Power: February 26, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2013

POWER

DEFINITION:

The strength or ability to act or accomplish anything; physical or mental strength; control.

SCRIPTURE:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall then be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the world. Acts 1:8.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The apostle Paul fully understood the power of the Holy Spirit in his life. Paul writes in Romans, chapter 8, that in life we are controlled by one of two forces. We are controlled either by the sinful nature or the Holy Spirit who Jesus sent to be with us to empower every believer.  The key question for us today is if we understand how much power is available to us as believers through the Holy Spirit.

Paul wrote to his churches giving them, and us as well, much information concerning the power of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5, he tells us that the Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome our sinful desires and the evils we face every day. He does not just name some of them, but all of them: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. (Galatians 5:19-21).

In Galatians 5:22 Paul lists the results of what the Holy Spirit has the power to do for us. He speaks to us because this is what he has experienced in his walk with God through the Holy Spirit. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. What a list and we need to remember that God gives us the power through His Holy Spirit to live by these traits and to accomplish for Him what we may think is impossible.

In Romans chapter 8, Paul tells us that we must be controlled by the Holy Spirit and then He will give us the power to please God. This is one of the many promises given to us in the Bible, but there is a condition. We must put aside our sinful misdeeds (verse 13). It begins with us and how we involve the Holy Spirit in our lives.

What kind of vision do you have to help reach people for Jesus? Are you limiting the potential power that God has for you because of your lack of vision? Does your spouse, your children, your neighbors and your friends see Christ and His power in you and do they see a vision that honors God?

We often limit our vision by thinking something is too difficult for us. Moses had limited vision when God directed him to go before Pharaoh and demand that Pharaoh let His people go free and leave Egypt. Moses did not think he was capable. In Exodus 9:16 God assured Moses that he would have the power that he needed to accomplish this task. This is the power that only God can give.

In Ephesians 3:20-21 we are reminded that we serve a great God who is all powerful and is our source for power. He is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

If you are looking for more assurance that God is your power source read, Colossians 1:11. “God will strengthen you with His own great power so that you will not give up when trouble comes.”

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Ephesians 6:1.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

PRAYER:

Thank You for being my power source for all that I do in life. Increase my vision so that I might want to serve You by doing what may seem impossible to me because I know by the power of the Holy Spirit working in me all things are possible. May my spouse and my family and friends respond to the leadership You give me so that together we can reach our community for Christ.