The Power That Works In Us

My personal belief is that none of the uses of “power” regarding God or mankind are singular.  Before I get into details of what I have learned of “the power that works in us” I want to remind you that the power within can be considered pluralistically; and man has the will to choose whether or not they [the powers] are to be used according to God’s Will.  I believe use of the word “power” to be similar to the word FRUIT in Galatians 5:22-23 which is accepted by most scholars to be plural.

There are times when subjects I write about that I did not find what I thought of as adequate proof to submit on that particular subject.  In this scripture in verse 20 is one of those times. Thus, when I did not find any scriptural proof for such a claim that I make, I began a more in depth research project, and as I often do, I consulted my dear friend Dr. Paul Collins, who has a doctor's degree in theology.  He reminded me that the word power as used in the bible is all inclusive of God’s Power as he explained to me this way.  “The word ‘Power’ is all INCLUSIVE. REMEMBER: God is the Creator, He is total power ... and that is inclusive.  Any exercise of power outside of HIS will and purpose, is stolen ... which HE obviously has to allow or it wouldn't happen.”

I believe use of the word “power” to be all inclusive, as Dr. Collins explained, so it is to be similar to the word FRUIT in Galatians 5:22-23 which is accepted by most scholars to be plural.

I believe there is even more to be known of “the power that works in us”   From our use of these powers we all evolve, be it body, soul, or spirit, and it should be in balance as God Designed.  Could this be the reason for the ‘according to’ referenced in God’s word? Then to properly apply the powers within we must have faith.

Throughout history man has been blessed with growing knowledge of all aspects of our lives and our planet.  For many a generation before mine, man believed what we are born with is what we got and that was that.  For many years it has been said that man utilizes only about 10% of his brain capacity.  Today some believe it to be less than 10%.  Today’s reasoned and logical, and scientifically proven facts shine a light on the aforementioned mysteries of our mind.

Science is now proving our minds to be far more powerful than we ever imagined, as it has been uncovering more and more of the mysteries of the brain and the powers available for man.  For example, many have learned that we humans, through faith and the will to choose, have the ability to change our lives, and change from what now exists, to what we desire for our future.  Paul said in 2 Corenthians 4:17,18  “…look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen…..”   Utilizing God’s word, our faith, and the POWERS within us we can learn to call and receive things that are not as though they were.  This spiritual law allows us to change what we see today, what we have now, where we live, and our very lives.  And it becomes possible for each of us when we “will to choose” to change what we desire.  All of what we do and who we are begins in our brain with our will power to choose to use the powers that work in us.  Remember, if you don’t want it, don’t claim it.

Our lives emanate from the powers inherent in our brain.  In a previous article I wrote some about our brain operating on two levels, conscious and subconscious, but I had no idea science had progressed to revealing more of our brain’s abilities until I spotted an article “The Human Brain Can Control More Than You Ever Imagined Possible.”  It was written by Kristina Das, a leading lifestyle and health, journalist at India TV.   I felt more than a twinge of awesomeness as I read her article about science projects that have recent discoveries of man’s brain that show it to be far more powerful that we ever imagined.  Here are some things about our brain that I learned including things I believe.

Our brain runs at two levels; the conscious and the subconscious submitting to our needs and choices seemingly all at the same time.  And all subconscious actions are automatic, done without asking it.  There is definitely a mind body connection.

Our brain houses an astonishing power and capacity previously unknown to man.  In addition to controlling humans on both the conscious and subconscious level, it stores a lifetime of memories, regulates heartbeat and breathing, generates your emotions; it controls your health through your immune system and the shaping of your pain experience.  About the brain, Kristina Das wrote, “… one of the most complex objects in the known universe.”  About our belief system she wrote, “Believing that a treatment will work can trigger neurotransmitter release, hormone production, and an immune response, easing symptoms of pain, inflammatory diseases, and mood disorders. Your thoughts, in other words, have actual biological consequences on your immune function.”

One more jaw dropping bit of brain information from her article.  She explained the astonishing storage capacity of the brain this way. “Here is something that should genuinely shock you. Neurons combine so that each one helps with many memories at a time, exponentially increasing the brain’s memory storage capacity to something closer to around 2.5 petabytes, or a million gigabytes. For comparison, if your brain worked like a digital video recorder, 2.5 petabytes would be enough to hold three million hours of TV shows. You would have to leave the TV running continuously for more than 300 years to use up all that storage.”

