Hebrews 3:10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
Let us begin with a true story. Recently, someone called me to find out if I could change the oil on a 2020 Lamborghini Urus. Without stopping to think about it carefully, I said yes, absolutely, and it was only afterward that I realized what I had gotten into because this was no ordinary vehicle.
But because God has taught us to think along “Yes” veins of thought, I spontaneously answered in the affirmative. This mode of thought stems from the study of certain passages of scripture which teach us that there is nothing impossible with God, and another says that all the promises of God in Christ Jesus are “Yes”.
Thus, I began to search for the relevant information on my program which delivers the most recent data on almost all vehicles sold in the United States. But lo and behold, Lamborghinis were nowhere to be found, since they are high-performance specialty vehicles.
This conundrum I found myself in seemed to be a call to prayer, for whenever the Christian is faced with challenges and difficulties, there goes another opportunity to seek out The God of the impossible. And so, I prayed and asked God for wisdom to deal with the situation, since the customer was pressing me to do the work.
The Lord then led me to research the matter on the internet to see if perchance, anyone had posted a video of how to perform the work, but it was like wandering in the wilderness for forty days, because not a single video could be found.
In fact, some of the information and the tidbits that were posted about the vehicle in question, actually contained stories of individuals who had taken their Lamborghini to the dealer for an oil change and who were hit with a pretty hefty price tag. Finally, I decided to call the dealer, since they would at least be able to give me some guidance on pricing.
But yet again I hit a brick wall, because the dealer never divulged any pertinent information, since, as far as they are concerned, owners of Lamborghinis should never ask how much an oil change costs. So, I had to pray again for wisdom, and this time The Lord led me to investigate what type of engine the Urus came with, if perchance I may be able to cross reference it.
And bingo, there it was, it carried a 671-horsepower dual turbo engine, which also comes in the Audi RS Q8, and which was referenced in my program as can be observed in the following information:
2020 Audi SQ8 Quattro V8-4.0L Turbo
Service Tables, TSBs, Diagrams, Parts and Labor, Maintenance, INFORMATION SYSTEMS & COMPONENTS, Accessories and Optional Equipment, ALL Diagnostic Trouble Codes, Body and Frame, Brakes and Traction Control, Cruise Control Engine, Cooling and Exhaust, Cooling System, engine, Exhaust System, etc.
Thus, armed with the information I needed, I went to the auto parts store that sells German parts, only to be told, after they searched diligently, that they do not sell any parts for Lamborghinis. So, The Lord put it in my mind to ask them if they sold parts for the Audi SQ8, and lo and behold they did, so I was finally able to get the parts I needed, which were the exact parts as the vehicle in question.
But the difficulties were not finished yet, because the actual work had to be done. And because it was a challenge, I saw the present situation as another call to prayer. Thus, I will just share with you a text message exchange with a good friend of mine, who I asked to pray for me as I worked.
Me: Hello ….! Pray for me! I’m working on a 2020 Lamborghini Urus. Reply: Bro what is your problem? That is presumption, no prayers for you! However, God directed my steps, the work was completed, the auto parts store is now selling the Lamborghini parts as a result, and the rest is history.
The Bible study this evening is not about my friend, nor is it about the Lamborghini, nor is it about the prayers that were made to God about the situation at hand; it’s about the parts store, that actually had in their inventory the parts for the Lamborghini but which they did not know that they had.
Like the parts store in question, many of us do have gold in our possession, yet, we may not know what we have. It is a solemn statement of fact, that the resources, gifts, and treasures given to us in Christ, and which are at our disposal, have in many cases, scarcely been tapped, and for this reason, many of us have come to accept as the norm, a relationship with God that is way below par.
The Gold that we have in our possession, and yet may not know that we have is power. Whatever is read in the Bible, such as the methods, principles, laws, and statutes are all a dead letter without the power to activate and put into practice. Knowledge without power becomes a vanity that may relish and drool for things that are essentially out of one’s reach.
For instance, if one is struggling with addictions, he or she may read the Bible from cover to cover about what should or should not be done. And there are a plethora of dos and don’ts to be found, but without power to activate the knowledge thus gleaned, the person will be relegated to wishful thinking.
This predicament is referenced by the apostle Paul, who struggled with latent tendencies that strove for the mastery. Let’s read:
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not but what I hate that I do.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
18 For to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Most of our youth who have gone astray actually know what is the right thing to do, because the seeds of truth have been already sown in their hearts, since they were young. The prodigal son did not need a Bible study on what to do in desperate times, for that knowledge he already had, and thus he knew his way back home.
What is needed in the case of the young and the restless, as well as the older, is the realization of the power that is available, and which has already been dispensed to every individual who has, or has had a relationship with God, for if persons do not know that they have power, they would not access it.
Therefore, as we examine the gold that is already in our possession, and which we may not have known we had, let’s endeavor by the grace of God to put it to use, in overcoming foes from within and without.
