Empowered for a Purpose
Understand two things. First, that borrowed beliefs have no power. You must have a personal encounter with God or your life will have no impact. After they’d been filled with the Holy Spirit, we read, ‘The apostles testified powerfully… and God’s great blessing was upon them all.’ (Acts 4:33 NLT) Second, that unused power has no value. Isaiah writes, ‘The posts of the door were shaken… and the house was filled with smoke.’ (Isaiah 6:4 NKJV) What a mind-blowing experience to have in church! But Isaiah had to leave, go out and perform God’s purposes. ‘I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send?”…Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” And He said, “Go, and tell this people.”’ (Isaiah 6:8–9 NKJV) You must spend time in God’s presence building a relationship with Him, then carry His Word to those hurting around you. When Jesus took His disciples up the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter got so caught up in the experience that he wanted to stay there. ‘...Lord, it is good for us to be here...’ (Matthew 17:4 NIV) But Christ explained that His power is not for storing, but sharing. Paul wrote, ‘I will not… speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me...’ (Romans 15:18 NIV) Paul didn’t glory in what Christ had done for him, but through him. God has only one reason for filling you with His Spirit, and that’s to pour you out in service to others. Jesus said, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach… [and] heal the broken hearted...’ (Luke 4:18 NKJV) You have been empowered for a purpose!