“And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.”
John 20:22 (NIV)
Do you ever wonder if you have what it takes to make a difference for God?
Firefighters dread one thing even more than the fire itself—strong wind. Why? Because wind fuels the flames, turning a controlled forest fire into a raging wildfire that spreads with unstoppable force.
When Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit," He was giving them supernatural power for an impossible mission. Jesus never expects you to do what you're not empowered to do because the will of God will never lead you where the Holy Spirit cannot help you.
The Holy Spirit is compared to both wind and fire in Scripture. When you're filled with the Spirit, you're set on fire for God's purposes. That same Spirit becomes the wind that fans the flame in your heart, fueling your passion and motivating you to share your faith with those who don’t know Christ.
And you never do God's work alone. When you step out of your comfort zone to share the gospel or serve others, you'll always find the Lord faithful to His promise to give you the Holy Spirit's power. You share the love of Christ through the Holy Spirit's strength.
The Holy Spirit lives in you, fills you and empowers you. You don't need extraordinary gifts or special training. You simply need to be willing to let God's power work through your availability.
What has God been calling you to do that feels beyond your ability? Step forward in faith, knowing that the same Spirit who raised Jesus Christ from the grave, who empowered His disciples to be witnesses–still empowers you in whatever work you have to do today.
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit. Help me rely on Your power rather than my own strength. Fan the flame in my heart and use me to make a difference for Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Topics: Holy Spirit, Evangelism, Spiritual Warfare