1 Cor 4:7NLT
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves 1 Cor 4:7NAS
Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 2 Tim 1:14 NAS
We are who we are. When we are fully who we are in Christ, and secure in whose we are, we shine bright and give God glory.
We all have treasure within us. Gifts, talents, abilities, thoughts, personalities, emotions and skill sets have all been entrusted to us. All of us are different. No two people are alike. You are uniquely you, wonderfully created.
My wife is a triplet. Even though the sisters look similar. They are very different. Each have different personalities, emotional make up and talents. They are each beautifully unique.
What you have within you is a treasure. This treasure within you is so valuable it needs to be guarded, protected. It's a treasure that is entrusted to your care, given to you for the sake of others. We receive so that we can give what we have received away.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Prov 4:23 NIV
Acts 1:8 states when the Holy Spirit comes upon you He will give you power to Be...pause for effect... His witnesses. Notice what comes first... the power to Be... comes before being His witness.
Think about this thought. When He, the Holy Spirit comes upon you, He will empower you to Be.
His power gives you the ability to be fully who you were created to Be... uniquely you.
When His empowerment comes upon you, and when you begin to allow the treasure within you to flow out to others, you cannot help but be His witness.
Steve Bowen
Steve Bowen
Be not do...
Note: Peter didn't say we would "do witnessing" but we would be His witnesses.
Being fully you, empowered, with all your gifts talents and abilities
confidently flowing is when you are the most powerful witness.
As believers we have access to the power of the Holy Spirit. The impartation of His supernatural power changes everything. His power enables us to be the very witnesses He created us to be.
In my book Go. Sow. I ask...How much power to do we need?
"How much power do we need? I’m all for more power of the Spirit and pray most days to be empowered. However, I have been around long enough to know I have to be willing to begin to take risks now, in this present time, in order to enter into the power of the Holy Spirit. I’ve learned I often have to be faithful in the small tasks and the small steps before the greater is realized. Beginning in the natural often helps me to move toward releasing the supernatural.
True power of being, enables heaven to bring to our earth(our lives) the power we need to reach out to people of our earth—our sphere of influence.
His power often comes upon me when I’m out in the community, face great need, and sense my lack. It is the very awareness of my lack that propels me in that moment to reach out for more of His power in order to meet the need. If I feel weak and small I still step out in my weakness and smallness. I still serve, and I still pray. Often I sense no feeling of noticeable power when I pray for people yet, amazing things happen.
One lady recently came up to our group and said, “When Steve prayed for me, I received not one job but two jobs. I was so grateful that he took the time and listened to me and prayed for me. I just wanted to thank you all for being out here caring and serving us.”
I wanted to say, “Woman, I who am speaking to you am he.”
Bowen, Steve (2014-04-23). Go. Sow. A simple practical guide into the arena of outreach. (pp. 178-179). . Kindle Edition.
Note she stated, "I was so grateful that he took the time, and listened to me and prayed for me."
What she noticed was my being. His love for her was expressed throungh my actions and my attitude. I had no physical sense of power. I simply released the treasure I knew that was within me by faith, and Her need was met.
Step into being who you are.
Often I have to step into who I am... to be.
I have to remember whose I am and who I am and act accordingly.
At my core I know I am wired as an encourager. So I have to stir up the gift that has been entrusted to me and step into being the encourager I am. Sometimes I literally say as I step out of my car, or walk into a meeting, "I will step into my gift and into my calling as an encourager today."
When I remember who I am, I can then be who I am.
It's all about knowing and being.
The stepping into principle is true when I step into being a husband, a friend, a worker, or a leader.
Such we are, sons and daughters.
1 John 3:1 NASB See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.
This is who we are, sons and daughters.
We are loved by Him. When we treasure the treasure within us, we discover a whole new level of securely. We are called to be, knowing whose we are and who we are.
We receive we give.
Jesus knew whose he was. Before any public ministry Jesus knew whose He was. He was The Beloved Son in Whom the Father was well pleased.
He lived out of His empowered Being. He was secure. He was humble. He was loving.
John 13:3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
