IT TAKES A POSITIVE AND A NEGATIVE TO CREATE POWER!

It takes a positive and a negative to create power!!!

By Mary Ann Wray

My Dad had a 1965 Convertible Ford Galaxy 500 and kept it for many years. We loved that family car and took many a joy ride with the top down on warm sunny days! My dad was a frugal man and would never replace anything unless it was absolutely necessary. When he did have to replace something he always looked for a bargain. As his beloved Galaxy gained years and mileage the battery weakened.  He always carried around a set of jumper cables in the floorboard of the back seat in case it wouldn’t start, which happened a lot of times! I remember being stalled at a gas station or hardware store when I would run errands with dad and the car wouldn’t start. He’d calmly go inside or approach someone out in the parking lot and ask for a jump start.

He showed me how it worked...The car or truck providing the jump would pull up in front of our car, and both vehicles would have the hoods opened. The other vehicle would start their engine, then dad would connect the cables to their battery first.  Next he showed me how to connect the cables to our car. He taught me to always start with the red positive charge cable grip then connect it to  the positive terminal on our battery. Lastly, he showed me to hook up the black negative cable grip to the negative terminal. He’d then walk around, open the door for me and then say, “Okay, get in and crank her up”. I’d turn the key and much to my surprise the engine turned over and the car ran like nothing was wrong! He’d tell me to rev up the engine a bit so the charge would take. Then after a few minutes, we’d take off and head out to our next destination!

Living for Christ and serving the Lord is a lot like this. Sometimes we run out of spiritual power or we wonder why at times we can have an oasis pool of promises and blessings flowing in one area of our lives while a puddle of problems seems to pile up in another. The Lord reminded me today that it takes a positive and a negative to create power! It is only when we realize our weakness that the power of God in us is made alive and visible! That’s why Paul said, “When I am weak, then I am strong!”

The key to releasing God’s power through our weakness is our faith towards God. Faith IS a spiritually tangible substance and the key that connects us to our Divine Power source! When we release our faith towards God during our times of weakness, we are able to tap into and receive the re-charging power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to face difficulty, overcome trials, see miracles manifest and strengthen us to do what seems to be the impossible!  No wonder why the Apostle wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4: 13) because he realized the power lie with God, not within himself or his own abilities. He was a man of great pedigree and prestige at one time in his life, yet he counted it all as rubbish after he came to know the Living Christ at his conversion! (Philippians 3: 8)

You need to understand that it is in your times of greatest weakness that Christ in you is made strong and visible but you have to connect with the Father and turn the key of faith in order for it to be released! Don’t allow the devil fill you with doubt and fear when you’re going through a hard time but understand it’s during those times of struggle and weakness that the Father wants to manifest His strength and power THROUGH you! Always remember that it takes a positive and a negative to create power!

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows....was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12: 2-12 NIV

“For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.” 2 Corinthians 13:4 (KJV)

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Cor 2: 1 - 5