to comprehend its existence in our everyday lives. Spiritual revolution will come when we fully accept the fact the power of the Holy Sprit is in us and He desires to be revealed in every facet of our life.
The Power in Us Is Sufficient for Life’s Challenges
In Luke 10:19, Jesus said, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on ser- pents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” This prom- ise should be a relief to us. Jesus is not licensing us to handle snakes and scor- pions, but letting us know that anything we face can be overcome by the power He has given us.
We draw strength from examples given to us in the Bible. These men and women faced challenges in their every- day lives like many we face. They suf- fered in their bodies, they encountered financial setbacks, and they came under tremendous attack from their enemies, but the power of the Holy Spirit sus- tained them. Every challenge they faced was met head-on, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and every challenge was overcome.
We are encouraged by testimonies of believers all around us. Our churches are filled with saints who have been tested to their limit, but their continued presence with us proclaims the power of God! We must never buy into the devil’s lie that tells us our situation is different from those before and around us. The Word declares our Father knows us and is fully aware of our limitations. He sees every- thing we are going through and is active- ly involved in our life to see us through to victory. The same power made avail- able to believers centuries ago is available to us right now. This power is absolutely sufficient for us.
The Power Must Be Released
Growing up and spending a big part of my life in Oklahoma and Texas, I learned a little about the oil and gas industry. The energy issues in our nation are not because of a shortage. Throughout the Southwest, vast reservoirs of oil and natural gas exist, but they are not flowing for many different reasons. Three primary reasons for the lack of oil and gas being produced are these:
• It is very expensive to drill, pump, and refine the product.
• The industry is overregulated by government.
• The companies are waiting for demand to increase so prices will go up. Regarding the Holy Spirit, is there an energy crisis? Most believers accept the powerful works of the Holy Spirit in the past, but struggle with a contemporary understanding of His involvement in
their world today. For too many Pente- costals, the power of the Holy Spirit is a subject for study but not a part of their practical existence.
Why is this power not flowing in every believer’s life? Could it be that the cost is too much for some of us? This power only flows through a holy, surren- dered vessel. Sin and carnality are bitter enemies of a Spirit-filled life. It is only when sin is destroyed and Jesus is Lord that the full work of the Spirit can be manifested in a person. This price of holi- ness must be paid.
Another problem is what others might think and say about us. Full surrender to the Holy Spirit can bring criticism and misunderstanding. It is easy to be intimi- dated by this. But the individual who desires to experience the power of the Holy Sprit in their real world must come against the spirit of intimidation and be bold in their steps toward God. Could it be we are waiting on another time? We say we want the Holy Spirit to have full control of our life, but handing the reins over to Him is something we easily put off doing. Our flesh will always rebel at this transition, but now is the time to do it!
In John 7:37-38, Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (NKJV). John then added, “This He spoke concerning the Spirit” (v. 39 NKJV).
The desire of our Lord is to fill us and flow out of us. His Spirit was sent to this world not simply to prepare us for heaven but to empower our daily walk. Because of His presence we can expect His anointing even during the most difficult moments we face. We cannot be over- come when we allow the purpose of His power to work in us.
Les Higgins is administrative bishop of the Church of God in Arkansas.
EVANGEL • MAY 2010 15
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