Power

He’s the same Spirit who came upon a boy named David and caused him to slay a lion, a bear, and a giant named Goliath (1 Sam. 17). He’s the same Spirit who gave Elijah the power to outrun the chariot of Ahab (1 Kings 18:46).

• He’s the same Spirit who gave the Apostle Paul the strength to preach after he had been stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19-28).

The Holy Spirit I have come to know is the One who turned ordinary people into spiritual giants. They subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness and obtained promises. They escaped the sword and turned the enemies of God to flight (Hebrews 11:33, 34).

The Holy Spirit empowered the Lord Jesus to walk into the Temple one day and throw countless people into the streets. That could not happen in human strength. Only the Holy Spirit can operate with such might (Matt. 21:12-17).

The same resurrection power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead “will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Rom. 8:11).

When you look for Him with expectation, He will come. The historic Welsh revival of 1904-05 was a direct result of Evan Roberts’ submission to the Spirit of the Lord. At the start of the great outpouring he preached, “Now do not say 'Perhaps the Spirit will come,’ or 'We hope the Spirit will come,” but 'We believe He will come.’ ” 2

Over 100,000 people came to the Lord in Wales, and the revival spread throughout the World. Author Eifion Evans, documents that “Convictions for drunkenness in Glamorgan fell from 10,528 in 1903 to 5,490 in 1906.” 3 Three months of revival had done more to sober the country than the temperance movement of many years.

Forever! The Hol Y S P irit promised by the Lord

Jesus was not only for today. He came to “abide with you forever” (John 14:16).

I believe the Second Coming of the Lord is on the horizon. The Bible says it will happen “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Cor. 15:52).

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:16, 17).

It won’t be long before we see the Lord, and He will welcome us into eternity. What a day that will be! And I know just like me, you too are looking for that glorious day, for we are not looking for the undertaker, we’re looking for the uppertdker.

On that great day there will be no more tears. No more pain and sorrow. We’re going to look into the face of the Master and hear Him say, “Welcome!”

Will the work of our Teacher and Guide end when we enter heaven? I don’t believe so. The Holy Spirit will be there. Forever. Billions of years from now we’ll still be filled with His presence. In eternity we will know even more. It will be a place of eternal revelation.

The Holy Spirit’s information superhighway is limitless. It stretches from here to heaven—and beyond. He has much more to give than we can fathom.

Have you ever wondered why the angels cry “Holy, Holy, Holy?” I believe it is because our triune God is continually revealing Himself in Heaven and with each new discovery, they cry, “Holy.” 4

IVIakc Him The cr y °f m y heart is that of the Apostle _. j - Paul. He desired “that the God of our Lord

e COme j esus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Eph. 1:17, 18).

Will you allow me to pray with you today?

Holy Spirit, we welcome You right now.

Come and magnify Jesus through every one of us and use us to declare Him to the world. May Your Word live in our hearts, enlightening our understanding and imparting Your truth. Enrich our prayer life with Your presence and power, and shine through us that people everywhere will be drawn to the cross of Calvary, and glorify Jesus Christ always in us and through us. In Jesus } name. Amen.

The Holy Spirit is standing at your door. Like any visitor, He will not enter unless He is invited.

Along with me, will you say?

Holy Spirit, you are welcome in this place.

Omnipotent Father, of mercy and grace,

You are welcome in this place.

Welcome, Holy Spirit!