January 29, 2025
It is not something that everyone possesses. Sadly, most do not. It is not that it is inaccessible or unavailable, but many have not heard that it is possible or feel they are fully sufficient without it.
But for those who have recognized their need and asked God to deliver them from a life without Him, they have been given an undeniable and extraordinary gift.
YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER
After the stunning resurrection of Christ, He appeared to His followers. On His last day, He had a final conversation with them. What He told them was of something that would happen very soon to all of them and then to every believer in the centuries to come.
First, they were promised POWER. This small band of followers wondered what was ahead. How could they go on without Christ? How could they help bring in His kingdom? How could His purposes for man be accomplished if He was leaving?
But He assured them of the one thing from the one source that they needed more than anything else. “You will receive power. It will be everything you need in every way. It will open doors and pull down walls. It will invade hearts and minds and move like wildfire throughout this city and nation and to the ends of the world.” (And it has). “It will give you all the direction, and understanding, and ability you need to do everything I need you to do—in fact—everything you were created to do.”
We would not believe such a bold claim, except 2,000 years later, we have seen this power through millions of humble believers. It will not stop (“The gates of hell will not prevail against it”), and the kingdom of God has no end. These early Christians were gifted with extraordinary might—beyond mere human wisdom or ability. It was from a Divine source. Power to go forward even in the face of persecution, to do things that no one else could do, to endure till the end, and to continue to bring the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.
WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES UPON YOU
But make no mistake. In one phrase, Jesus told them where this power resides and how they would be filled with it. This was the same power they had seen in Him as He walked with them. In fact, it was to be Christ’s very Spirit—one with Him—coming upon them. Only the One who made heaven and earth could make such an arrangement and fulfill such a promise. But the next page records the coming of the Holy Spirit, descending upon each believer and filling them with Himself—never to leave them.
The Spirit was and is the power. Since it is not a thing but God Himself, this power source is never-ending and all-sufficient. There would never be a moment for any believer when they did not have what they needed, for He had come upon them. The Spirit was now living in them, and if they understood and cooperated, He would flow through them with effectiveness and power.
If you are a true follower, You have Him, given at the moment of Your salvation. He resides in You. He had promised this, and it has come true.
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)
The Spirit would come (and has come), and every believer, whether they realize it or not and access Him or not, has received power!
AND YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES
There is a reason that God has chosen to inhabit us as His children. He created us as He is and then empowered us so we could join Him in what He does. Now, He is building His kingdom, and we unite with Him in this glorious, eternal work. Our task is uncomplicated. We are simply to speak to everyone of what we have seen and heard and experienced. We are to tell the story (the “gospel” which means good news) realizing that the gospel itself is “the power of God unto salvation to all who believe” (Romans 1:16).
Like a martyr (from which the word “witness” gets its roots), we are to be unashamed in our bold proclamation of what we know to be true, what has changed our lives. This is to be shared even in a world that is not a friend of God, (thus the need for power).
And there are no limits to our territory for this work.
You will receive power, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, nd you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Vs. 8)
A few days later, the power did come as the Spirit came to all believers, and they began to join with Him in His great creative work, building His kingdom. And it has continued for 2,000 years and will continue until the end of time.
IF YOU ARE A FOLLOWER
… remember today that you have power, all that you will ever need! Rely upon the Holy Spirit, not yourself and your meager abilities, but His infinite resources. And open your mouth with someone today and be His witness. Join Him in this glorious work!
January 28, 2025
“You have two overwhelming emotions,” Jesus was saying, “but as you’ve come into My presence, one can be shed like a heavy coat on a warm day. You no longer need fear … just joy.”
January 24, 2025
Each of us has a higher job description, whether we acknowledge it or not. It is not determined by man but by God. He made us in His image—fearfully and wonderfully. He designed us like He is so we can join Him in what He does. Each man and woman has a specific sphere over which they are to lead and oversee … and we will one day give an account of what we’ve done.
January 23, 2025
We are sheep, pure and simple. We are wayward and foolish at every turn. But as we humbly come to the end of ourselves and gladly surrender to the Shepherd’s care, we begin to know the level of care and leadership we were designed to enjoy.
