Jesus made a
powerful promise in Acts 1:8 a promise that flipped everything upside down in
the best way possible: the promise of supernatural power! When Jesus made this
promise, His disciples had already received the Spirit within them when He
breathed on them in John 20:22. But this? This was something more. A divine
empowerment from above that would transform them into bold, unstoppable
witnesses.
And here’s
the Good News—that same promise is for you and me today! There are three ways
the Holy Spirit works in a person’s life. First, He is WITH you—before you were
saved, convicting you and drawing you to Jesus. Second, He comes INTO you at
salvation, giving a spiritual rebirth, making you a new creation, and sealing
you as His own child. But third and don’t miss this He comes UPON you, to
empower you for ministry. A few days earlier, in Luke 24:49, Jesus had told His
believing disciples to wait for this experience.
When the
Spirit was about to come upon them at Pentecost, everything would change. They
would go from timid to bold, from hiding to heralding the Gospel, from living
in human energy to living with supernatural empowerment!
Picture a
sailboat on a still lake. The boat is built, the mast is raised, and the sail
is set but with no wind, it doesn’t move. Then a breeze fills the sail, and
suddenly it surges forward. Thats the difference between the Spirit dwelling in
you and the Spirit coming upon you. Salvation equips you; the Spirits power
propels you!
Sadly, many
believers stop short. There forgiven but not empowered, saved but not bold,
followers but not witnesses. God wants more for you! The Spirit’s power is for
every believer to live victoriously and shine brightly in a dark world. So how
do you receive it? Jesus made it simple in Luke 11:13: How much more will your
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! Thats it! Ask! Ask
in faith, surrender fully, and seek His filling.
If you ask
for the Holy Spirit to come upon you, here’s what you can expect: You’ll
experience boldness like never before; you’ll sense a deeper love for Jesus,
for people, and even for your enemies; you’ll receive spiritual gifts; you’ll
live with greater purpose and clarity; and you may be overwhelmed with joy,
tears, worship, and peace.
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