True Power

With the never ending fascination with superheros it is amazing how many thoughts people have about the power we would like to have. Power is an interesting concept to me. What it looks like and how someone gets it is as varied as the people who crave it.

Take for example a two year old who wants to exercise power of authority. They will throw themselves on the ground screaming in hope that they will get their way. One the other side of things we can look at a business executive that runs his business as a dictator and his word is law, and no one better dare to question what he says. I have seen people throw their education up as a symbol of power. "I am right because I have a Masters degree." I even once had a Dr. say I was faking my illness because I refused to take narcotics and he couldn't figure out what was causing my problem. And yes I have known pastors who feel that they are greater than other Christians because they are "PASTOR"

The fact is that many people crave power of one form or another. As I was studying the scriptures I was drawn to Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

True Power comes in living in the fullness of the Holy Spirit of God. This type of power is different than the typical power that we crave in our sinful nature. We want power for selfish reasons but true power comes through selfless obedience to God the Father. When we surrender ourselves to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit we will find ourselves with the power to change the world. We will touch lives in a way that has meaning not just for this life but for the life to come.

This kind of power isn't controlled by circumstances, emotion, physical limitations. We will be able to endure more than we think possible and effectively change the world around us one life at a time.

I love the fact that this power was first given in a prayer meeting(see Acts 2)yet in churches across the country prayer meetings are the least attended services.

God began the church in a prayer meeting. He gave the gift of the Holy Spirit in a prayer meeting. So why do Christians avoid prayer meetings?

James 5:13-18 says Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

May we embrace God's plan for power in our lives and submit to the control of the Holy Spirit of God. And may we join together in prayer as the source of God's out pouring of power.