The Price of God's Miracle-Working Power #4

As we approach the soon coming Rapture in these last days and as a Prophet of God, I have written this series to instruct us in what it takes to have God’s miracle – working power operating in our lives in a way that we have not seen before. The world needs to see Christ’s disciples lay hands on people and see them instantly changed and healed i.e. blind eyes opening, tumors disappearing, the lame to walk, deaf ears opening, the dumb to speak, people instantly delivered, etc. With all the turmoil that Satan is causing, God wants to show forth His glory and power though His people like never before. The fourth requirement is entitled:

Self-Denial- The word says in Luke 9:23 “if any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” The path that Jesus walked is a way of self-denial. If we desire “to come after Him” we must deny self. The word says in Mark 1:35 that Jesus rose up a great while before day and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. How many would like to do the works that He did but have little time for prayer? Sometimes prayer is a delight-a time of refreshing to the weary soul. But there are other times when prayer is like meeting the enemy face to face on the battleground. We have to fight for what is rightly ours, dragging it by force from our adversary, the devil. There are times when the answer may be slow in coming but we need to persevere like Daniel who waited three full weeks for an answer to prayer (Dan. 10:2).

God is also interested in our fasting and it isn’t only food that we need to fast at times: In Isaiah 58:6-7 the LORD says that the fast that He has chosen is to fast "self”: to get your mind off of self and on to somebody else: to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke…. Once when Jesus was weary and hungry, He sat down to rest by the well in Samaria, while His disciples went into the city to buy food. Yet He had the time and strength to lead a soul to salvation and to start a great revival which swept most of Samaria into the kingdom of God (see John 4). When Jesus was confronted with one of the greatest grief’s of His Human life-the sudden and violent death of His cousin and dear friend, John the Baptist-He thought to slip away alone for a little time. But the people observed His going and followed Him, even then. When He looked upon them, He was filled with compassion. He put aside His own grief, took up His cross, and went forth to heal their sick and minister to their needs (see Matthew 14:13, 14). On the night when Jesus was betrayed, He continued to minister, knowing that the false disciple who would betray Him sat among those to whom He ministered. He rose from the table to wash the feet of His disciples, demonstrating the thing which He had said before, The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

The world may not see or understand our cross, but each of us has our own God-appointed cross, whether we choose to bear it or not. It is not the unpleasant circumstances of life which would be ours whether or not we serve Him. It is that which we accept willingly-at personal sacrifice to others-in order to be obedient to God and bless others.

Self-denial will sometimes take you away from the company of those whom you enjoy. Even though they are good people and fellowship with them is great, if you want power with God, you must fellowship with Him. Fellowship with God’s people is wonderful and necessary for every Christian, especially those who are young in the Lord. But fellowship with God is more important. Truly our fellowship is with the Father (1 John 3:5).

Power does not come in a moment-it is the result of waiting upon the LORD. Self would like to hurry, but self must be denied again. Pentecost followed after ten days of waiting upon the LORD. Because Moses had not learned to wait upon the LORD to know His methods as well as His will, He had to wait forty years in exile before he was ready to do the work of deliverance that God wanted him to do. “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him” (Palm 37:7). Self is restless and impatient, always clamoring for action, attention, or gratification.

Will you come after Him? Will you do the works that He did? Then wait in His presence and let Him speak to your soul about the things of self which have not yet been denied. Let His life of self denial be your pattern. When you do these things, you will share in His miracle-working power.