Ernest B. Bevers from Coraopolis, PA (a suburb of Pittsburgh), shared this true story entitled “Available Power”.
In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a new car that would not start without a push.
After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years.
Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, “Why, Dr, Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable.” He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch and, to Jackson’s astonishment, the engine roared to life.
For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting the power to work.
J. B. Phillips paraphrases Ephesians 1:19-20, “How tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God.” When we make our connection with God, His life and power flow through us.
Prayer is powerful! It can change things, events, and people. When we go to the Lord in prayer, all of heaven’s resources are available to us.
But how often do we try to make things happen in our own plans and in our own way and time? We think we have devised a good strategy to have access to the car’s power by pushing it along or parking it on a hill. But we have missed the fact that there is a loose cable somewhere. We are losing out on all the power that is available to us because we are trying to do too much in our own efforts and abilities. Jesus emphasizes to us that there are some things that can only happen due to divine intervention.
When Jesus and His three closest disciples (Peter, James, and John) returned from the Mount of Transfiguration in Mark 9, He found the rest of the disciples trying unsuccessfully to cast out a demon from a possessed son. When they couldn’t do it, Jesus stepped in and delivered and healed the boy. Soon the disciples came to Jesus with a question (v28-29): “After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer (and fasting).” We need to be connected every day to the power of prayer!
Long ago I learned a beautiful prayer: “Lord, please help me to do the best that I can do. And please help me to rely on your Holy Spirit to do what I cannot do.” I must be faithful to do what I can do but, thankfully, the Holy Spirit is available to me via prayer to do what I cannot do! Amen, Lord. Please make it happen!
This Sunday, February 12, we will conclude our series, “Welcome to the House”, with the glorious truth that we are called to be A House of Prayer. Mark 11:17 tells us Jesus described the Temple with a quote from Isaiah 56:7, ‘And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’?”’ Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am either in the building or online for the Live broadcast on Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday at 10:35am to both locations.
Ps Ron will continue his study of The Church at the 9:30am Adult Bible Class so start your day with Bible study.
After Sunday’s worship service, everyone is invited to stay for an “ono-licious” Lunch in the Fellowship Hall. (No need to bring anything for the meal; everything will be provided.) After the lunch, all members are invited and encouraged to stay for our Annual Meeting. Please don’t miss it!
Aloha ke Akua!