“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 NKJV
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:4-5
The Great Commission
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Mark 16:15-18 NKJV
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
John 14:12 NKJV
“But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.”
John 14:26 AMPC
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24 NKJV
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Luke 11:13 NKJV
“And everyone who makes a statement or speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit [that is, whoever intentionally comes short of the reverence due the Holy Spirit], it will not be forgiven him [for him there is no forgiveness].”
Luke 12:10 AMPC
Plugged in, a simple truth, creating a profound difference.
The coffee maker was not working. Investigating the lack of power, I noticed the plug was only partially connected to the outlet. As I fully reconnected to the power source, envisioning the physical situation before me, a thought came to me regarding the spiritual condition of the church. The thought? Is the church fully connected to the power of God through His Holy Spirit as Jesus promised to His body of believers?
Honestly, I am befuddled by the pick and choose mentality of the Church today regarding the New Testament Words of Jesus. Religion says, “Salvation is okay, but miracles are not for today.” Hmm? Jesus said, “Signs will accompany them who believe.” The Lord instructed His followers to wait for the Promise of the Father, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” And what of the Lord’s words in John 14:12? “To those who believe,” empowered by God, “Greater works than these will you do.”
Much of the church says, “Moving in Holy Spirit power was only for the days of Jesus.” Scripture affirms, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.(Hebrews 13:8) In light of this scripture, Jesus is the same today! Holy Spirit is the same! Christ in us, the Word of the New Testament, lives in all who believe. The living and active Spirit of God is present in us - TODAY!
Through Christ, the church believes in the miracle of salvation; yet, for many it stops there. Why? Could the church have been robbed by the father of lies? (John 8:44) Duped to believe less? Has the deceiver wiggled our plug to be only partially connected to the power of the Savior? Have we allowed our foe to convince us that the Resurrection Power of God within us has short-circuited, and is not operable for our present time, robbing us of the Truth? (John 10:10)
Jesus said, “All things are possible to those that believe.” ALL THINGS! Church believe!
Be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire! (Luke 3:16) May we surge forth, fully connected to the Most High God, living out our time on earth in the fullness of God’s power for the display of His splendor.
Your light can’t fully shine without the luminous power of God.
Prayer
Father,
Help us in our unbelief. May we be fully plugged into the same Gospel of Jesus Christ as the original twelve disciples. May we, Your church, choose to fully connect to Jesus, our true power source, who is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!
Lord, unknowingly, I have allowed the father of lies to wiggle my cord, causing only a partial connection to Your truth. I long for all You have for me. Reconnect me to the fullness of Your power, I pray.
I lay down my religion, that teaches the power of the Holy Spirit is not for today. How that must grieve Your heart, Father, as the enemy disempowers Your body through this deception. I repent for any measure I have embraced that lie, and disconnect from it. I disengage all unbelief. I repent for doubting, and being cynical regarding Your power when I don’t see miracles unfold before my eyes. Rewire me, oh Lord, that I may move in the fullness of Your power.
Without reservation, I engage the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Yes and Amen!
Refresh me, Lord. Reboot my connection with the energy of Your Holy Spirit, for I have grown weary being my own conductor. Take charge, Lord.
Surge through me now with Your power. Baptize me afresh with Your Holy Spirit and fire. Fully connect me to You. Make my life as a conduit for You to flow freely in and out of me, electrifying the atmosphere with Your glory.
May I be fully effectual, fully enlightened, to display Your glory on the earth, charging each situation with the very presence of God. As promised, signs and wonders will accompany me, with greater things to come.
My confidence is in You, Lord! Thank You for empowering me!
May all I do, be done in love, to glorify You, the God of love.
Amen!
“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6b ESV
Comments