This Is Hopeಮಾದರಿ

Day 3: Holy Spirit as Our Power Source

D.L. Moody once said “You might as well try to hear without ears or breathe without lungs, as try to live a Christian life without the Spirit of God”. Moody aptly described what many believers often miss out on. Following Christ is not about trying harder, but relying more deeply on the Holy Spirit who empowers us for life transformation and to do God’s work.

In Acts 1, right before Jesus ascended, He gave His disciples an explicit command to stay in Jerusalem to wait for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Throughout His ministry, Jesus taught His disciples on how the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth (John 15:26), an Advocate (John 16:7) and one who will glorify Him (John 16:14). While the disciples were expecting Jesus to restore the kingdom of Israel (v6), Jesus turned their focus away from their concerns to what was more important (v8). From Jesus’ point of view, it was absolutely crucial for His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit so that they can be His witnesses.

Across the book of Acts, we subsequently see how the Holy Spirit came upon the people at Pentecost (Acts 2), empowered the apostles to preach (Acts 4:8) and to perform signs and wonders (Acts 3:6). The Holy Spirit was also responsible for leading Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey to break new ground and plant new churches (Acts 13:2). Clearly, the Holy Spirit is our power source and empowers the church to work towards God’s agenda by fulfilling the Great Commission.

Beyond empowering us to do God’s work, the Holy Spirit is also our power source for holy living. It is only by walking in the Spirit daily and yielding to Him that we can produce the fruit of the Spirit. Our efforts to “try harder” to change may reap short term gains, but only the Holy Spirit can effect long-term transformation in our hearts and lives. The question we are to ask ourselves is this – am I plugged into the Holy Spirit daily?

Pray and reflect:

• Pray for a heart that is sensitive to hear from the Holy Spirit and one that will obey His voice and leading.
• What do you need the Holy Spirit’s power for in your life? Pray and ask for the Spirit’s empowerment in a few specific areas in your life and service to God.