The Power of The Holy Spirit

The Power of The Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 is a key verse. 

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Ju-dea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. 

This bible verse reveals that the power of the church comes from the Holy Spirit and not from man (see Zech. 4.6).  Man is endowed with a lot of skill, talent and capacity. But nothing of or in man can accomplish or replace the work of the Holy Spirit in God’s work. 

Ordinary people were able to do extraordinary things because the Spirit of God was at work in their lives. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity. 

God’s people in the bible, experienced repeated fillings of the Spirit as they needed His presence in their lives to face new opportunities and obstacles (Acts 2.4; 4.8, 31; 9.17; 13.9). 

The word ‘Witness’ (Acts 1:vs 8)is used many times in the book of Acts. A witness is somebody who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced; for example, a witness to an accident. A witness tells what he has seen and heard (Acts 4:19-20). 

When on a witness stand in court, the judge is not interested in one’s ideas or opinions; he only wants to hear what you have seen or know. 

One is either a witness or not a witness. A witness will have a story different from others 

As a Christian baptized in the Holy Spirit, we should have stories of what we have seen and experienced. Particularly in our private lives. 

There should be testimonies of His guidance, presence, teaching, direction, revelation, healing, bringing things to our remembrance, 

If you have ever drunk a freshly opened Coca Cola drink, you will notice that there is a marked difference between it and one opened days ago, which has gone flat. This in a sense is the difference between a Witness and a Christian who is not baptised in the Holy Spirit. 

It is possible to have a vibrant ‘effervescent like relationship with the Holy Spirit. Remember He is a gift to be received. (Acts.1.4). You cannot earn Him by fasting and prayer (though it helps). You have to wait patiently (not impatiently)-The disciples waited for 50 days – almost 2 months (Acts.2.1) 

One can pray and ask God for the Holy Spir-it, trusting His loving kindness and mercy to be poured on us as individuals and as a Church Family 

Once He comes, there will be a difference. And He will come because the Father does not lie. (Acts.1.4, Matt.7.7-8) 

Looking again at Acts 1.8, it gives, a general outline of the Book of Acts as it describes the geographical spread of the Gospel: from Jerusalem (Acts 1-7) to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8-9), and then to the Gentiles and to the ends of the earth (Acts 10-28). 

This proves that once He comes, our witness will start at home first (Jerusalem), before spreading to the church and places of work (Judea & Samaria). 

After all, there is a proverb that says “Charity begins at home” .

It stands to reason that the outflow of the Ho-ly Spirit will first be seen at home amongst our family members, friends and work colleagues. 

Is that your testimony? 

If not, why not ask for the mercy of God to honour the cry of your heart, as you wait patiently for our God, who hears and answers prayer, to fill you afresh with His Promised Holy Spirit. 

Pastor Femi Popoola

Three Friends

Three Friends

Luke 11:5-8 

And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;

for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;

and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’?

I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

There are 3 friends in the story. 

The first friend is on the journey of life and at the midnight hour of his life.

He was tired, hungry, helpless, stranded, and fearful – like we sometimes find ourselves. 

We also noted the time of the day – MIDNIGHT – dark time – that comes to everyone at some time or the other – on the journey of life. 

Be encouraged by the fact that whatever you are facing on your journey of life, and at the midnight hour of your life is not peculiar to you– others are facing stuff too.

1 Cor 10:13 –  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

God will make a way of escape for you in Jesus name.

We also noted that this needy man knew a friend’s house was nearby and came for help. May God grant us friends that we can go to and share our issues of life with.

This brings us to the second friend in the story 

 

The Second friend also represents THE HOLY SPIRIT in our life – a Friend in between God and needy man. Our COMFORTED. HELPER. TEACHER. GUIDE

John 14:26 (AMPC) But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

As long as you call on the Holy Spirit & acknowledge Him, He will be all stated above to you.

 

Another way thing to note about the middle friend is that he has a correct relationship with the Bigger Friend.

The middle friend though did not have the 3 loaves, but he has the Friend who has all things. He knows another Friend who can help – that he could turn to at midnight. The Bigger Friend could identify with him as a friend. Like Abraham Isaiah 41:8 & Gen18:17. The testimonial of Abraham before God – made him God’s friend.

You need to have a close friendship with the one that has the cattle upon a thousand hills – 

Psm 50:10-11.  God wants such a relationship with you. He wants to help you, bless you, share all He has with you, but are you His friend?  

Do you fulfil the criteria that will grant you access to Jesus, the Bigger Friend?

Do you obey Him or do you rob Him? Mal 3:8   will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me-  In tithes & Offering —-

 

Repent today. Invite Jesus into your life as your Bigger FRIEND; Repent of every form of disobedience, especially in tithing and giving quality offerings to God.

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