SATURDAY September 24, 2022
Lacking Power?
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me [Jesus] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
Jesus declared that His followers would have power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Many believers today lack power. It is a big problem when the Holy Spirit is not effectively working in their lives.
A woman stopped me one day, a Catholic mother whose son came to our church. She asked me, “If my son is a born again Christian, why is he pushing me around, telling me he hates me, and threatening to kill me?” I let her know, “Just because he says he is born again does not mean he is a true Christian.” She replied, “He goes to your church every night!” I continued, “Still, many people go there, but it does not mean they have a real commitment to Jesus Christ––there should be a genuine change in their lives.”
There are parents who are having serious issues with their children. The Bible instructs children to obey their mother and father (Exodus 20:12). No matter a parent’s age, sons and daughters are to love, honor and respect their parents: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3).
It is interesting, because we can tell we are living in the Last Days when the Apostle Paul said that children will become haughty, unthankful and disobedient to their parents (2 Timothy 3:1-5). As a son or daughter, one of the poorest witnesses you can have to your neighbors, friends and parents, especially if they are unsaved, is negligence and disobedience.
If you cannot control your lips and actions, it is good to take a walk and let the Lord minister to you. I can speak from experience because I know what it is like to blow up in anger and say things in anger––that is my old, sinful nature. Christian parents and children, be good witnesses to others. Are you lacking power? Pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Train up a child in the way he should go – but be sure you go that way yourself. ~C.H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
