There is only one way that we can come into true Power and receive the ability to use it. Not only can we become a useful and productive part of society, but more important, we can be given the tools necessary to help others to tap into this same Power enabling them to do the same. There are various ways that this can be accomplished. The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is but one method that can be used. In 2 Samuel the 11th and 12th chapter you can read about how David committed murder and adultery, and then recognizing what he had done, repented and turned back to God with everything that He had. We, in our turn, sought the same escape with all the desperation of drowning men. What seemed at first a flimsy reed, has proved to be the loving and powerful hand of God. Pg 28 In coming to the conclusions of what he had done and the nature of his wrongs David then wrote Psalm 51.:
Psalm 51:1-19
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Psalm 51, the very essence of our 12 steps! Seeing our sins that we have sinned before God and admitting our transgressions. Repenting so that God will take away our iniquities and create in us a new heart. Then keeping this new heart by doing His will and bringing others that are without hope to Him by showing them what we have done to obtain His mercy and grace.
Although there are many methods by which we may become servants of God, the things that must be done are the same. Once we see our wickedness we must repent and come to understand and live according to His word regardless of the personal consequences. Only then will we be rewarded and given Power and peace. In this lesson we will take a look at exactly what is required to access this Power and maintain it.
Those of us who have taken the steps see our hopelessness blocked from God and this is where we begin to seek His Power.: Proverbs 14:12
12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.:Here are some of the methods we have tried: Drinking beer only, limiting the number of drinks, never drinking alone, never drinking in the morning, drinking only at home, never having it in the house, never drinking during business hours, drinking only at parties, switching from scotch to brandy, drinking only natural wines, agreeing to resign if ever drunk on the job, taking a trip, not taking a trip, swearing off forever (with and without a solemn oath), taking more physical exercise, reading inspirational books, going to health farms and sanitariums, accepting voluntary commitment to asylums - we could increase the list ad infinitum. Pg 31
We try everything that we can to get sober and stay sober and we can't. So when we do manage to get some sobriety we see the need to do the next right thing but find that we can't do this for long. We also see that we have tried everything that we can to come into some type of lasting peace and contentment but we can not!: Romans 7:18
18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. If a mere code of morals or a better philosophy of life were sufficient to overcome alcoholism, many of us would have recovered long ago. But we found that such codes and philosophies did not save us, no matter how much we tried. We could wish to be moral, we could wish to be philosophically comforted, in fact, we could will these things with all our might, but the needed power wasn't there. Our human resources, as marshalled by the will, were not sufficient; they failed utterly.
Lack of power, that was our dilemma. Pg 44-45 This is where I need to turn to our Creator and place myself under His care and direction.
2 Corinthians 1:9
9But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Perhaps there is a better way - we think so. For we are now on a different basis; the basis of trusting and relying upon God. We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves...Pg 68 Proverbs 3:5-8
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. So now it is through the method of the steps that the alcoholic or addict comes to begin to place their dependence upon God.
Just like David our first step is to repent.:
2 Peter 3:9
9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. God is patient and not willing that any of us should die. We should all have been punished long ago for our foolish ways but the Lord, in His infinite mercy, gives all of us room to repent and serve Him.: Isaiah 57:15
15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Let's look at the definition for contrite:
1. Feeling of regret and sorrow for one's sins or offenses; penitent.
2. Arising from or expressing contrition: contrite words. American heritage dictionary
Psalm 34:18
18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. It is when we are hurting the most, blocked from God, and we are willing to be honest and repent that the Lord begins to comfort us and open our eyes. He will presently try the old game again, for he isn't happy about his sobriety. He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end. Pg 152
Complete hopelessness brings us to that point.
Acts 26:20
20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. Once we repent and do the things required to allow God to take away the things that are blocking us from Him, we must begin to live according to His word. In Revelation chapter 2 and 3, which I will refer to as the promises of God, John is told the things that Jesus is saying to the churches And He is giving them promises if they endure until the end, or walk in His ways and repent when they fall short.
