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Equipped With Power

November 1, 2008

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 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 1:7-8

We are not powerless. God has clothed us with power from on high to meet every situation we encounter; to be witnesses and love and serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Luke 10:27; Luke 24:48).

Apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5b). Our authority is rooted in relationship and connection with Jesus. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” (Psalm 127:1a). But through Jesus we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:5-7

Let God’s Word settle in your heart and life. It is thunderously powerful. It is your sharp sword to combat the attacks of the enemy (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). Meditate on the promises of God until they bring a renewal to your mind and strength to your soul that push you past impotence into the effectiveness for which you’ve been created. “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

In order to make a meaningful difference in the world, to see impossible situations in our lives turn around, we must connect with Jesus and abide in His Word. Talk to Him when you get up in the morning. Pull out your Bible over breakfast. God will help you to be able to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). Even if you don’t feel like it, sing praises about God’s faithfulness. It’s impossible to keep worrying when you are praising God. His power is not for just an elite few. It is for you, for your everyday life (Acts 2:17).

Thank God for His Power!

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.