by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

The Holy Spirit should be the power behind everything we do.

An author once visited a dam on the Columbia River. He'd always thought that the water spilling over the top provided the power, not realizing that it was just froth, but that deep within, turbines and generators transformed the power of tons and tons of water to electricity—quietly, without notice, not like the flashy froth on top.

The mighty dam appeared to be overflowing with water, but it was the work of the machines inside the dam that produced the power of the dam. Think about your own life. What is empowering your life? Is it your own outward works, or is it the work of the Holy Spirit deep within your life?

The Holy Spirit’s indwelling happens after a person is saved. But what else does the Spirit do? How does He help us? As the turbines empower the dam, so the Holy Spirit should be the power behind all we do. He is the catalyst for ministry.

If you’re like me, you’ve realized that you can’t do it on your own. From maintaining a daily walk with God, spending quality time in prayer, and soulwinning, to remaining faithful and resisting the devil, we all need God’s help! That is where the Holy Spirit can help us. He gives us the power to accomplish God’s will for our lives.

Notice Acts 1:8 again, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Christ wanted the disciples to evangelize the world for Him! Yet, they were merely men; how could they do this?

The Lord wasn’t sending His disciples out alone; He told them the Holy Spirit would be with them and empower them to accomplish the task He had given them. He didn’t expect them to do this on their own. He provided His power through the Holy Spirit to help them.

Do you realize that you can’t save someone on your own? You cannot draw someone to Christ through your methods, speech, or personality. Only God can convict the lost and bring them to repentance. Neither can you resist the devil by yourself. You may be able to quote Scripture and avoid certain circumstances, but you need the Holy Spirit’s power to keep you from falling into sin.

The Holy Spirit is your enabler; He indwells your life when you are saved so that you can accomplish God’s will for your life. But how often do you directly seek the Spirit’s power? How often have you taken time to ask for His power to remain faithful, avoid sin, or witness to someone? God only promises to work through submitted, Spirit-filled Christians. Take some time now to seek the Spirit’s power before you step foot outside your home today.

To learn more about Pastor Chappell's books, Sunday school curriculum, and spiritual leadership resources, please visit strivingtogether.com.

To learn more about Pastor Paul Chappell and his ministry, please visit paulchappell.com or follow him on twitter.  

Daily Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 28-29 • John 17