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I recommend you read the previous post before this one and watch the movie. 

I want to take some time to expand on us having the power to make a difference.  It’s kind of a cheesy line; I feel like a government sponsored ad for little kids when I say it but can’t change it now.

So Jesus made a difference, that we all know.  But He didn’t JUST make A difference.  He made the biggest difference.  Every evil thing that sin had brought into the world, He redeemed the world from.  Making it so that we no longer have to live with the pain and suffering sin causes.  He redeemed us from sickness; ALL SICKNESS (Isaiah 53).  He redeemed us from hell, death, eternal torment.  So I’m thinkin’ this Jesus character is a pretty solid guy. 

Now, since reading the last post no matter if it was a few minutes ago or a few days I’m sure the devil has said “Yes, being one man He changed the world, but He was God and you are not.  You can’t do anything.” 

Remind me to kick him in the face and karate chop his neck later.                             My wife, Jenny—->>>>   

Our dog–>>  devil is a pansy-><<–Me

We try to make kicking the devil’s butt a family affair.  Don’t worry we’ve got the ‘OK’ from the big man.

Back on track.

So the devil has said “Yes, being one man He changed the world, but He was God and you are not.  You can’t do anything.”  Yes, Jesus was God.  But He had no power to do anything.  Blasphemy?  No.  Check it.

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. -John 5:19

I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. -John 5:30

 Back, Back, Back. You stupid legalistic spirit.

It may not seem so but it’s hard to type ‘Jesus had no power.’  Even when I had a couple direct quotes from Him confirming it.

Bottom Line

Jesus had no power.  We have no power.  WHEN APART FROM THE FATHER.  But as Jesus demonstrated so well through the Father ALL things are possible.  If we eat, drink, sleep, and breath God.  We can walk in the same power that Jesus did.  In fact, we can have greater power than Jesus did.  

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  -John 14:12 

You CAN Make A Difference (Part 3) - God does not reveal Himself to the casual inquirer.  There is a price to be paid to receive this power.  Find out the price tomorrow. 

Hint: it’s not $5

Thanks to Humbled Follower for her post which helped me to write this Blog. 
Post your own revelations and questions in the forum @ MLR Forum.

Her Post: 

Something that I think we have all wrestled with at one time or another, is discerning HIS voice in certain situations.  How do you know that you are hearing HIM or answering the voice of your flesh?

For example recently I have been struggling with my job, there is no more joy or happyness in it, I actually have come to the point where I dread going.  You see, I am a chef at this time and absolutely put everything that I had into helping get this cafe’ started up and off to a running start with a friend of mine.  Now many things have changed there and my heart is heavy when it comes to the place. 

“…run to the throne instead of the phone…”

Now I know that seasons end, and we are to run to the throne instead of the phone when it comes to any issue in our life and that I have done.  Now I am really feeling the need to leave and move on to something else.  But I am not sure if it is my fleshly desire to leave or if the LORD is calling me out yet again into something new.  I trust HIM with all that I have and only desire to do  HIS will not mine.  If this is a test I will pass and walk in victory.  As I write this and ponder I hear that I need to take the step of faith and just do it.  Get out of the boat so to speak…He will carry me as long as the heart is pure and the trust is there.  He will provide as long as I do my part which is to…

My Reply:

i always thought the answer to this question was jump out of the boat or do what you can and God will do the rest or faith without works (or action) is dead so i need put action into everything. 

The problem comes when you don’t balance it out with the scriptures about patience, still small voice, waiting on God, God directing your paths, etc. Because i didn’t apply this balance, i began to strive.

Definition of Strive
1. to exert oneself vigorously; try hard
2. to make strenuous efforts toward any goal
3. to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete. 
4. to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance
5. to rival; vie

Striving doesn’t involve basic action; it is constant, strenuous effort as in a battle; struggling.  This is nothing like the picture of what God wants in our lives.  Striving requires fear, worry, pride, self glorification, even obsession or worship of the goal.  All these things we are warned about many times within the Word.

i’m sad to say ‘i am guilty.’

Our Lord wants dependence, prayer, worship. If we take all the burden and do all the work to achieve a goal, then we receive all the glory.  If we rely solely upon God and He does all the work, then He receives all the glory.

Consider two men who have both decided they would like to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the 1 mile race.

The first man trains 7 days a week. He runs long distances and sprints.  He drinks vitamin supplements or whey protein powder.  He eats exactly as he is supposed to. He reads about running whenever he is not running.  He fixes his form.  He buys expensive running shoes. He talks to athletes about running and gets all the advice he can. On the day of the race he believes he will win because he has trained the most.  He does.  After the race he says “I trained, I ate right, I pumped my body full of supplements, I researched, I bought the shoes, I worked, I, I, I… The man takes all the glory.

But what if there is a second man who says to God “i would like to win the gold medal(PRAYER).” God says “I will cause you to win the gold medal(PROMISE), only seek me and don’t train at all(COMMAND).” The man rejoices(PRAISE). The man does not train and only seeks God(OBIDIENCE). On the day of the race, he believes he will win because God has said so(FAITH).

The race starts, and everyone is running their hardest.  The first man is, as expected, in front and the second man is last by far.  But as the last lap begins a visible angel swoops down from Heaven, picks up the second man, and carries him across the finish line within a few seconds, giving him the victory and a new world record.  The man sees it, the other runners see it, the audience sees it, and everyone watching on tv sees it. The man says “It was all God!” And no one seriously believes the man had a thing to do with it. It’s even likely that revival would break out. The papers are covered with pictures of the angel carrying the man. It is documented on video tape and shown on news stations around the world.  Churches are filled, clubs are closed.  If i were the man i would even insist that the record books be changed to say that Jesus Christ held the world record. 

If a man does the work, a man gets the glory; if God does the work, God gets the glory.

But there were very specific keys to achieving this victory that the second man had to follow.  In order they are Prayer, Hearing God’s Promise, Hearing God’s Command, Praise, Obidience, and Faith.

Let’s take a look at a few Biblical stories.  First, the one you mentioned, Humble Follower. Peter walking on the water.

Matthew 14:24-33  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Although we tend to focus on Peter getting out of the boat all the above mentioned elements are contained within this event.
Prayer: Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
Hearing God’s Promise: So He said, “Come.”
Hearing God’s Command: So He said, “Come.”
Faith: And when Peter had come down out of the boat
Obidience: he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
Praise: Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” 

God did the work, God got the glory.

Moses when parting the red sea didn’t need to push to water apart really fast, just hold up his hand and rod.
David didn’t need to workout, just fling a rock.
Elijah didn’t need to burn rocks only call down fire from Heaven.

All these great miracles of God required total dependence upon God without any personal striving.  And these miracles are no greater than the ones He works everyday in our lives.

The are no great men of God; only men, of a great God.

Post your own revelations and questions in the forum @ MLR Forum