The Receiving of Power

"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:7-8

Just as the disciples, often times I find myself being more focused on the events in Revelation instead of the person of Revelation (i.e. Jesus Christ).

Has this ever happened to you?

When I was in high school I went through a phase of thinking that Jesus was coming very soon. Therefore, I didn't need to worry about key responsibilities such as getting a job, doing my very best on all of my assignments, planning for college, etc.

I know this is a bad way of thinking, but at the time I was so "certain" that Jesus was coming back any day now. The problem with how I was taking this was that I was being unfaithful in the tasks that God had placed under my supervision. I wasn't trusting Him by faithfully setting up for myself a better future. Instead, I was consumed with the present circumstances and had hoped that God would remove me from the trouble I was causing.

We do not know when the Son of man will return and still many of us not only continue to worry about this, but we also seem to even be asking the wrong questions. You see, when the disciples asked if Christ was about to restore the kingdom to Israel, it wasn't knowledge that He sought to give them, but it was power. It was His presence. They, like us, had it backwards.

I find that many times I am coming to the Lord for knowledge instead of His presence. From this verse, however, what is Christ more willing to give? Jesus gives to each one of us exactly what is needed, and that is Himself.

Even if we were to somehow obtain all knowledge, it would be in vanity if we were to never experience His presence. We would be acquiring a fools reward. Sure, we would know something on an intellectual level, but Jesus Christ is not a systematic theology book in which you can study. He is a person that you can know, and in His presence is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore!

Do you believe that?

Our job is not to worry when the events of Revelation will occur. We simply need to get moving. The Great Commission has not been fulfilled because Christ has not returned. Therefore, I urge you brethren, by the power of God, shine your light so that all may see.

You are plugged into the Most High God and He has given you power from heaven to be His witness wherever He has planted you. It is time to take your stand. The full power of God resides in the God in you. Don't waste it.

The Holy Spirit indwells us so that we may have power to do the impossible. What is this power? Well, in six days God created the universe... I would say that He is pretty powerful. This verse testifies to the fact that we have been empowered by God in order that we may accomplish His work in expanding the reach of the Gospel.

Yes, America is a mission field, but we cannot stay here. There are two-thousand unreached people groups that have never heard the Gospel message. Jerusalem, done. Judea, done. Samaria, done. America, done. Ends of the earth, not done.

Challenge: Prayerfully begin seeking opportunities to reach beyond the seas, whether by going and/or sending. Use the power of God. He gave it to you for a reason, and that is to change the world.

PRAYER

Father in heaven, all glory belongs to You.

We give You praise because we know You, however, there are many that haven't a clue.

We will experience life, while they will experience death.

God, if we don't do something now, then billions of people in our generation will never understand Your glorious grace.

They will never know that they had a Savior all along and they will never be capable of tasting the power that we as Your children have been granted.

Dad, take our lives and use us for Your glory.

Lord, set us on fire and make us to be as burning lamps in this world of darkness.

We know that there is a day coming when every tribe, tongue, and nation will be worshipping around the throne and we pray that we wouldn't miss out on this.

Teach us, O God, to exercise our full potential in Christ every single day and in every single way.

We love You, and our desire is that they would too.

Remove our comfort zones and ignite a fire in our bones.

Push us into action and move us on the forefront.

We are Your vessels.

Do with us as You please.

In the name of Christ we pray, amen.