Most of us have access to pictures from birth to now. Take a little time and look back a decade or two or three… and be reminded of God’s faithfulness. He is a good, good Father. Birthdays, baptisms, graduations, travels, family, friends, highs, and lows… God is present.

As He walked the earth, Jesus wanted people of all ages to know the character and love of the Father. So many misrepresented God, but Jesus revealed Him perfectly by His words and actions. ‘Don’t you know? If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father…’ (see John 14)

Surely this is one of the most important missions of the Body of Christ: to reveal the Father. We can only truly do this through the Holy Spirit He has given us. The Spirit points us to Jesus; Jesus takes us to the Father. There is no rivalry or disunity in the Holy Trinity. Rather, there is perfect harmony and perfect love. The Father has placed us in the Son and has placed His Spirit in our hearts. “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus…” (I Corinthians 1:30)

May we offer ourselves to Him daily as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable because of the Blood of Jesus. This is our act of worship as we call others to follow the Good Shepherd… who helps us in our aging.

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” II Corinthians 1:21-22

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1

“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:32

Tongues of fire, signs and wonders, healings and miracles, convicted hearts, changed lives… these things took place as the promised Holy Spirit came in power. People turned from their sins and boldly declared the love of God and the majesty of Jesus. Believers sold their possessions and gave to those in need, totally trusting their God, the ‘Father of heavenly lights.’

We need for the same power to flow today… for the goodness of God to be realized, for the love of the Creator to be understood, and for salvation to be gained through faith in Jesus Christ. Our Father ‘is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.’ ‘He does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’ His power is for His children, and it is ‘the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead.’

Our all-wise Father sometimes reveals His power through a mysterious avenue, though. The Son of God embraced ‘weakness’ to fulfill His mission, and the apostles accepted the same cup. “He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him…” (II Corinthians 13:4)

‘Lord, won’t You remove this thorn from my flesh?’ Paul pleaded. “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’” (II Corinthians 12:9) How does ‘weakness’ fit with tongues of fire, signs and wonders, and healings and miracles?

No one walked more powerfully in the Spirit than Jesus of Nazareth, but despite His miraculous works, most rejected Him. Mankind was messed up… and it still is. Jesus knew that complete surrender to His Father is necessary, and that the Father chooses humility to reveal Himself. He chose Moses, the most humble man on earth, to deliver the children of Israel from slavery. A much mightier Deliverer has saved the world from sin… the ‘meek and lowly’ Jesus. He invites us to follow. ‘I have placed My power within you, but do not despise weakness. And remember: My Father’s ways are perfect.’

Jesus appeared to Saul of Tarsus and blinded him on the road to Damascus. Through a believer named Ananias, he was healed, filled with the Holy Spirit, baptized in water, and commissioned to be God’s messenger to the Gentiles. With a new name, Paul walked in the power of the Spirit and boldly proclaimed the Gospel. But he also embraced weakness, accepting his Savior’s path. Jesus is the Way…

“I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of the resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11

“I pray 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 His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms…” Ephesians 1:18-20

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27

Not long ago, I found the one weakness in a huge house not too far from where we live. It sits by itself a quarter of a mile off a main road and is quite beautiful. Inside, I counted five fireplaces, three huge rooms with domed ceilings, and thirteen potential bedrooms.

The problem is, the mansion is unfinished. I think construction may have started eight years ago and there has been no activity the past couple of years. I am no builder, but I’d guess the house could be ready for occupancy if a hard-working crew dedicated three solid weeks to paint, finish the floors, and complete the extravagant bathrooms and kitchen. It might cost a million dollars, but I’m sure millions have already been invested.

