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Tapping into God’s Power

Tapping into God’s Power

by

Tim Jennings, M.D.
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God is love, and God loves you.

He is the infinite source of all life, with unlimited power, and He longs to provide you with all the resources of heaven to enable you to live victorious over sin. The power of God is free and available to each and every one of us.

But many people struggle because they don’t understand the difference between God’s power and the power wielded by this sinful world. Satan tempts us to exchange the power of God for the power of the evil one. However, we can only receive and wield God’s power as we relinquish worldly powers.

As we examine different types of power, we must consider what the power being wielded is meant to accomplish. For example, we use the power of a flame to heat our food on a gas range, but we would not use the power of a flame to treat a burn.

What is the power of God to be wielded and what is it meant to accomplish? In the plan of salvation, what is God’s end-goal? The eradication of sin. But from where? The hearts and minds of people. But is that all God wants to accomplish, merely to eliminate sin? No, God could do that by destroying all life. God seeks to not only eliminate sin but to save and heal sinners; He wants to restore in the heart, mind, soul of people His law, methods, principles, to bring us back into perfect unity, “at-one-ment,” with Him so that we can live again in His presence.

This means that God’s power must have the effect of turning people who war against Him, who don’t trust Him, who dislike Him, into people who love and trust Him and who live in harmony with His design for life—while retaining their unique individuality. So, as we think about the use of different types of power, we must ask the question: Does wielding this power heal hearts and minds, remove fear and selfishness, instill love and Christlike character—or does it inflame fear, selfishness, and a willingness to hurt others to protect self?

God wants our love, trust, loyalty, and devotion. As we examine the different types of power, we must ask: Will this power result in restoring love and trust in God?

 

Coercive Power

Coercive power is the use of force and might to threaten, intimidate, or punish in order to pressure someone who is otherwise unwilling to comply with your will. Can God get what He wants from His creatures by exercising this type of power? Further, is the use of this type of power reliable in recruiting followers to one’s cause?

Will the use of this type of power to obtain converts actually result in reliable, stable, trustworthy, and unshakable followers? Can one get loyalty by the use of threats? In other words, if you get people following you with coercive power, will they stay true and loyal against all opposition? What will break coercive power and cause such followers to collapse, to give in, to betray you?

  • A bigger threat
  • A desired inducement
  • Believing a lie
  • Genuine love for someone or something else
  • The hope of freedom

Coercive power is a violation of God’s design law of liberty. Violate liberty in relationships and love is always damaged, a desire to rebel is instilled, and the individuality of those dominated is slowly eroded. This type of power does not restore God’s image in people but destroys it. This is the power of imposed law, rules that require external enforcement by a ruling authority—the power of all human governments.

Imposed law always results in the use of coercive power. God’s government does not operate upon coercive power because what God wants can never be achieved with it. God wants our love and trust—but one cannot achieve love and trust by threat and coercion. Thus, the Bible states, “not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit, says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6).

The first type of power is coercive power, which originates in Satan’s government and is the primary method of the nations of this world. Such behavior is beastly! That is why Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).

 

Inducing Power

The next type of power is inducing power—the power of bribes, payoffs, promotions, money, advancement, praise, and adoration. This power is also used by governments of this world—economic incentives, tax breaks etc. Will bribing someone achieve God’s goal of turning enemies into friends? Does this type of power result in reliable, stable, trustworthy, and unshakable followers? Will people who follow you for what they can get stay loyal against all opposition? What will cause them to collapse and betray you?

  • A serious threat
  • A better payoff
  • A lie
  • Genuine love for someone or something else

The movie The Godfather exemplifies how these first two types of power operate: A deal you can’t refuse—either take the payoff or you will be killed.

While there are rewards that result from loyalty to God—freedom from guilt and shame, the peace that friendship with God brings, the promise of eternal life—such rewards are not payoffs, inducements, or bribes, but the natural result of restoration to harmony with God and His design for life. Just as one cannot avoid the damaging results of violating the laws of health, one cannot avoid the positive results of living in harmony with the laws of health. And being healthy, having energy, vitality, and strength is a reward, but it is not a bribe.

 

Deceiving Power

Another type of power is the power of lies, deceit, and deception. The power of lies is a stronger power, a more potent power, and a more reliable power than coercion or inducement. Adherents who follow someone based on lies—if they truly believe those lies—will not be swayed by threats, will not by bought by bribes. Consider members of cults, for instance, or various terrorist groups. Sadly, human governments use this power all too frequently.

But while lies are more powerful and reliable in achieving converts than threats or inducements, will lies achieve God’s goal of winning people to love and trust? Will such followers be faithful beyond betrayal? Will those who follow based on lies remain true in the face of all opposition? What will cause the deceived follower to collapse and betray you?

  • Another lie that they believe
  • The truth—as the truth exposes the lies, if they accept the truth they will be set free! And the truth may be revealed by either facts or experiences of life
  • Love for someone or something other than self

This power is one of Satan’s prime powers. He is the father of lies. This power is never used by God.

