It’s a disaster when the battery on my computer or phone goes out. These beautiful tools become useless when they have no power.
It makes me think of the Church today. Many of us lack power. This contrasts sharply with the early Church. The book of Acts describes a group of believers who, with little formal training and few resources, became unstoppable.
Supernatural living requires supernatural power. The 28 chapters of the book of Acts refer to the Holy Spirit over 60 times. The Holy Spirit energized the early Church. Jesus said, “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you” (John 16:7).
The Holy Spirit empowers us to live supernaturally, dwelling in us, convicting our hearts, illuminating God’s truth, enabling us to obey, and giving confidence to those who share his message.
Has the Holy Spirit become the forgotten or feared member of the Trinity? Some may be wary of the spiritual wackiness that is sometimes associated with the Holy Spirit today. Perhaps we’re just ignorant of the important role he is meant to play in our daily lives.
The early Church lived and breathed the Holy Spirit. Jesus told the disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Indeed, the previously confused disciples became bold and powerful orators of the gospel. Through them, the Holy Spirit healed, spoke the truth, and guided every move. Wherever the Holy Spirit moved, people repented, believed, and united for God, accomplishing his glorious plans. They became unstoppable.
I cannot live the Christian life in my own strength and power. It’s too hard. I’m no good at being an obedient child of God. I need his supernatural power to love and obey him. I need the Holy Spirit. He’s much more than a feeling: he is God in me. When I trust the Holy Spirit and follow his lead moment by moment, I become his witness in word and deed. And if enough of us do this, maybe the Church will become unstoppable once more.
Jesus, thank you so much for not leaving us orphans. You have come to dwell in our hearts through your Spirit so that we can know you, love you, and obey you day by day. Teach me to trust in your infinite power and your constant presence as I go from task to task, so that I obey you moment by moment as you created me to do. Amen.
Throughout This Day: Ponder the amazing privilege we have in Christ by meditating on these verses: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3.16-17).
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