Jesus in Covenant

There are so many scriptures that have been memorized and used for explicit purposes that we place that limitation on them whenever we read them and so pass over them. Spirit maturity always seeks for more and recognizes our limitation as a barrier that serves to urge us on to a deeper surrender and relationship. I was meditating on Paul's letter to Timothy as he sought to teach Timothy basic understanding of God's ways. "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a disciplined mind."

This verse has so much for us but I just want to touch on it and using just one word to show you what I mean when I say we place limitation on God's Word. God gives to us and to His Church "power". To me, this opens to my imagination the tremendous force exerted in the creation. Man's limited knowledge calls it "the big bang" and erroneously tribute the tremendous organization and detail of all creation as an "evolution". But they do recognize a tremendous force of power.

All through God's Word we see evidence of God's Power exerted in our realm. The flood that is still evident in archeological findings is one example. The parting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River, the deliverance from lions, firey furnace and enemy armies are other evidences. The power over nature that Jesus revealed as "normal reaction to faith" brings us closer to the realization of the power that God gives.

As I meditated on this, I saw something in the parable of Samson's life that is to be a teaching for us. We speak of the strength of Samson and often see pictures that depict a very strong man but He gave no physical evidence of the "strength" of the power that he was given. His enemies had no clue as to the source of his strength. The Scripture is very explicit in showing the anointing that came on Samson as the source of his power. Jesus walked out a life lived under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He constantly pointed to Himself as the Son of man. He took on the limitations of a man but lived filled with the Spirit of God anointing Him to see and hear the Father and to live so close to Him through the union of the Spirit that He could do what the Father was doing and speak what the Father was speaking.

Samson had the power when the anointing came on him. He did not live under that anointing but was available to do God's will when the anointing came on him. This seems to be where the Church of believers is today. Samson had the power but lacked the love and the disciplined mind that also comes from God. I see some who want the miracles but resist the love by keeping the control to judge and criticize and isolate others who do not share their opinions. The prayer of faith is the source of unity. We substitute natural closeness to create unity but that can only resullt in small cells of unity that depend on familiarity for the justification of "unity". The prayer of faith relies on God to perfect His will on this earth and keep us open to His Spirit to lead and teach us and give us His power, love and a disciplined mind.