[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
‒ Acts 1:8, NASB
Can you imagine what it was like when these words were spoken? The promise Jesus gave that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon us! Just to think that Jesus would leave not just His mission to the disciples, but also His power.
When Jesus ascended to heaven and gave the promise of His Holy Spirit to us, I’m sure there was talk among the disciples on what this power would look like. Can you imagine with me the conversations that could have taken place? Maybe it went something like this. “If He’s not with us, He’s looking for us to do miracles? Me?! He’s thinking we will have the words to say? What are we supposed to do? He’s thinking that we will be the ones to show others His love and hope?”
The disciples didn’t know when the Holy Spirit would come, but they did know that the Spirit was promised to them. So, what did they do? They went to prayer. They had no idea how long they would pray. I’m sure they didn’t know what they were even praying for or what it meant to have the “power of the Holy Spirit” come upon them. But as they pressed in, the story unfolds.
In Acts 2:1-4 it says this: “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”
Wow. I would have loved to have been there that day in the upper room as men, women, and maybe even children gathered in prayer waiting for the power of the Spirit to come upon them. And as they waited, it did. The Spirit came. The promise Jesus had given them. They were not alone, and neither are you. As we press in and pray, we have the same opportunity that the disciples had in that upper room. As we press into the heart of God for those around us, I know that God will meet us. He says that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.
You have been given power by the Holy Spirit to go and preach the Gospel to all people. You have been given a mandate by God Himself and have been promised the power of the Spirit. Power means authority, influence. God has given you this. Now, what do we need to do? Embrace it. Believe it. Walk in it. We need to understand that God has sent each of us not in our own strength, but in His strength, His power, His authority.
Our God is full of power. The darkness flees at the sound of His voice. His power spoke galaxies into existence. Today, let’s worship our God who is full of all power and authority. Today, let’s walk as daughters of the King, as the sent ones that He has called and go in His power and authority to the lost and broken around us. You have been sent! Let’s walk together in all He has called us to do, going in the power of His Spirit.
Prayer: God, will You reveal to me the power of Your spirit even more? I ask for boldness today as I press into prayer and share Your love with those around me. Will You help me to understand the greatness of Your power within me? It’s all for Your glory. Amen
Related Scriptures: Acts 2:1-4, 1 Corinthians 2:4
- As I press into prayer, do I believe that God has given me authority?
- How does this change the way that I pray?
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