OPERATE IN THE DIVINE PROVISIONS FOR ENERGY AND POWER!
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
This lesson is done in two parts.
IN GOD’S TIME, IN GOD’S WAY! The Fern and the Bamboo... Unknown
One day I wanted to quit.... I wanted to quit my job, I wanted to run from my relationship and my spiritual journey ... I just wanted to quit life.
Stop this world and let me off.
I went to the woods to have one last good talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern seeds and the bamboo seeds and the plants?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again,nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo".
He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.
In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.
He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.
But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five unseen years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?
I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don’t compare yourself to others."
He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come," God said to me. " You will rise high!"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you ...
Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you Happiness. Bad days give you Experiences.
Both are essential to life.
Keep going...
Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!
God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small
He can curl up inside your heart. Unknown
OPERATE IN THE DIVINE PROVISIONS FOR ENERGY AND POWER!
I. SICKLY OAKS FROM SICKLY ACORNS GROW.
Psalm 104:16 The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
A. A GOOD HEALTHY TREE MUST HAVE SAP FLOWING TO THE BRANCHES.
Roots grow deep in the soil.
Roots pull up the moisture and nourishment that the trees need.
B. Vitality is essential for effective Christian living. We cannot be Christians with mere words, we must give and do deeds that demonstrate love.
C. Somewhere we must TAP INTO THE SOURCE OF DIVINE SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT.
D. The root system of the tree allows for the flow of all the essentials for the tree to PRODUCE LEAVES AS WELL AS THE ENERGY THAT DEVELOPS THE FRUIT AND THE GROWTH AND THE THINGS THAT MUST HAPPEN INSIDE THE
TREE, THAT MAY NEVER BE SEEN BY THE HUMAN EYE.
E. We must operate a system that allows the flow of Divine energy that will enhance fruit production.
F. ALL THE MIGHTY OAK IS --- ??? --- A NUT THAT STOOD IT’S GROUND!
II. GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU IS TO GROW STRONG, BE FULL OF ENGERY, AND TO MOVE IN GREAT POWER!
A. ENERGY:
Liveliness of spirit, enthusiasm.
Dynamic quality.
The capacity of acting or being active.
Vigorous exertion of power.
The capacity for doing work.
Usable power.
B. POWER:
Force.
Legal or official authority.
Mental or moral might.
A source of providing energy.
C. WEAK:
Frail, fragile.
Lacking in strength or feebleness.
Not able to sustain or exert much weight, pressure, or strain.
Not able to resist external forces.
Mentally, spiritually, or intellectually deficient.
Not firmly decided.
Vacillating, up and down.
D. FAINT:
To be off balance.
To black out, pass out.
Lacking courage, weak, dizzy.
Oppressive, to lose courage or spirit.
To lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease of blood supply to the brain.
III. WHAT DOES GOD GIVE? WHAT DOES GOD NOT GIVE?
2 Tim. 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
A. God loves to give good gifts to HIS KIDS!
B. GOD’S POWER COMES FROM THE WORD --- DYNAMO
DYNAMICS --- IS THE BRANCH OF MECHANICS THAT IS ACTION AND MOTION.
God has given us a sense of boldness and a spirit of power.
Along with His impartation of power, God’s gift is a wonderful spirit of LOVE.
C. God’s power is liken unto DYNAMITE! Explosive, fire power. The power that God gives is not a timid, cowardly, weak attitude, but rather an INHERENT POWER.
Godly power has the ability to reproduce itself as needed.
God’s power that He gives is not a passive do nothing, but a gift to take action.
D. THE GIFT OF LOVE TAKES THREE FORMS:
EROS --- IMPULSIVE,eye.
PHILO --- BROTHERLY LOVE, friend, heart
AGAPE --- a Godly, giving love, total giving.
God is LOVE, and we measure our standard of hope based on HOW WE LOVE THE BRETHREN.
E. With this gift of power and love comes the gift of a sound mind. God wants his people to have hearts and heads of understanding and godly wise judgment.
