I’ve heard this thought so many times from parents: “I want my child to do better and to reach greater heights than me.” I feel the same way. Parents feel so proud when their children accomplish great things. They will show you their pictures and videos, and will talk all day long about the successes of their children, It’s as if they themselves had achieved those victories. Well, guess what: God, who is the perfect Father, wants you to do great things! In Matthew 7:11, Jesus said: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Your Heavenly Father has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. He has already empowered you to live victoriously in this life. You have been “born again.” You now have His DNA. Jesus said we would do greater things: “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 (AMP). Note that He said we would do greater things than He did “in extent and outreach.” As part of His Body, we will go to places He never went in His earthly ministry. We will heal more people than He did because His Body is all over the world. You are part of His Body. He has already empowered you. Your heavenly Father has already authorized you. It’s time to reject any hindering thoughts, past failures, negative words, fears and doubts, and begin to be who God already authorized you to be. There are many who are waiting for you to show up as God’s ambassador and release the life-giving anointing and gifting that is within you! Your heavenly Father will be very pleased with your successes and victories. Your victories are His victories!
It can take you there, but it can’t keep you there!
There are many who get easily impressed with “anointed” people. Yet we are continuously seeing “anointed” ministers fall from grace in the news. We all have gifts given to us from God. Your gifts can take you to great heights, but if you do not have character, your gifts won’t be able to keep you there. Only character and integrity can keep you in the tough places. The Scriptures reveal leaders like Samson, who had an amazing anointing, yet fell into immorality. But when you look at a person like Joseph, who even though was tempted, lied about and deceived, still ended up prospering in any and every challenge. Why? Because he was a man of character and integrity. Samson didn’t build up his inner man and as a result, succumbed to temptations and suffered devastation and loss (Judges 16:1).
Here are some steps to a strong inner man:
Meditate on God’s word constantly. (Are we disciplined or just gifted?).
We must develop a strong, effective, fervent, consistent prayer life.
We must begin to act and walk in faith. Faith without works is dead (James 2).
Always be alert.
Stand firm in the faith.
Walk in love (1 John 4: 7-8).
Live righteously (Psalms 24: 4-5).
Be faithful and steady. Hasty and impetuous people sin and miss the mark (Prov. 20: 28).
Seek God’s wisdom daily (Prov: 8:32-36).
Ephesians 6:10 “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might”
Hebrews 6:11-12 “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
