Day 11: Expecting the Supernatural
Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1–16
Welcome to Day 11 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2023. This is Week 2, The Comfort of the Holy Spirit.
The Focus: “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:4–5)
The Meditation: “My message . . . [was] with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.”
Not Clever Words
Corinth admired fine speakers. Paul arrived there in weakness, with great fear and trembling (1 Corinthians 2:3). He had made up his mind to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).
His preaching did not depend on wise and persuasive words. It came with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that their faith would rest on God’s power and not on human wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:4–5).
Why Power Matters
Faith that rests on a clever argument can be undone by a cleverer one. Faith that rests on what God has done will stand. That is why the first Christians expected God to act. The Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it (Mark 16:20).
We believe He still does. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and for ever (Hebrews 13:8). The gifts of the Spirit that Paul describes later in this letter, such as healing, prophecy and miracles, are given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7–11), and the church still needs them.
The Spirit Reveals
Paul goes on to say that the things God has prepared for those who love Him cannot be discovered by the eye, the ear or the imagination. God reveals them to us by His Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9–10). We have received the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us (1 Corinthians 2:12).
Power That Points to the Cross
Notice what the power served. It was not a show. Paul preached Christ crucified, and the Spirit confirmed that message. Whenever God works in power, the purpose is that people put their trust in Jesus.
Pray It Through
Raise your expectation. Ask God to forgive you for expecting little, and to do what only He can do.
Pray for someone who is ill. Lay the need before God by name and ask Him to heal.
Keep the cross central. Ask that everything God does among us would lead people to Jesus.
Prayer for Today
Father, forgive me for the times I have relied on my own wisdom. I want my faith to rest on Your power. Holy Spirit, show Yourself strong in my life and in our church. Heal the sick, set people free and open blind eyes. Let everything You do point people to Jesus Christ and Him crucified. In His name, Amen.
Listen and Watch
Pastor Ras shares a short message for Day 11 in the audio and video below.
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