The Holy Ghost The Power Of The Kingdom

Consider what the apostle said to the Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Grace, which is the power of the Holy Ghost influencing the heart, can now be reflected in His ministry.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Let’s just be honest here. How many of us can truly say that we take pleasure in our infirmities, or the things we suffer (allow), for Christ’s sake? Well, the truth is, until we are able to suffer these things, the Spirit or power of Christ will not rest upon us. Neither will it flow out of us as living water.

I have to say what the Spirit is saying right now. This is the reason we don’t see many people getting truly saved, just from the witnessing of the Gospel. There is no life in ministry that rebels against suffering and righteousness.

When we go after souls, we must challenge the powers of darkness. We live in the Kingdom, but if we do not walk in the Kingdom, the enemy will not see us as a threat to his kingdom.

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Again, ministry is the clash of two kingdoms. But when we wrestle with the powers of darkness without the anointing of the Holy Ghost working with us, we are workmen that are easily made ashamed. Can we change this doom and gloom for the Body of Christ? Yes we can. For every situation or dilemma, the Word has the answer.

PRAY

Prayer is the platform for ministry. It is fellowship, worship and communication with God. Without prayer we will have no power in our ministry.

If we are to manifest the true power of the Kingdom, we must do those things before us. The apostles were not hypocrites. Whatever they instructed the Church to do, were the things they themselves did.

Pray without ceasing. Thessalonians 5:17

We have long been convinced that prayer is communication with God. However, we have not seen the power of the Kingdom of God consistently flow through us as it did in the days of the early Church. But in writing this letter to the Church, I heard the Lord say,...

“In many instances you have prayed amiss, because you were unprepared to pray. You stood before me in presumption; thinking that I would answer, simply because you took the time to pray. You have forsaken to do all that I have commanded. Therefore, your prayers and fastings have not moved me.

You have not warned the unruly, as I instructed in my Word, (1 Thes.5:14); instead, you have tolerated them, and suffered them to breed confusion among my people.”

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

19 Quench not the Spirit.

• “You have suppressed the divine influence of the Holy Ghost.”

20 Despise not prophesyings.

• “You have despised the words of those who have spoken by divine inspiration, declaring my purpose for the sons of God. You have rejected reproof and the warnings I have sent to those who are wicked in their ways. I have told you to prepare for things to come, but you have not believed.”

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

• “You have not tried every spirit to know that it is of God. Instead, you have accepted the personage of the wicked.”

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

• “You have practiced evil in the midst of my people and corrupted their souls with wantonness and lusts.”

“Repent now, and put away this wickness, and you will be able to stand before me in prayer and supplications. It is in prayer that I will sanctify you, and anoint you with power over my enemies. But your unrighteousness has caused you to be an enemy of the Faith of Jesus Christ. Repent, and I will answer you with the glory of righteousness.”

The Church is called to preach the gospel and make disciples in every nation. There is no way this commission can be fulfilled without prayer and the communion of the Holy Ghost.

And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following (St. Mark 16:20).

Prayer is the revelation of your faith in God. It is also an expression of your humility towards Him. Prayer says you do not trust in the arm of flesh, but the arm of God in your ministry. The lack of prayer is arrogance and presumption. This is another reason we have seen only brief glimpses of the power of the Holy Ghost in the local Church.

When we walk in holiness and pray, the anointing for ministry is released in and on our personage. Holiness and prayer are the keys to walking in the power to destroy the works of satan in the lives of others. Out of our bellies will flow rivers of living water.

But this is the testimony of the true sons of God: “We can and will stop this madness. We will come out of this apathetic state of powerlessness. We will walk in the Spirit of God at any cost to our personage.”

Bless the Lord for His Mercy.