By Dick VanHuss
Have you ever prayed for someone and felt helpless because no matter how hard you prayed, there was no change in the circumstances? Mark 9 records how the disciples could not cast out the demon from the boy no matter how hard they tried. 28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?” 29 Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”
There is a story (abridged version) told years ago about a tractor company wanting to help people in a remote village that did not have power equipment. Apparently, the tractor and diesel fuel were delivered without instructions. Not understanding the purpose, the villagers tasted the diesel fuel and pronounced it spoiled. They did not dump it out because they wondered if it had some ability to cure disease. When planting time came the villagers took turns as teams to surround the tractor and push it back and forth to plow the ground. Later the company sent a representative to see how the tractor had improved their life. He discovered they hated the tractor and felt it made their lives more difficult. When he asked why, they demonstrated how heavy it was and how it did nothing to make their work easier. He then filled the tractor with fuel, started the tractor and released the power that was at their disposal if they just knew how to use it.
We have access to spiritual power and authority that we often don’t understand and don’t use. We work hard but see limited results. The answer is to use the power of the Holy Spirit the way Jesus intended.
Jesus gave his disciples an introduction to the empowerment they would receive on Pentecost. John 20:22 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Jesus promised his followers if they would wait, they would receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of that promise was explained in Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
In Acts 2 the promise comes to the believers who were obedient to wait for the experience. Peter in his sermon (Acts 2:39) indicates that it was not just for that moment but for all those who are in the future. “This promise is to you, to your children, and to people far in the future, —all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
Jesus has given you the power to accomplish all he calls you to do. He will baptize you into the Holy Spirit to give you the power to be a witness. Receive that authority and power and live in the realm God desires you to live!
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the promise of baptizing us in your Holy Spirit. Help us to receive the power and authority to be a witness in all we say and do. Let us experience the power of God to share the message of deliverance, healing, and a redeemed life.
Questions to think about.
- What areas spiritually do you try to do things on your own that operating in the power of the Holy Spirit would be so much easier?
- Have you ever struggled with fear about being a witness for Jesus? How has the Holy Spirit helped you overcome that fear and be effective?
- Are there other groups who received the Holy Spirit after Acts 2? (Hint: there are.) How did that experience change their lives?