POWER THROUGH THE SPIRIT
But ye shall receive power, after that, the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Some Christians assume and believe that prayer produces power. So, they say, “a prayer-less Christian is a powerless Christian,” but that’s not stated anywhere in the Bible.
Notice our theme scripture; Jesus didn’t say you’ll receive power after you’ve prayed. I believe in prayer, but prayer doesn’t bring power. Power comes from the Holy Ghost.
Power is the dynamic ability to cause changes. That means we can effect changes in our lives and that of our loved ones, and even in places where we desire to see changes. We’re not supposed to be victims in the earth, but many Christians live as victims; they’re captives of adverse circumstances. But Jesus said you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you. Jesus was never a victim, yet many of God’s children have been victims in one way or the other.
1 John 3:2 says, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” When you were born again, you were born as an offspring of God; through the Holy Spirit, you have power. No need to ask Him for power, for the power is already resident in you. All you need to do for the power of God in you to be manifested is to stir it up (2 Timothy 1:6). Glory to God!
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
“David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying…” 1 Chronicles 25:1 (NIV)
The Bible tells us that the gift of prophecy is the most important gift in the Scriptures; it is the number one gift of the Spirit.
Prophecy is the only gift God says you should desire, even if you didn’t have any other one. Why? We are made by prophecy. The gift of prophecy is God’s material for building His house. Your life and ministry are constructed by the gift of prophecy; your future is designed by it. This means, the vision that God has in heaven about your life and the church is only brought to this earth through the gift of prophecy, and that gift is what inspires you to get in line with the vision.
Remember, God said to Moses, see that you build the sanctuary according to the vision that was shown to you; see that you do it accordingly. So that gift of prophecy tells you of your future: God’s plan for your life, and once you get a hold of it, you must keep saying it; don’t stop talking it, and walk in the light of it.
We are a people of prophecy; prophesy today. Hallelujah!
DEVELOP YOUR SPIRIT NATURE
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified (Acts 20:32).
One very important thing you must do consciously as a Christian is to develop your spirit-nature and become more God-conscious in your daily walk. There’re Christians who aren’t God-conscious, even though they’re born again; they haven’t developed their spirits; they haven’t matured in their Christian walk. When you develop your spirit, you’ll never be afraid of anything; you’ll always be a victor. It makes no difference what happens with you or around you; you’ll always be on top.
Have you ever observed birds, and how they fly? Some can only fly at a certain height. A duck may fly higher and longer than a chicken, but it can’t sustain itself like a sparrow. And as fast and as wonderfully a sparrow may fly, it can never fly as high as an eagle and sustain itself in the air. It’s like airplanes too; some can only fly between thirty to thirty-eight thousand feet above sea level. Some can fly at forty thousand feet, and can’t go higher, no matter how they try. But some can fly at sixty thousand feet.
Spiritually, it’s the same. Some Christians are “flying” very high. Some want to fly high but they can’t, because they haven’t developed their spirit-life for that level; so, when trouble strikes, they’re overwhelmed and rattled by the turbulence. But the one who has developed his spirit, soars like an eagle; he has the “speed” and “lift” to go above turbulence. It makes no difference what your present situation is; if you’d develop your spirit, you’ll always rise above the turbulence. How do you develop your spirit?
God tells us in Joshua 1:8 to meditate on His Word. That’s the secret for training and developing your spirit for success. That’s how you program your spirit for the triumphant life of ever-increasing glory. Practice meditating on the Word of God. When you study the Word, don’t just read through; capture it into your heart, and learn to give the Word first place in your life.
FOLLOW THE SPIRIT
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13).
One of the things you must do throughout this year is to yield to the Spirit and follow His guidance and counsel in all your dealings. No other personality in this life is worth following but the Holy Spirit. He’s the greatest friend and teacher you could ever know; He’s the One called alongside to go with you, and to be with you and in you! He’s the One who guides you into all truth and brings His Word to your remembrance.
Following the Holy Spirit means yielding yourself to Him through the Word of God. You cannot follow the Holy Spirit except you’re yielded to God’s Word; doing what He says. This will reflect the beauty of God in you and help you live a more excellent life. You’ll find yourself making the best decisions and the right choices always. You’ll do the right thing the first time, be at the right place at the right time, and live an inspiring life.
How important it is to be led by the Spirit of God in all your affairs! No one but He can give you true counsel and guidance in life. So be sure to yield to Him with all your heart. Isaiah 30:21 says “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Also, He said through the Psalmist in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” This is the ministry of the Spirit in your life, take advantage of it today and you’ll never lose your way.