This power comes through the presence of The Holy Spirit, who brings all the energy, will, and resources needed for us to live victoriously. The power to deal with any, and every situation will be highlighted, so that we may be aware of what God has granted to us through the third Person of The God-head. Let’s read:
[1] The Power to live a Christian life.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
2nd Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Christians have been given power to stop bad habits dead in their tracks. Like Paul, some of us will often experience the gravitational pull of fallen human nature in our persons, but the power to stop desire from germinating into harbored thought and action is readily available at our fingertips.
The secular philosophy which teaches that in every situation, time must be allotted for persons to wean themselves off of this or that bad habit, is a virtual admission of a lack of awareness of the power that has been given to us through The Holy Ghost.
Even though there are situations where elapsed time might be necessary between addictions and victory, yet we should never believe that this is the only way to overcome.
The scripture teaches us unequivocally that power has been given to us in Jesus to pull the plug on bad habits, at short notice, as in today for tomorrow. This is absolutely possible if we access the “Gold” we may not know we have. Let’s read:
Matthew 5:30 And if thy right hand offends thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee.
2nd Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
[2] The power to witness to others.
No need to get cold feet when speaking to someone about Jesus, and no reason to be afraid, or nervous about the possibility of being rebuffed when we are witnessing. The presence of The Holy Ghost grants us power and boldness to speak forth the words of truth and soberness regardless of the consequences or outcomes.
Those preachers who might choose the easy path of least resistance, by using smooth words to palliate the sinner, when it’s fitting that a person be made aware of their danger, are not powerful preachers as they may seem to be. They may scream, shout, and perform a whole lot of antics, but at their core they are in most cases weak time-servers.
In fact, it is because of a virtual lack of Holy Ghost power, why some professed preachers often find it necessary to resort to the external manifestation of miracles, to make up for the shortfall in substantive teaching. A proliferation of miracles in any ministry that is devoid of those vital truths of the Bible, is a sign of weakness, not of power.
When persons are loaded with the power of The Holy Spirit, all of the antics, rebuffs, resistance from itching ears, and persecutions, are actually turned into incentives for witnessing, for, as Jesus Himself said of the gospel, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. Let’s read:
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Acts 24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
[3] The power over all diseases.
This one is huge, because not only does God desire that we should prosper and be in health, it is His will that His peculiar people should be depositaries, and dispensaries of great health and well-being across the entire globe. Especially is this the case now and into the future, where diseases and sicknesses of all sorts are scheduled to afflict the human family.
The good news of the gospel is all encompassing in its scope, and must of necessity include power to fend off most, if not all types of diseases in those who believe. Where human effort and research may fail, Holy-Ghost power is given to take up the slack according to God’s will, so that there is no need for persons to suffer unnecessarily, as if there is no God in heaven. Let’s read:
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.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
As was stated several times before on this forum, Covid has many brothers, and family members that would be emerging from the shadows from time to time, and sooner or later the increase of pestilences across the entire globe will cause science to run out of bullets.
This will then create dire need and will set the stage for what the prophetic word has declared will most certainly come to pass. Devils will literally take the stage in real time, to presumably combat the onset of diseases of all sorts, and because peoples’ backs will be against a wall, it would seem as the only and logical way to go. Let’s read:
[The Great controversy pp 624] As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Savior's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come.
In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation.
The shout of triumph rings out upon the air., “Christ has come! Christ has come!” He heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed.
For many years the remnant people of God have for all intents and purposes gotten accustomed to a system of health and well-being that is mostly man-made in its structure and purposes. The free use of drugs, instead of natural, God-ordained remedies have for the most part become a mainstay of our concepts and practice of health.
And the tendency to treat symptoms, instead of us going to the root cause of diseases has set the stage for drug dependence, without which, many of us are not able to live. But we have turned a corner, and our practice will need to be more aligned with our faith so that God’s will and not man’s will would rule the day, as it pertains to health and well-being.
God has given us “Gold” in the health message, in that the use and practice thereof will stave of many diseases and adverse conditions that afflict persons. Also, the natural remedies God has provided, would in many cases not produce the harmful side effects that are too often associated with the use of drugs.
God has put within the body mechanisms for it to heal itself in many cases, and even though nature’s workers might be a bit slower than over the counter drugs, yet the final products will be much more in harmony with God’s will for us.
God’s ideal diet of fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains, coupled together with faith, clean water, sunshine, regular exercise, restful sleep, fresh air, and a clear conscience would go much further in fostering great health, than most quick fixes that are sold in a drug store.
God’s power to heal is often coupled together with what He recommends, very much the same as when human doctors would prescribe their medicines, in conjunction with their expertise in healing the body. Let us therefore reach for the gold, that we may not know we have, so that we may, like the parts store in our testimony, be able to share it with the world.
In harmony with the presentation, we will end with a passage of scripture that should prompt us to duly consider our mitigation strategies moving forward, as we face the prospect of ongoing disease that will multiply in frequency and intensity. Let’s read:
Jeremiah 8:21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.
22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
God Bless!