Secret of Personal Power

Jesus added, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Be careful not to let self-sufficiency come in, leading you to work in your own strength. Self is always ready to take the credit if any success follows the work. When we realize our weakness, we learn to depend on a power that is not our own. See 2 Corinthians 12:10. Nothing reaches down to our deepest motives of conduct as fully as a sense of Christ’s pardoning love. We are to come in touch with God. Then His Holy Spirit will fill us, enabling us to come in touch with those around us. The more closely you connect yourself with the Source of light and power, the greater power you will have to work for God.HH 229.1

As the Seventy listened to Christ, the Holy Spirit was writing truth on their hearts. Though crowds surrounded them, it was as though they were shut in with God.HH 229.2

Knowing that they had caught the inspiration of the hour, Jesus “rejoiced in the Spirit and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.’”HH 229.3

The honored of the world, the so-called great and wise men, could not comprehend Christ’s character. But fishermen and tax collectors were enabled to see the Invisible. From time to time, as they surrendered to the Holy Spirit’s power, God illuminated the disciples’ minds. They realized that the mighty God had wrapped Himself in humanity and was among them. Often as Jesus had presented the Old Testament scriptures and showed how they applied to Himself, they had been lifted into a heavenly atmosphere. They had a clearer understanding of these things than the original writers themselves had. Ever afterward, they would read the Old Testament scriptures as a new revelation from God. They saw Him “whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.” John 14:1.HH 229.4

The only way for us to gain a more perfect grasp of truth is by keeping the heart tender and subdued by the Spirit of Christ. Human science is too limited to understand the plan of redemption. Philosophy cannot explain it. But we can know the science of salvation by experience. Only those who see their own sinfulness can discern how precious the Savior is.HH 229.5

The lessons Christ taught as He slowly made His way toward Jerusalem were full of instruction. In Perea the people were less under the control of Jewish bigotry than in Judea, and His teaching found a response in their hearts.HH 229.6

Christ spoke many of His parables during the last months of His ministry. The priests and rabbis could not mistake His meaning, yet they could find no basis on which to accuse Him. Christ repeated the beautiful parable of the lost sheep. And He carried its lesson still further, as He told of the lost piece of silver and the prodigal son. After the Holy Spirit was poured out, as the disciples went out in their Master’s name facing criticism, poverty, and persecution, they often strengthened their hearts by repeating what He said on this last journey: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:32-34.HH 229.7