalent refusal or unwillingness to renew the mind with the word of God. The spiritual eyes seemed to be blinded by the enemy. Their spiritual ears seem to be blocked so they can’t understand.
John 3:6 'That which is born of the flesh is flesh (senses), that which is born of the spirit is spirit.'
Jesus said, 'According to your faith (belief system) be it unto you.'
If your belief system is based in sense knowledge (flesh), you will have difficulty understanding spiritual truths. Most of us live in the sense knowledge realm. It takes effort to release the 'flesh' and welcome the Holy Spirit; we actually have to quiet our minds and become God-inside minded. You just can not contact God the Father with the senses/flesh. You can recognize the need for Him, but contact is made only through the spirit. He contacts you through the spirit. You may experience His answer in the senses, but you won't understand it unless revelation comes through the spirit. He makes it so that you will know that the answer came by His hand.
This is the place where you will begin to experience 'the power for us who believe.' Once you can tap into, OR once you establish 'that' spiritual relationship with Him, all things in the natural or physical world become fresh and new. Your perspective changes from being a victim to victor; you begin to experience a “glory to glory” life style. You begin to see through His eyes; love begins to dominate your life; selflessness replaces selfishness! What a wonderful place to be.
You will begin to understand: "That power is like the working of his mighty strength, (20) which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms."
In my studies of workplace diversity, workplace environments, team building, managing diversity, and leadership, I have learned much about human behavior. However, one issue I feel that is of great importance is discovering how people respond to new ideas, new technology, organizational change, and new or different types of leadership, and then how to address their responses accordingly.
More importantly, is when “believers” receive revelation from God through the Holy Spirit from His Word. How do they respond? Is it the same or similar to how people respond in their places of work when confronted with change? Since the spirit of God has essentially been removed from the workplace, one can 'naturally' assume that the response is from the soul… the mind, will, and emotions. The actual percentages of response in the workplace are quite interesting.
They are:
20% will respond favorably
50% will take the 'wait and see' approach (pragmatic or skeptical)
30% will have a negative response (traditional)
However, in the Christian Church, one would like to believe that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ would welcome revelation. Not only welcome revelation, but also internalize and act accordingly. In most cases the latter is not realized. People listen but don't hear. They look but do not see. Their senses are dulled by the familiar; revelation is filtered by religious tradition; truth seems to bounce off or is repelled by belief systems based on feelings, not 'by faith'. Growth is actually retarded by the hindrance of sense knowledge or the 'flesh'. So, it could be safe to say that most church-goers would respond just like those in the workplace.
As you can see, 80% will have non-favorable responses. What is the cause?
Doubt and unbelief! Why? There is a prevalent refusal or unwillingness to renew the mind with the word of God. The spiritual eyes seemed to be blinded by the enemy. Their spiritual ears seem to be blocked so they can’t understand.
John 3:6 'That which is born of the flesh is flesh (senses), that which is born of the spirit is spirit.'
Jesus said, 'According to your faith (belief system) be it unto you.'
If your belief system is based in sense knowledge (flesh), you will have difficulty understanding spiritual truths. Most of us live in the sense knowledge realm. It takes effort to release the 'flesh' and welcome the Holy Spirit; we actually have to quiet our minds and become God-inside minded. You just can not contact God the Father with the senses/flesh. You can recognize the need for Him, but contact is made only through the spirit. He contacts you through the spirit. You may experience His answer in the senses, but you won't understand it unless revelation comes through the spirit. He makes it so that you will know that the answer came by His hand.
This is the place where you will begin to experience 'the power for us who believe.' Once you can tap into, OR once you establish 'that' spiritual relationship with Him, all things in the natural or physical world become fresh and new. Your perspective changes from being a victim to victor; you begin to experience a “glory to glory” life style. You begin to see through His eyes; love begins to dominate your life; selflessness replaces selfishness! What a wonderful place to be.
You will begin to understand: "That power is like the working of his mighty strength, (20) which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms."
This is the place where you begin to understand that “It is God who is at work in you, to will and to work His good pleasure”. Philippians 2:13
This is the place where God the Father wants you to live, each and every day. I know that I want to live there. Let us tune in and find out what He has in store for us. It is nothing short of miraculous!!! Let's turn unbelief in to faith... let us ask for our spiritual ears to be opened and for our spiritual sight to see as He sees… Praise God, let's chose to believe God today!!!
This is the place where God the Father wants you to live, each and every day. I know that I want to live there. Let us tune in and find out what He has in store for us. It is nothing short of miraculous!!! Let's turn unbelief in to faith... let us ask for our spiritual ears to be opened and for our spiritual sight to see as He sees… Praise God, let's chose to believe God today!!!
Blessings;
Ben Qualls
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