But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV
Illustration
One New Year’s Day, in the Tournament of Roses parade, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit. It was out of gas. The whole parade was held up until someone could get a can of gas. The amusing thing was this float represented the Standard Oil Company. With its vast oil resources, its truck was out of gas. Even though Christians have access to God’s omnipotence, if we do not avail ourselves to it, we will run out of power.
Most believers cannot begin to comprehend the power they have through Christ Jesus. Thus, the Bible contains several verses that emphasize our God-given power. Romans 8:37 reminds us that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us. Isaiah 54:17 tells us, “no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.” In Luke 10:19 Jesus told His disciples and us, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” In Mark 6:7, Jesus gave His disciples and us authority over demonic spirits. Matthew 18:18, Jesus boldly declares “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
There is no limit to the power given to us by Almighty God through Christ Jesus. Yet, we are often made to operate out of fear instead of strength. God ordained His faithful servants to exercise divine authority on earth as His ambassadors. He understands that we fight not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore, He gave us all the power we need to do His kingdom work with authority.
In today’s text, Jesus told His disciples that He would give them Holy Spirit power so they can do His great commission work. That power only comes with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God’s power cannot be fabricated or manufactured. It only comes when and where the Holy Spirit is allowed to occupy. Without the Holy Spirit, we have no power to fight the demons that are trying to destroy us.
The Holy Spirit is the spiritual fuel that enables our spiritual engine to operate at maximum capacity. He enables us to walk in authority and gives us the confidence to do miraculous things in Jesus’ name. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to move mountains and slay the giants we face.
Believers need to know they have power over cancer, poverty, death, divorce, addiction, depression, generational curses, demons, demonic attacks, mental diseases, and every other challenge we face in life. We need to be reminded that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
Brothers and sisters who are overwhelmed with fear, struggling with hopelessness, and on the verge of giving up on themselves and God need to know they have the power in the name of Jesus. The oppressed and marginalized, the poor and downtrodden, the persecuted and the abused need to know they yet have power through Christ Jesus.
If you are willing to receive the Holy Ghost that Jesus gave to His disciples, then you have the power. You are no longer a victim but a conqueror. So be strong and courageous, you already have victory in Christ Jesus. You just need to start living your best life with power.
Questions for Personal Reflection
Why is the Holy Spirit so crucial to living with power?
How can you help someone who is struggling in life to tap into their God-given power?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, thank you for the power you have given me as an ambassador of Jesus Christ. I invite the Holy Spirit to abide in me continuously so I can walk in authority all the days of my life. Please help me not to allow fear and the troubles of this world to rob me of my power.
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