Good day
In the previous message we looked at the question, "Is God still able?" and mentioned how someone in authority has the power and ability to affect change, and how we can have faith in God's ability because He still has authority!
In the following passages we see accounts where power was released and how Jesus attributes this to the faith or expectation of the individuals - but one other thing that I'd like to point out here is that when Jesus was present - there was power!
Luke 5:17-18, 20-26
Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him....When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? but that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”
Luke 6:17-19
And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
Luke 8:43-48
Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
We can see here that when Jesus was present, there was power! There were miracles! He was well able to meet the needs of people!
(and as I mentioned in the previous message, Jesus hasn't lost any of His authority and power. See Matthew 28:18, Colossians 2:9-10, Ephesians 1:19-22, Colossians 1:13-20)
Not only that, this same Jesus isn't lost, He isn't in hiding, He hasn't retired, He isn't asleep - No! He's still with us - Today! He's still able - Today! He's still willing - Today!
Matthew 18:20
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Matthew 28:20
"Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age."
Not only is He (God) with us but He will never forsake us!
Hebrews 13:5-6
... For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
To forsake another person is to leave them entirely, usually in a moment of need. Forsake may mean simply giving something up, such as a way of life or a homeland, for something better or more appropriate. But it is often a mean word, suggesting leaving something or someone behind when they need you to stay. Synonyms include: abandon, desert, leave, quit, depart from, leave behind, leave high and dry, turn one's back on, cast aside, give up, reject, disown.
God Himself says He will never do any of the above! (provided we choose to stay connected to Him)
So we see that the One who has all authority and power is still present with us today. Not only that - The bible says in Hebrews 13:8 that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Meaning that if He could heal, deliver and set free 2000 years ago, then He is still able to do so today! - and even more than that - If He was willing to do so back then, then He's still willing to do so today!
The same Jesus that had authority and power over demons and unclean spirits; over all kinds of sickness and disease (Matthew 8:16-17 and Matthew 4:23-24); over the natural surroundings (Luke 8:22-25 and Matthew 21:18-21); who could multiply resources (Matthew 14:13-21), who could supply a great harvest (Luke 5:1-11); who could raise the dead (Luke 8:40-56, Luke 7:11-17, John 11:1-44) and many more miracles ... is the same Jesus that is with us - Always! ... and He is the same, yesterday, today and forever - meaning that whatever He did back then, He is still well able and willing to do for us today!
What is our response to this truth? ... "I choose to believe it"
... I choose to believe in Him. He said He will never leave me nor forsake me so I believe that He is with me at all times, in all situations. That I'm never alone. That I'm never forsaken. I choose to believe that He is with me even when it doesn't physically feel like it. I choose to follow His outlook/perspective on things. I trust His word over any other. I choose to believe that He is all powerful and has the final authority on any matter ... Because I believe that He is with me, I can have faith to know that in Him all things are possible ... I choose to believe!
Amen