IV. GOD WANTS US TO OPERATE IN POWER AND OVERCOME THE SPIRIT OF WEAKNESSES AND FAINTING! WHICH DOG ARE YOU FEEDING?
A. I went to my doctor, I complained of general tiredness and weakness.
He told me to walk every day.
I say: Doc, make me feel like walking and I will walk daily.
B. THE DOCTOR SAID: NO, IF YOU WILL WALK EVERY DAY ---
YOU WILL BEGIN TO FEEL MORE ENERGY AND WALK MORE.
WALK FIRST, ENERGY WILL COME?
I DIDN’T WANT TO HEAR THAT.
2 Cor. 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
C. Many years ago a young teen girl got on the church bus.
She explained to me: I feel like I have two dogs living in me?
One is a good dog, the other is a bad dog.
She went on to say: I feel like the bad dog beats up the good dog!
D. I thought for a minute and I answered:
Which ever dog you feed will always beat up the other dog. Feed the good dog, and he will win.
Feed the bad dog and he will always beat up the good dog.
WHICH DOG ARE YOU FEEDING?
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
E. LIFE HAS A WAY OF COOLING DOWN WHAT IS HOT?
DULLING WHAT IS SHARP? AND TIRING WHAT WAS STRONG.
2 Thes. 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
V. WHAT CAUSES TIRED, FAINTING SPIRITS?
MARTHA ALLOWED HER TIRED SPIRIT TO CAUSE HER TO MISS THE COMMUNION WITH GOD’S SON.
WHEN MARTHA TIRED OF HER WORK SHE LOST SIGHT OF WHO SHE WAS WORKING FOR? ALL SHE REMEMBERED WAS WHAT SHE WAS DOING, SHE FORGOT WHO SHE WAS DOING IT FOR?
A. MARTHA IS KNOWN AS THE WORRIED HOUSEKEEPER.
Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?
bid her therefore that she help me.
B. IT WAS GOOD THAT MARTHA SERVED.
It was very good that Martha served much.
C. Martha lost her JOY and seemed to TIRE in her service for the Master.
D. WE NEED PEOPLE TO SERVE AND KEEP THE SWEET TIME OF COMMUNION WITH OUR SAVIOR!
VI. WHAT IS MINISTRY? TO SEE A NEED, TO PRAY FOR GODLY GUIDANCE, AND TO ATTACK THE NEED TO BRING A SOLUTION.
WE NEED MINISTRY TO STRENGTHEN OTHERS.
Rev. 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
A. We can be very educated and prepared in deep and profound lessons, and totally miss the eternal lesson.
B. It is possible to walk with a spiritual veil over one’s face, and fail to notice
and thus neglect to move in the opportunities of spiritual priorities?
C. Where are our eternal priorities?
D. Have we a system of strengthening believers? Do we practice encouragement?
Are we pressing for a greater faithfulness to the church?
VII. GOD CAN CHANGE WEAK INDIVIDUALS TO STRONG BELIEVERS!
A. Jacob was a subplanter? A cheater?
B. After Jacob wrestled with an angel all night, God changed him from weak to strong!
Genesis 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
C. ISREAL WILL BE FOREVER CHANGED!
VIII. WILL WE FOCUS TIME AND ENERGY TO STRENGTHEN OURSELVES? OTHERS?
A. God is looking for a few good people to bring strength and power to the camp!
Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
B. GOD CALLS TO ALL TO SEE THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN TIRED ARMS AND WEAK KNEES!
Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
C. I would say this verse in my words:
DON’T BE LAZY DOING GOD’S WORK, APPLY ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND ENERGY TO WHOLLY SERVE THE LORD.
IX. GOOD GODLY WISDOM TRIES TO BUILD A SUPPORT TEAM AROUND THE MAN OF GOD. THE MAN OF GOD WILL GROW TIRED, WILL WE LIFT HIS HANDS AND PULL UP A ROCK?