Those of us who are seniors today probably grew up thinking that what we were born with, we had to live with.  Today science has shattered that concept. It’s appears the human brain is far more superior to anything known to man [even today’s AI] in all areas of creativity, consciousness, and complex planning.  Our brain was designed by our Creator to rewrite and reorganize itself constantly.  And when used as He designed it, it can lead us to and through a successful life.  Of course medical science still has a lot of questions about how our brain works, particularly in the area of health.

God’s word is full of advice to all of us on the powers that works in us, all emanating from our brain.  His instruction is in depth covering how, who, what, when, and where to use these powers. The phrase “according to the power that works in us…” really encompasses the powers that our creator instilled in each of us.   It is a powerfully awesome and fantastic truth of man’s potential abilities. This is another of many truths found in the bible that are often read but passed over by all too many people in world today.  The POWER written about in verse 20 is ALL INCLUSIVE of any or all the truths concerning mans powers found in the bible individually or combined.

Many abilities are available to man, whether Christian or not, simply because God created man that way.  Of course, He wants us to choose Him.  He gave us the free will to do so, and to use all those abilities available to each of us. Our obedience will glorify Him and lead us on our successful life’s journey.  One cannot glorify our Lord without becoming successful.

More specifically the part of verse 20 that I refer to reads   “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…”  Can this be a key to answered prayer?

I suggest that it is little known and scarcely understood that we each one, personally, have more to do with answered prayer than we want to admit.  Many people just want to ask and get.  And, sadly, even more disappointing is that many youngsters today are raised to believe that all they have to do is ask and get.

Most theologians will refer to this power that works in us, as being the “power of Holy Spirit.”  Yes, it is the Holy Spirit.  However, I have come to believe that it also includes not only the Holy Spirit, but more of man’s awesome inner abilities for personal growth; all just as God designed.

One very prominent power placed within us by our Creator is our Devine connection, our soul including our intellect, which is housed in our brain along with our will and our emotions.  Our soul has a direct connection to our spirit . There is a, body, spirit, soul connection and thus, for any who believe, a connection to the Holy Spirit.  When you can align your spirit with the Holy Spirit you will have ignited an utmost power within, as referred to in Ephesians 3:20.

Though I have not included here such proof, I believe our soul is the part of our brain that has a direct connection to our spiritual heart.  And I believe the spirit of man is often referred to as the heart of man and is connected to our mind just as God designed and is often referred to as the soul of man.  Our inner most cherished beliefs enter our mind as thoughts and are taken by our intellect, spoken, then kept or can be rejected.  In 1 Corinthians 2:11 God also says the spirit of man is in him and that the spirit of man “knows.”  So our spirit, also known as our heart, has a built in connection via our soul, to our brain.  This is where the knowing occurs.

 “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.”   1 Corinthians 2:11

Want a successful life?  Then you will want to include emphasis on your Devine connection, your soul.  Everything thought, every choice, every action can be filtered through your soul to align with God’s design for you.

To achieve a Devine connected, become a Christian and keep God’s word.  In keeping God’s word diligently, you will learn how to utilize the POWERS WITH IN to direct and change your life.  Our body, brain, our soul, our mind, our will, our emotions and our spirit all are essential in our life’s journey.   Our will to choose, to believe, and to act on our behalf in line with God’s design, are all gifts from God.  Being connected to the Holy Spirit you will find leading, guiding, inspiration, and safety on your life’s journey.  You can also power your success plans and goals with the fruit of the spirit setting your attitude.  When your attitude for each day, each goal is a product of the fruit of the spirit, your journey will be filled with spiritual power to succeed.

A very satisfying side effect of aligning your spirit with the Spirit of God. 

In closing; the vastness of this verse in all its meaning will be life changing to any who accept it, believe it, and act on it.  I found this for me to be an enormously huge gain in the wisdom of God, and mind challenging and more than awesome, to me, that God’s doing for us will be according to the power that works in us.  Now I understand how I personally play a major part in all answers to my prayers.

The lessons for me here appear to me to be that I should focus on what part I personally play in my own successful life’s journey, including answers to my personal prayers. I must have faith and learn to use the powers within while at the same time relying on God whose love and ability passes our knowledge.   BE AWARE:  This is not to say we cannot call on God in times of need.  You can renew your confidence in our Lord when you read 1 John 5:14-15. We can have confidence and passion in our prayers forth coming answers.  Here is His words: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Yes, I have learned it is true, God gave me the powers:  Including power to believe and to act. So, if it is going to be it is up to me.

Follow me next time as bring to you more of God’s Design for Man.