Where do you get your power? Do you get it from your job, bank account, motivational principles, your own “muscle”, or from some other source?
For me, I tried to “muscle” my way through life. I read multiple books on motivation, and I personally attended many motivational seminars. Even though the writers and speakers provided some good information on what to do and how to do it to become successful, they were unable to provide the daily power necessary to apply what I had learned. Soon, the “hyped” motivation from the books and seminars wore off. And I became discouraged.
Because I was discouraged, I called my mentor for advice. He told me that he too tried to “muscle” his way through life until he read a few pertinent verses from God’s Word. After reading these verses, he realized that we need the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to do what we can’t do on our own power. And that power available to us is the same power from the Holy Spirit who raised Christ from the dead. (Romans 8:11).
Here are the verses my mentor read: The Holy Spirit lives inside each believer (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19) and provides the enabling power to do much more than we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). In fact, God’s Word tells us “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6).
The question now becomes how do we get the Holy Spirit’s power? God answers that question with these verses: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). “…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). And, “…the heavenly father give(s) the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11:13).
The next question is how do we use the Holy Spirit’s power? In the morning, ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18). Then ask the Holy Spirit to “fuel” your day. Ask the Holy Spirit to take control of your life including your thoughts. Ask Him for His wisdom, guidance, and insight. Ask Him to equip you, energize you, and empower you to do what you need to do at work and in your personal life. Ask Him for His fruits of “… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22). Finally, address your weaknesses. We all have them. Admit your weaknesses to the Holy Spirit and ask for His power to conquer them and anything else that holds you in bondage.
Next month, I will list other things that the Holy Spirit does for us.