A. The battle was long and hard.
B. Moses was not as young as he used to be.
Exodus 17:10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him,
and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the
going down of the sun.
C. HARD SPIRITUAL BATTLES TEND TO TIRE OUR HANDS QUICKLY.
D. THE BETTER THE FRUIT THE HARDER THE EFFORT IS TO GROW THE CHOICE FRUIT. We must not search out the easiest way, but the best way.
E. THE PERSON THAT NEEDS YOUR LOVE THE MOST,
PROBABLY DESERVES IT THE LEAST.
F. WILL YOU BE A LIFTER OF THE ARMS?
GOD NEEDS TEAM EFFORTS TO OVERCOME TIREDNESS!
G. Paul was a BASKET CASE AND SOME CARING CHRISTIAN HELD HIS ROPES!
X. HOW CAN I EFFECTIVELY BRING POWER AND ENERGY TO MY CHURCH?
Ephes. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
A. PRAYER, BIBLE STUDY AND DEVOTIONS GROW POWER AND ENERGY.
B. The long distance runner can never accomplish the distance race with out daily training and preparations for the race ahead.
C. THE DAILY TRAINING DISCIPLINES THE BODY WITH ENERGY TO RUN AND FINISH THE RACE.
D. Prayer and Bible study defeats HUMAN WEAKNESSES AND IGNORANCES and brings wisdom and answers.
E. WE DO NOT REALIZE THE POWER AND ENERGY AND PEACE THAT IS HIDDEN IN FAITHFULNESS TO DAILY BIBLE STUDY AND REAL PRAYER.
XI. TIREDNESS MAKES COWARDS OUT OF THE BEST SOLDIERS.
REMEMBER THE ENEMY ATTACKED GOD’S PEOPLE WHEN THEY WERE TIRED AND EXHAUSTED FROM THEIR JOURNEY?
A. The weak and the tired were lagging behind --- the stronger brothers left the weaker ones.
B. Why didn’t the stronger ones leave protection with the weaker ones?
PANIC WORKS WHEN GOD’S CHILDREN ARE TIRED AND WEAK.
Deut. 25:17 Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;
18 How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.
C. THE PASTOR OF ANY CHURCH ALWAYS HAS TROUBLE KEEPING THE GROUP KNIT TOGETHER FOR THE BEST OF THE WHOLE.
D. The strong have a tendency to run off and leave the weaker ones.
Deut. 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
E. WE MUST HELP THE WEAK TO BECOME STRONGER!
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
XII. WHY WOULD WE NOT STRENGTHEN OUR HANDS FOR BATTLE?
SURE YOU ARE TIRED? WHY NOT REFILL?
THERE ARE DIVINE PROVISIONS FOR ENERGY AND POWER?
A. SAUL WAS GOD’S MAN.
B. Saul had God’s plan, then Saul started playing spiritual games.
Saul was rebellious and disobedient and made a pretense all was OK?
C. In a stupid trick, Saul refused to allow his tired men to come to the Divine provisions before them.
1 Samuel 14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until
evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
1 Samuel 14:25 And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. 26 And when the people were come into the wood, behold,
the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
D. SAUL CURSED HIS OWN SON THAT WAS WINNING BATTLES?
1 Samuel 14:27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand,
and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
1 Samuel 14:29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little
of this honey.
30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater
slaughter among the Philistines?
XIII. COME, COME TO ME, ALL THAT HAVE GROWN TIRED FROM THEIR HEAVY LOADS OF BURDENS AND HEARTBREAKS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS.
A. Maybe we are tired and weak, but we have a DIVINE INVITATION!
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
B. GOD HAS NEVER FAINTED, AND WE CAN OPERATE IN HIS POWER AND ENERGY! God will provide!
Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is
weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men
shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount
up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
C. GOD’S PLANS EXCEED ANYTHING WE EVER PLANNED.
Ephes. 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Join my team, lift my arms? Pass this on to another?
