Not in My Own Strength

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

This past Sunday was Pentacost. This is the day(s) recognizing the release of the Holy Spirit in Acts Chapter 2, after Jesus ascended into Heaven. His final instruction to His disciples was to go and wait for the Holy Spirit and His power. How telling that God did not tell them to go out through all the world and preach the Gospel initially. His command was simple “wait for the power.” For ten days, 120 believers waited in an upper room for the Holy Spirit to come. The result was a release of His spirit, resulting in incredible signs and wonders.

In most years, Pentacost comes and goes without me realizing. Honestly, I needed a refresher of what Pentacost even celebrates. But this year, something was very different. As the world’s events and news headlines continues to shake our foundations, we are all hungry for the power of God on this earth. When the Spirit was poured out in Acts Chapter 2, it was the fulfillment of “And I will cause wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below.” Today, this world needs nothing more than the supernatural presence and impartation of God in this world.

So if Jesus told his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, what does this say to me? It says that we cannot operate without the fullness of power and the Holy Spirit. Christianity was never meant to be lived absent this power; it is not a faith of mere words and concepts. The gifts that we have been given through the Holy Spirit are truly overwhelming. My heart’s desire is to be able to heal the sick through the power of the Spirit; to declare God’s purposes on the Earth; and to witness signs and wonders. We live in a world where we’ve forgotten that we serve an almighty, powerful God who sent us his Helper to enable us to do the impossible.

Reflection Questions:

How do you recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in your own life?

What are ways we’ve seen the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives?

What is the Holy Spirit’s role in your life currently?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, we welcome you;

We invite you into every part of our life.

We look to you for guidance and wisdom.

We rely on you to bring God’s kingdom on this Earth;

We delight in the signs and wonders that are possible through you.

Open our eyes to see the work of your hand.