Many times, we are so ignorant of the things we ask God for that He intentionally refuses to grant our request, especially, when it's not time. The case of POWER or ANOINTING as in the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), is still very real but how many people can afford the cost of getting the power?
For some time now I've been meditating through the many experiences and challenges I've had on my journey to fulfilling my ministry and life's assignment, how much about our pain God knows yet shows you the future without pain and much glory, here on earth? It baffles me! This has led me to some of the findings that I'm about to share with someone who knows their life's assignment but are in doubt if truly God called them to it, because of the challenges they are faced with. The love of God is unfailing, the faithfulness of God never ceases, yet why would a loving God who has called you from nothing allow you go through the rigorous path of life in order to receive the promise.
Ever wondered why St Paul said, "That He wanted to know the sufferings of Jesus Christ" after he'd expressed his desire for power? Philippians 3:10.
I came to understand that Jesus being in the wilderness as led by the Holy Spirit to fast for forty days and forty nights, he did not return just by fasting and praying in the wilderness. The wilderness as a place is filled with ravenous beasts, wild and deadly animals, snakes and scorpions, even the master of in charge of darkness was there at the wilderness - SATAN.
Jesus had to face deadly beasts that threatened to take His life, Jesus had to face ravenous beasts that challenged his God, Jesus had to face snakes and scorpions in order to know how to deal with men in the outside world, Jesus had the face Satan in order to show that He was above him in all ramifications. Jesus faced all these while fasting and praying (without food), yet, endured it all, overcame them all and was endowed with power to face real life situations.
After asking God too many deafening questions about His presence with me in, He made me understand that Jesus went through the process, I will go through the process. Paul like other Apostles in the upper room went through the process, I will go through the process & you will go through the process. The deeper you go and endure, the more victorious you'll emerge.
You have a ministry to heal all manner of sicknesses and diseases and you think you'll be left with only a headache and not different sicknesses and diseases? When you scale through one, another beast comes, when you scale through that, another comes , then the power is released upon you to face real life's challenges with other people. Many think it's all in fasting and prayer, yes! Admittedly, there's a level of power that will be release upon you. The power we desire is in levels and it's totally on God to give you what you can handle for the purpose to which He called you.
Your ministry may be to make all men see the riches of Christ and you think you will not be faced with many trials and temptations that will make you focus on Jesus Christ and all that He did for you, so when you speak to all men, you speak from what you know for sure not what you know by head knowledge....Paul said, "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom" - 1 Corinthians 2:4. This is to say that there are people who only preach from what they know by head knowledge not by experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit which is the major force that causes a man's faith to stand in Christ alone.
Listen, if you think you'll just lie down on your bed and study three chapters of the bible to receive power, think again! If you think the healing power of God will fall upon you like a garment so you can heal all manner of sicknesses and diseases without you facing some of these wild beasts, think again! If you think the power to preach about wealth and making others wealthy will just come on you without you experiencing poverty, my friend, don't plan to rob people, think again! If you think the work of God is something you can launch out to on your own without empowerment through diverse trials and temptations, they lied to you because they went through the back door or possibly do not know the truth, my friend, don't give up in your pain, sorrow, sickness, affliction, diverse temptations, poverty, difficulties, challenges, etc. Just know that God never fails and hasn't called you to suffering and shame but glory and honor. It will surely end in praise.
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