![]() “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) When the Lord informs us that we cannot do anything outside of him, it is not because he wants to take away our free will or our ability to make decisions on our own. Rather, we must understand that spiritual things cannot be accomplished unless we are rooted and grounded in him. There have been some who have attempted to go forth in the power and might of the Holy Spirit, without the grace of God, like the Jewish exorcists in the book of Acts who fled after attempting to cast out an evil spirit, “But the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?’ And the man in whom the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” (Acts 19:15-16, ESV) We are reminded, once again, that we need to “get rid of self and self’s power, then, and only then, are we strong.” It is when we submit ourselves to the grace of God that we are able to stand against the wiles of the enemy. “It goes before, accompanies, and follows. It excites, assists, works in us to will, and works with us that we may not will in vain. It averts temptations, stands by and aids us in temptations, supports us against the flesh, the world, and Satan; and in the conflict, it grants us to enjoy the victory. It raises up again those who are conquered and fallen, it establishes them, and endues them with new strength, and renders them more cautious. It begins, promotes, perfects, and consummates salvation.” This is why, when we pray for our marriage or relationship, the enemy recognizes who we are. This is why we can pray for a protective hedge around our children. This is why when we walk into our work place, the spirit of God accompanies us. This is why, when people say all manner of things against us, when everything seems to be falling apart, when we feel like “we are losing it,” we can say, “Peace be still,” and immediately have peace. Oh yes, without God we can do nothing, but we can do ALL things through him who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13, ESV) GiGi❤️ Excerpts taken from Charles Spurgeon - New Park Street Pulpit Volume 6
1 Comment
Minister Tim
6/20/2022 05:18:29 am
Thank you for the inspiration of this message
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