 

The Power of Love

The power of love, to be loved and to love others genuinely more than self, is a power that moves people to action. We have all heard the heroic stories of persons who have sacrificed themselves to save family, friends, and even strangers. And God’s love certainly draws us back to Him. But does the power of love result in reliable, stable, trustworthy, unshakable outcomes? Will those who follow based on love be loyal against all opposition?

Certainly, the power of love is greater than coercive force and greater than inducing power. But there is one power that can, and did, break the power of love—lies. Just remember Eden and the fall of our first parents.

To help people resonate with how powerful lies can be, I often use this example:

Imagine that you are in a healthy, loving marriage in which you love and trust your spouse, who loves and trust you in return. And someone you also love and trust, perhaps your brother or sister, comes to you with tears in their eyes and tells you a lie that your spouse is having an affair. They even show pictures they have doctored on their computer to make it appear your spouse is with another. Now, while it is not true, while your spouse is still loyal and faithful, if you believe the lie, does something inside of you change?

Notice the cascade of destruction that comes from believing lies:

  • Lies believed break the circle of love and trust!
  • Broken love and trust result in fear and selfness
    • “I no longer trust you, so I have to watch out for myself.”
  • Fear and selfishness result in act of selfishness
    • “I’m afraid you will bring me a disease, so I’m moving out and going to the bank to get the money before you do.”
  • Acts of sin damage mind, body, relationships—a terminal condition
    • Increased fear activates stress cascades, damages health, causes negative thought processes and disrupts relationships

This is our root sin-condition. We are infected with fear and selfishness because our first parents believed lies. To the degree we continue to believe lies, particularly about God, we fuel fear and selfishness in our hearts and obstruct God’s power to heal. This is why Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31, 32 NIV84). And this leads us to the power that cannot be broken, the true power of God.

The Power of Love and Truth

There is one power that cannot be broken, and that is the power of love combined with truth. Truth and love combined result in something impenetrable! This is why the Holy Spirit is known as the Spirit of truth and love. This is why at Pentecost they saw two streams of fire: the fire of truth and the fire of love. This is the power of the gospel— the good news—that Paul speaks about, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16 NIV84 emphasis mine). This is the truth about God, the good news about God and His character and methods of love, which destroy lies and win us back to trust.

Lies cannot defeat understood and experienced truth; fear cannot overcome love founded upon truth! Only those who are partakers of God’s nature of truth and love, which is received through the indwelling Spirit of truth and love, are transformed into beings who are unshakable. They are the sealed of God, those who are so settled into the truth and love of God in both understanding and experience that they cannot be moved.

We tap into this power by partaking of the truth about God found in His written Word, in our personal time with God, and in the study of God’s creation. As the Holy Spirit enlightens our minds with truth, if we want the power, we must accept and choose the truth. Mere cognitive acknowledgement does not tap into the power, it is the choice to embrace it and apply the truth to the life that brings the power. Then, as we trust God, we open our hearts and He pours His love into our hearts. This combined application of truth and love into hearts and minds achieves God’s goal: it transforms God’s enemies into God’s friends.

 

Restraining Power

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one other use of power—restraining power. Restraining power is that force exercised to restrain, restrict, reduce, impede, slow, and/or obstruct injury, pain, suffering, destruction, and evil, primarily to give time for healing to occur.

Examples of restraining power include a parent restraining a child running toward the street; the Center for Disease Control officials implementing quarantine; mental-health professionals forcibly hospitalizing and medicating a psychotic patient; benevolent societies incarcerating those bent on exploiting others; and God holding back forces of evil to allow His healing plan to be realized.

Restraining power doesn’t change the character of the one being restrained, but it is the action of an outside intelligence inserting itself into the natural progression of events to overrule the autonomous choices of another being when that restraining power determines failure to act would result in unreasonable harm to others or the one being restrained. And restraining power uses the least restraint, for the shortest duration necessary, seeking to return the one restrained to full autonomy as soon as possible.

Love uses restraining power. God has used restraining power and continues to use restraining power, but what God cannot do is overwrite the mind and choices of His children. To do so would result in the destruction of individuality. The only way God can heal a person, restore a mind, reconstruct a heart, is with the voluntary cooperation of that person. We must actively choose to cooperate with God, to agree with Him. We must “be fully persuaded in our own mind” (Romans 14:5) in order to be transformed. It is the only way that love and truth can heal and restore. Yet, because restraining power cannot transform the heart, there comes a time when restraining power lets go. Parents who restrain rebellious children know that at a certain age, parental restraint must be let go. The Bible speaks of a time when God lets go His restraint, when there is no more that He can do (Revelation 7:1–3; 22:11)

There is a terrible tension in the world today, including in the church, the tension between rules (coercive power) and truth and love, the tension between upholding institutions or saving souls. God is focused on saving people, not human institutions. I invite you to tap into the power of God by wielding the sword of truth in love.

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Tim Jennings, M.D.

Timothy R. Jennings, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist, master psychopharmacologist, Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Fellow of the Southern Psychiatric Association, and an international speaker. He served as president of the Southern and Tennessee Psychiatric Associations and is president and founder of Come and Reason Ministries. Dr. Jennings has authored many books, including The God-Shaped Brain, The God-Shaped Heart, and The Aging Brain.

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Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

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Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

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Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

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