Revelation 3:19
19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Now when we make a decision we are asking God to take us and build with us as He sees fit. Many of us said to our Maker, as we understood Him: "God, I offer myself to Thee-to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!" Pg 63 Part of the process is for Him to correct us or chastise us when we begin to stray from what it is we really want to do, to begin to serve Him. Job 34:31-32
31Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: 32That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. It is good to accept Gods correction. As we start our fourth step and carry on with our daily activities we begin to see that some of our behaviour has been wrong. When we don't stop acting out in some of this behaviour we begin to be corrected in little ways. At first it seems to be a searing of our consciences, or a deep sense of regret for our actions. As we begin to understand what God would have us do and continue to kick against it, even in subtle ways that we don't realize, it appears that things that are out of the ordinary begin to happen. Little things that one might call coincidence.: Proverbs 3:11-12
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Whatever the chastisement might be when we get honest we begin to see that the Lord is correcting us because he loves us and wants us to serve Him. We must stop doing the things that we know are not pleasing to Him.: Job 5:17-18 17Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 18For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. Be happy because God is taking the time and having the patience to correct us when we inadvertently make a mistake. If God wanted to He could just put our lights out! By His chastisement He bruises our ego and false pride when we get to puffed up and then after He wounds us or spanks us He lifts us up and heals us with peace and serenity.: Hebrews 12:5-11
5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? As we continue to grow spiritually we begin to recognize the corrections of our God and we begin to respond to them. 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. But if we kick against Gods corrections and continue in our actions we will not be treated as His children and come to know the fruits of peace and joy. 9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? If we have come to be corrected by our natural fathers, Isn't our God much more deserving of our obedience? 10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Our natural fathers disciplined us because we were doing things that they didn't like, but God does it for our own good so we might become like Him. 11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. As we are being corrected it is not pleasant but uncomfortable. But afterward it brings about peace and serenity and the knowledge of Gods will.
We also begin to see things in situations where we know that we shouldn't do something because we have already been corrected for it and, just like a child who is learning to behave, we begin to turn from what we know to be against Gods will.
1 Peter 5:6-7
6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. It is by accepting chastisement and turning from our selfishness that we begin to humble ourselves or submit ourselves to God and His will.: 2 Chronicles 7:14
14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. And then our sins will be forgiven.
Now once we repent and endure chastisement and come to Him humbly we begin to receive His Power. Just what is this Power that a servant of God receives? Let's look at what it means to tap into the Power of our Creator.: Matthew 10:1 1And 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. The power against unclean spirits and to cast them out is the ability to teach others the word of God and convert people to Christ. We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others. Pg 132 Matthew 10:7-8 7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Again, although some of this may have been literal, the way we cast out devils, heal the sick, cleanse lepers and raise the dead today is in the spiritual sense. It is by teaching others how to come under Gods grace and mercy. In this way they live again and are healed. The way they lived serving satan is changed to serving God and devils are cast out of them, their old way of thinking and acting is turned into righteousness. They are no longer lepers or castaways from Gods mercy and love, giving them a chance at salvation.
We are also given the Power to rebuke satan just as Jesus Himself did.: Matthew 8:16
16When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: Jesus cast out devils or spirits with His word.: Matthew 4:9-10 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Jesus rebuked satan with scripture telling Him to get behind Him or taking away His power to tempt Him or use others to influence us such as Peter.: Matthew 16:21-23 21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. We also are given this power by God, though it is probably best that we don't rebuke people by calling them satan. Jesus was not calling Peter satan, but was rebuking satan for influencing Peter by using His love for His Master. Peter was telling Jesus that he would not allow Him to die like Jesus knew He must to save mankind.: Jude 9 9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Michael also rebuked satan simply by telling him that Jesus rebuked him or by rebuking him in Jesus name.
Luke 10:17-20 17And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19Behold, 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. 20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Jesus told them not to be cocky or have pride but rejoice in the fact that their names are written in heaven or that they have become partakers in righteousness through Him.: Acts 19:11-16
11And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Power had been given to Paul as a servant of God 13Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. They were not servants of God. 15And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. They were not servants therefore they had not been given the power to cast out devils, much like someone who has not recovered. they can not tell you how to recover because they have not been given the power to help others.: Colossians 3:15-17 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. One body made up of several different parts all serving God, and be thankful to God for this gift, for being allowed to serve Him. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Let the word of God live in you in all that you do, teaching each other and reproving each other 17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. And everything that we do, do it in Jesus name, for the glory of God and not for our own vain false pride.
