January 17 - God’s Spirit Brings New Power To Our Lives
Jesus – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you . . .” (Acts 1:8)
Devotional Thought: As we’ve learned this week, at salvation, the Holy Spirit comes “in” to our lives. And He then begins the process of guiding us and teaching us and bringing transformation to our lives, circumstances and relationships. But the Bible teaches us that He also wants to come “upon” our lives for empowerment purposes.
Acts 2:2-4 tells us that on the Day of Pentecost (10 days after Jesus’ ascension into Heaven): “Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit . . .” The word “filled” in Acts 2:2 is different from the word “filled in Acts 2:4. The word for “filled” in Acts 2:2 is the Greek word “pleroo,” which means “filled to the brim.” The word for “filled” in Acts 2:4, however, is the Greek word, “plethos,” which means “filled to overflowing. “Plethos” was a word used to describe a boat overloaded with fish, a sponge dripping water, or a wedding overflowing with guests. What that tells us is that when we are “filled with the Holy Spirit” we are filled to overflowing with the Spirit’s presence and power. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit begins to flow out of us, demonstrating His presence and power through our speech, our actions, the glow on our faces, our excitement, and our energy. And the Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit wants to “fill us to overflowing” with His presence and power every day of our lives.
So, what are the benefits of being “filled with the Spirit”? When we are “filled with the Spirit” we will have the power to: 1) Understand God’s Word and ways (John 14:26), 2) Discover God’s will (Acts 16:6-9), 3) Undertake God’s work (Acts 6:3), 4) Become a bold witness for the Lord (Acts 1:8, 4:31), 5) Be a better spouse, parent, employee or employer (Ephesians 5:18 – 6:4), 6) Overcome temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), 7) Defeat the Devil (Ephesians 6:10-20), 8) Utilize our Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-11), 9) Overcome negative people and “giant problems” in our lives (1 Samuel 16-17), and 10) Perform miracles in the name of the Lord (Acts 3:1-10, 6:8, 14:3). The key to living a vibrant and victorious life is living every day in the power of God’s Spirit!
So what does it take to live daily in the power of God’s Spirit? We have to: 1) Pray for God’s Spirit to fill us (Luke 11:5-13), 2) Obey the Lord daily in our lives (Acts 5:32), 3) Want more of the Lord’s presence in our lives (Matthew 5:6), 4) Expel known sin from our lives (1 John 1:9), and 5) Receive all that God has for us (Acts 8:14-17). And as we take those steps regularly in our lives, we will not only find ourselves getting closer to the Lord, but we find ourselves having new spiritual power in our lives.
Prayer Focus: Lord, please forgive my sins, empty me of my focus on self, and fill me with Your Spirit, so that I can live today and every day in the power of Your Spirit. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Follow-Up Activity: Set aside time to work through the POWER acronym above, asking the Lord to fill you with a greater sense of His presence and power in your life.
