The Power and the Presence

The Christian life is not meant to be an ordinary existence of just getting by; it’s meant to be extraordinary, Spirit-filled, and marked by the presence and power of God.

Do you know that the same wonder-working power Jesus demonstrated lives within you? You have the power to become an overcomer in EVERY AREA of your life … your health, your family, your finances, and any other challenging area you may be facing today.

From time to time, I hear from believers who can’t fully embrace the magnitude of this truth. Many even ask, “How could I possibly do the same kind of works that Jesus did?”

The answer is simple: You can do the impossible BECAUSE of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

Let me explain it this way …

Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, something amazing happened. The disciples who had walked with Him for more than three years had already seen tremendous miracles along the way: the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, lepers cleansed, and even Lazarus raised from the grave.

They had witnessed wonders beyond comprehension. Even so, after His resurrection, Jesus told them they were about to experience something even greater than anything they had yet seen.

Can you imagine their anticipation? They must have whispered among themselves, “What could possibly be greater than seeing water turned into wine or thousands fed from a boy’s lunch?” Yet they didn’t have long to wait before their answer came in full force.

The Day of Pentecost marked a dramatic turning point in history. What had been a small band of timid, fearful followers became a bold, unstoppable movement. The same disciples who had hidden in fear during Jesus’ trial now preached openly in the streets of Jerusalem with supernatural courage.

The same men who once doubted were now performing miracles in His name. The church was born in power … and ordinary men and women were transformed and enabled to change the world.

My friend, our Father’s supernatural power is available to you today because of your faith in Him. You don’t have to live in defeat, fear, or frustration. You don’t have to settle for a powerless Christianity. Just as God poured out His Spirit on Pentecost, He longs to fill your life with His presence and equip you with His power. He offers you a very special gift …

Wonder-working power through His Word and His Spirit!

With this power, you can stand against every attack of the enemy, overcome every obstacle, and walk in victory every day of your life. The Spirit that empowered Peter, James, John, and Paul is the Spirit that now lives in you. And when you fully grasp that truth, you will never see yourself or your circumstances the same way again.

Just as Jesus Himself was empowered by the Spirit and “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38), we are also called to live a supernatural life. The normal Christian life is not meant to be an ordinary existence of just living day to day; it’s meant to be extraordinary, Spirit-filled, and marked by the presence and power of God.

Jesus told His disciples, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21 NKJV). Think of that for a moment: The one God who sent His only Son into the world now sends you and me to represent Him.

And then Jesus made a staggering promise: “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12 NKJV). That means Jesus not only expected us to continue His ministry of compassion, healing, and deliverance, but He actually commissioned us to do so!

So, you can quit the struggle of trying to make a difference through your own efforts. Lean instead into this truth: You were crucified with Christ and raised with Him. The very power that worked through Jesus is now alive within you!

A Limitless Check

Perhaps you’ve heard the story about a homeless man begging on a street corner during the Great Depression. A wealthy man walked by and had compassion on the beggar. He pulled out his wallet and wrote the homeless man a check for $1,000. “Here you are,” he said, “there’s plenty of money in my account at the bank, and this will help you get some food and a place to stay.”

The next day, the wealthy man was walking by the same street corner and was shocked to see the man still begging for handouts from passersby. “Why didn’t you use the money I gave you yesterday to better your circumstances?” he asked incredulously.

“Oh, I knew the bank would never cash such a large check for someone like me,” the homeless man explained. “So I tore up your check and went back to asking people for their spare change.”

Friend, through the promises of His Word and the gift of the Holy Spirit, God has given you a limitless check, but it’s your responsibility to appropriate His power and cash the check. Don’t be content to live on spiritual crumbs when He calls you to a life of abundance and victory. Believe His Word and receive His power!

The apostle John reminds us, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). This means you have power to be an overcomer in every area of your life—your finances, your health, your family, and any other challenge you may be facing today. And you can boldly come against confusion, depression, fear, or any other attack the enemy sends against your peace of mind.

Unlock the Blessings

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit empowered the church for a great worldwide outreach to the nations. The believers were enabled to speak in languages they had never learned, a sign from God that He wanted to reach people from “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

This is the same vision we have for Inspiration Ministries—to be part of filling the earth “with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).

I am so thankful for your partnership in winning souls in more than 200 nations of the world. As we partner together, we see God’s presence and power still touching countless lives today.

Because your financial seeds are blessing others with the knowledge of the Gospel, we know that God will pour out His blessings in your life as well.

Your partner in reaching the lost,

David Cerullo