The True Power Equation

Reference: John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Observation: Could it be, simply, that the reason we do not have the supernatural power that Jesus had is because we are not connected to the Father like He was? It is interesting here to note that Jesus does not say that He only chooses to do what the Father does. He, in fact, says that He can only do what the Father does. It is very clear in the Greek wording that Jesus was making the statement that He did not have the "dunamis" the ability, not simply lack of authority, to do anything other than what He had already seen His Father doing.

How much do we try to accomplish with no regard for what God our Father is doing?

Certainly, with the best of intentions we are doing it "in His Name". However it is a real tragedy if He does not even want to see it done - at least not at the time a place that we have chosen.

Here is the simple equation for seeing powerful things happen; we get close enough to God to discover what He is doing and then, and only then, will we have the power to participate in it.

Application/Confession: It is my mission in life to do everything I can to use my gifts to advance the cause of the Kingdom of God. I work hard, maybe too hard, to see people won to Christ and discipled in Him. This verse challenges me to spend more time getting to know God intimately, understanding what He is up to and learning how to cooperate with it. It seems that this is the only way to true powerful supernatural ministry.

In the end, if my ministry does not have a supernatural edge to it, I don’t want to do it.

PRAYER: Lord, please forgive me for simply inviting you along on my agenda. I realize how unfruitful and unproductive that is. I ask You, instead, to help me to get to know You better, see what you are doing more clearly and know how I can simply participate.