As we recover and begin to serve God and carry the message that is set forth in the basic text and His holy word, we will come under fire from those that can not or will not accept what we have to offer. We will take a look at this in another lesson, but the point is that The Lord will Keep us safe and protected as we strive to do the things that are pleasing to Him.: 2 Timothy 3:10-12 10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Not only will we suffer persecution for carrying this message but we will also suffer persecution for the new lifestyle that we choose to live. Living this way of life is not about feeling good, it is about serving God.: When we look back, we realize that the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God's hands were better than anything we could have planned. Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances! Pg 100 Read the book of Job and you will see great persecution and suffering. But Job was a man that God called Perfect.and upright! There are many lessons to be taught and learned out of Job's story but the main thing here is that with all his suffering Job never turned from serving God. It is not about how we feel, or the circumstances around us. If we truly strive to serve Him, God gives us the Power needed to wheather all storms. In His infinite wisdom God has a reason for everything and will always provide us with a way out. There is scarcely any form of trouble and misery which has not been overcome among us. Pg 15
Psalm 34:13-22
13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Guard against speaking rudely and lashing out. 14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Always strive to be at peace with everyone and stop doing what we know to be wrong. 15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. Only then will the Lord hear us. 16The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Other scripture says that He won't even hear their prayers. 17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. As long as I am striving to serve Him He will hear me and deliver me out of my troubles. 18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Those that repent and seek Him. 19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Sometimes materially and always emotionally. 20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. 21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. The biggest reward being eternal life!
1 Peter 5:6-11
6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.We all suffer persecution and satan is always looking for us to slip so he can tempt us with our own lusts. But we must strive to get past our trials and stay strong in the Lord. 10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Your Heavenly Father will never let you down! Pg 181
1 Corinthians 10:13
13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. What might be easy for me to endure might be hard for you and what is easy for you might be hard for me. But God will always give us a way to escape if we strive to do what we know He would have us do.
2 Peter 2:9
9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:The Lord gives us the Power to deal with our temptations, and will punish those who do wickedness on judgement day.
Psalm 145:17-20
17The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. 18The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. 19He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. 20The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. To call upon Him in truth means to be His servant. He will hear us and deliver us from our afflictions when we call on Him.
Psalm 68:35
35O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. It is God that gives strength and power to His people. He is the one that restores us to sanity and it is only by Him that we are at peace in all things. His power is beyond description.: Nahum 1:2-7
2God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. 3The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. 4He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. 5The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. 6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. 7The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in Him. This is a Being that is capable of destruction and healing that is beyond our human comprehension. This is the Power that we are coming into. This mighty God is putting us under His care and protection. When ready, we say something like this: "My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen." Pg 76 Remove from me the things in me that are preventing me from serving you, and give me strength as I go from here to keep your Word! With this new attitude, heart or mindset we begin to be given this unlimited Power.: We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality - safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition. Pg 85 This happens when we clearly see and repent for the way we have lived and make an honest effort to learn and do Gods will. Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all. Pg 14
1 Corinthians 3:5-7
5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? The Lord gives teachers to all who seek Him. 6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. Some plant by being the first ones you hear talk about Gods great mercies. Some water by teaching after that. But only God grants increase or opens up your understanding. 7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. So all things are for Gods glory and honour not for our own vain glory or egos. God also is the one that gives us the ability to enjoy what we have and be content.: Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
18Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. 19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 20For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. He gives us the peace and serenity that we did not have before even though we have had the same things that we have now, or even more than we have now.
Finally how do we stay in the care and protection of Gods Power and mercy?: Ephesians 6:10-18
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. We must be strong in the Lord to stay under the power of His might. And there is only one way to battle satan. We can not stand up to satan without Gods power as satan is an angel and spiritual being that possesses powers beyond our comprehension. But in another lesson you will see how satan only can do what God allows Him to for he also is a servant. This is really made clear in the first two chapters of the book of Job, but again this is another lesson. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Studying to understand Gods word, the truth, and serving Him or walking in righteousness. 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; striving always to walk according to Gods word. 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Belief in, and obedience to, Gods word so we may be shielded from satan by God. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:Keeping always in our hearts or minds the things that God would have us do according to His word. 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Praying always to be shown what God would have us do and always watching our conversation or lifestyle to ensure that we are, to the best of our abiblity, practicing His principles in all our affairs.
True Power comes from one place and one place only! The God of Israel or of the bible. The only way to receive it and keep it is to recognize living without Him or blocked from Him and repenting and striving to serve Him, regardless of our personal circumstances or feelings. In His infinite wisdom God knows what is best for us and how to best use us or mold us into what He would have us be.: Isaiah 55:8-9
8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. It is only by striving to submit to His word that we begin to have true power and the peace and serenity that accompany it.
We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Pg 84
1 Thessalonians 5:21-23
21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.