Greater Power | Day 13
Podcast Intro [00:00:00]:
Are you experiencing greater things in this season? We want to hear about it. Share your story at transformation at soulcitychurch.com.
Host [00:00:10]:
Welcome to the Greater Things daily devotional, where we're asking the question, God, what is the greater thing you want to do in me and through me? Wherever you are, quiet your soul and pray this ancient prayer with me. Come, Holy Spirit. This week, we're meditating on greater power and what that could look like in our lives. Today's devotional is out of Acts 10:38. It says, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with him. I remember 1 year I was on my way to meet up with some friends to celebrate my birthday when my car suddenly died in the middle of a busy intersection. The timing couldn't have been worse. My birthday plans were completely interrupted, to say the least.
Host [00:01:29]:
After trying to restart my car a couple of times, I finally hopped out of the car and began pushing it past the intersection myself. Not soon after, and to my surprise, a group of guys ran over to help me push my car. 1 of the guys in the group said, hop in and steer, We'll push. So for about 3 minutes, they pushed and I steered. Once the car was in a safe place, I thanked the guys and they went about their way. Without their unexpected help, what only took 3 minutes would have taken me triple the time. In that short interaction, their good deed mirrored Jesus', who has done in us what we could not do on our own. Acts 10:38 tells us God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with him.
Host [00:02:35]:
The essence of Jesus' ministry on Earth was doing good and bringing healing to those in need. Jesus intentionally saw those around him who were unseen and overlooked in society. He loved those who were considered unlovable. He embraced the outcasts. He fed the hungry and healed the sick. He preached good news to those who needed it most. And that is the model that Jesus left for his followers. But just like us today, even Jesus' first followers struggled to carry out his example.
Host [00:03:14]:
His disciple Peter gives us an example of what that looks like. See, earlier in Acts 10, the apostle Peter has a supernatural vision from God regarding the way that he should value and embrace people outside of his Jewish community. Through that experience, Peter was led to a Roman man named Cornelius who believed in God but didn't know Jesus. Peter went to Cornelius' home, shared the message of Jesus, prayed for Cornelius and his family to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and baptized them. It was in Cornelius's home that Peter shared that significant truth in Acts 10:38. Notice how the apostle Peter includes the distinction of Jesus being anointed with the Holy Spirit and power. And the next phrase is he went around doing good and healing all. I can't help but to picture that as Peter shared the loving news of Jesus with Cornelius and his family, at some point, he himself was reminded of how he witnessed Jesus transform and heal many people during his time on Earth.
Host [00:04:29]:
But what does that mean for us today? Well, it reminds us that the God that we're in relationship with isn't powerless, but powerful. He has all power in his hand. Jesus' earthly ministry, being anointed with the Holy Spirit, is a picture of that truth. There isn't any circumstance or challenge that is too great for our God. In a world where we are often bombarded with frightening news and situations outside of our control, it's important to remember the supremacy of Jesus. When we slow down, pray, and welcome him into our most extreme circumstances, our heaviest shame, darkest fears, our longest battles, we're inviting the one who is powerful enough to transform what seems unchangeable. If you're longing to experience greater things in your life, you'll have to be willing to expand your expectation of what Jesus is capable of in your life. If you want to see greater things, you'll have to believe that God is great enough to do them.
Host [00:05:45]:
But not only that. Would you be able to take it a step further to not only believe that God is capable of doing greater things in your life, but can you trust that he wants to do greater things in your life? Acts 1038 also tells us that Jesus went about doing good and healing all. That is a picture of the heart of God. God wants to do greater things in your life. He wants to bring healing to the areas of your life where it is needed. He wants you to experience true transformation in every dimension of your life. I don't know about you, but it can be hard for me to fully believe that that is true all the time. If you find yourself doubting the power of God, you're not alone.
Host [00:06:37]:
Fortunately, our God is not offended by our doubts, but you can actually confess it to him. You can welcome him to meet you in your doubts to show you his transforming power. Now I invite you to repeat this prayer after me. Come, holy spirit. I welcome your presence here. Jesus, in Acts 10:38, your word says, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy spirit and power and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with him. Father, I pause and welcome more of you. I slowly breathe in and breathe out to be fully present with you in this moment.
Host [00:07:45]:
I thank you for your power evident through Jesus. Thank you for reconciling me back to you through the life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. I say sorry for the moments that I do not believe that you are capable of doing greater things in my life. I'm sorry for the moments when I do not bring my doubts, disappointments, and frustrations to you. I ask for your help. I ask that you help me to expand my expectation of what is possible through your power. I pray that you would help me to believe that greater transformation is not only possible, but it is what you desire for my life. Help me to go throughout this day more aware of your love for me and how you are leading me.
Host [00:08:48]:
In Jesus' name. Amen.