The backstory of this house is a mystery, but it reminds me of a teaching of Jesus: “Who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you.” Jesus was discussing the cost of discipleship: “And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple. Don’t begin until you count the cost.” (see Luke 14:27-29)

This instruction is not about salvation… which is a gift of God. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

We will never deserve the great salvation we’ve received, but if I want to be like Peter or Paul or Mary Magdalene, or Mary, the mother of Jesus, I need to calculate a bit. The volunteer who says, “I want to follow you Jesus, but first let me take care of this and that…” might be told: “You’re not ready to follow Me quite yet… you see, I’m the King and everything is on My terms…” (see Luke 9:57-62)

“But Lord,” I say, “I’m not sure I have what it takes. I do come empty-handed and I think I love You now more than ever, yet my faith sometimes falters. I want to be brave, but I’m sometimes fearful. Is there any hope?” I think Jesus would smile and answer: “Yes! Come to Me for what you don’t have. I’m the Author and Perfector of your faith. I know how to make you brave. You won’t be carrying your cross alone. I have given you the Holy Spirit! He is your Helper, your Comforter, and your Teacher. Take courage and follow Me.”

“If you love Me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.” John 14:15-17

Elisha was the loyal servant of Elijah, a prophet of God. Before Elijah was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot, he asked his student: “What can I do for you?” Elisha made a bold request: ”Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit.” Elijah said this was a difficult thing, but Elisha would know God’s answer according to what he was allowed to ‘see’ as Elijah’s life on earth ended. God said “yes” to Elisha’s extravagant prayer and II Kings records his fruitful life (see chapter 2 and following).

So how are we to pray these days? Is it possible to be both humble and bold? Of course it is! We need look no further than the One we follow. Jesus was “gentle and humble in heart” yet “powerful in word and deed.“ He taught with authority and brought honor to His Father by healing the sick and casting out demons and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Some may think that only His twelve apostles were given similar authority and power, but this is not so. Descriptions of two disciples tell us what is needed. Stephen was one of the seven chosen to serve the widows in the early Church. “They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 6:5) Barnabas, nicknamed ‘Son of Encouragement’, was quick to embrace Paul as a brother in Christ. “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” (Acts 11:24)

Has the world ever needed God any more than now? Storms, floods, wildfires, a worldwide pandemic, social unrest, political turmoil… Now is the time to pray boldly! Our world needs Jesus! Let’s pray for the double blessing of Stephen and Barnabas: they were both FULL OF FAITH and FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

God wants us to pray with persistence and determination. Again, Elisha is an example. On his last journey, three times Elijah told Elisha to stay put instead of following him. Three times Elisha gave the same reply: “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” (II Kings 2:2-6) If he had not persisted, Elisha would never have received a double portion.

Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow is meant for us: “Because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice… Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (see Luke 18:1-8)

“You will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God… Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion…” Isaiah 61:7

“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” Acts 6:8

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:11-13

Hello, my name is Lewis. Recently, during perilous times, I was rescued. Jesus would say I was born again… born of water and the Spirit. Because of Him: God has forgiven my sins; I’ve been set free from the plague of addiction; and I have experienced peace beyond understanding. God’s love has invaded my heart… the Holy Spirit lives in me.

Before Jesus completed His time on earth, He told His disciples it was better for Him to leave so that the Spirit could come. He promised His followers this Gift from His Father… the Helper, the Counselor, the One who would remind, teach, and empower.

The Bible says: “When you believed, you were marked in Christ with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.” We’ve been marked with the Holy Spirit!

Paul prayed that God would give His children the ”Spirit of wisdom and revelation that we might know Him better.” He gives power to those who believe. “That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.”

Jesus teaches us to pray for things that require God’s power. For example: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” So I am praying for those in darkness to see the Light. I am praying for the sick to regain their health. I am praying for the hungry to have food and the orphans to have homes. I am praying for the widows and the homeless and the addicts and the imprisoned.

But God also wants me to be involved in His work. Am I willing to tell others what Jesus has done for me? Am I willing to serve the sick, the orphans, the widows, and the poor? Will I visit or write letters to those in prison? Will I give my money to help those in need?

I used to always criticize the rich for not being generous enough or the government for not being helpful enough or my neighbor for not being thoughtful enough… but now Jesus tells me to quit judging others and start being a part of the solution. I am to pray without ceasing… and love others without limit. I am to rely on the Holy Spirit… knowing He now lives in me. I am to talk the talk of a child of God… and walk the walk of Jesus. He gives us power to live this way! “Lord, help us… and may the world be drawn to Your beauty and love.”

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” II Timothy 1:7

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13