The Power II

‘After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness’ Acts 4:31.

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to share Christ boldly. Before Peter received the Holy Spirit he was really timid and when the chips were down he denied Jesus. When things got heated the disciples ran away. But when they received the Holy Spirit, Peter could confront danger without any fear. ‘And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God’ 1Cor.2:4-5. ‘After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness’ Acts 4:31. I used to be rather timid myself. Naturally I am a very private person; I’d rather not even talk to anybody. Yet what can make me stand in front of people and talk about Jesus – nothing but the Holy Ghost. He gives me power to share Christ boldly.

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to live holy lives. ‘Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace’ Rom.8:5-6. Do you find yourself thinking about sinful things or thinking about the things that please the Spirit? God is saying the choice is yours. What are you allowing to rule your mind or what are you giving the control of your mind to? The sinful nature or the Holy Spirit because it is the Holy Spirit that can give us the power to live holy lives. ‘So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions’ Gal.5:16-17.

Prayer: Holy Sprit, fill me afresh with the power to share Christ boldly and the power to live according to the Spirit. Help me set my affection on the things above, in Jesus Name.