By His Power

“‘Not my might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’”

says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6(NIV)


What does it take to survive in difficult times? The world says a person has to be physically strong; it also leads us to believe that we need to be rich-at least well-heeled. When I was in junior high school, we read about how people reacted to the crash of the stock market in 1929. That scene came to my mind on September 11, 2001. In 1929 the people seemed to not have any hope. In 2001, the people were trying to reach safety.

God tells us that we can accomplish things of lasting value only when we have His Spirit. What can we do to receive it? We can ask for Him to send His Spirit to us.

Once we receive God’s Holy Spirit, He becomes boss over our lives. At the bottom of the church bulletins in our yoked ministry churches, the following sentence is printed: “This service is subject to change by direction of the Holy Spirit.” We have seen this happen several times.

I once heard a pastor’s wife ask us what our world would look like if we listened to and obeyed the Holy Spirit in our daily living. Would any of us be able to commit to something so bold? One of the classic Christian books of all times, “In His Steps, What Would Jesus Do” by Charles M. Sheldon, deals with this issue of allowing Jesus and the Holy Spirit rule our lives.

Can you remember a time when you didn’t listen to or obey God’s Holy Spirit? I know I can. All we can do when we realize what we have done is to prayerfully ask for forgiveness and He will.


Dear Lord:

Please help us to sort out our lives and live for You with the help of the Holy Spirit. Help us to remain true to Your teachings and model our beliefs and Your ways before others. We will give You the praise. In the name of Jesus I pray. AMEN