Day 17 – Empowered by the Spirit

Empowered by the Spirit
Acts 1:8

Words are powerful. Each day, we have the opportunity to use our words to bring life and strength into every situation we encounter. Perhaps some of the most important words a person will ever speak in their lifetime are the last words they share before leaving this earth. When we consider Jesus’ final words before ascending into heaven, He speaks a promise that is an essential gift to every believer.

These words are recorded in Acts 1:8, “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.”

If we are going to make a significant impact on this world we must be empowered by the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament the word “power” is mentioned 121 times and continually connected to the Holy Spirit. It is the infilling of the Holy Spirit that brings greater power to our words and every area of our life.

The empowerment of the Holy Spirit results in ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things for the Lord. We see throughout the book of Acts that the disciples performed many miraculous signs and healings – all connected to the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through them. That same power continues to work in and through believers today!

The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:18, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” The Greek word used for “be filled” indicates an ongoing, regular filling. It’s not a one-time instance but a daily practice. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:4, “A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally…” and in verse 14, “For if I pray in tongues, my Spirit is praying but I don’t understand what I am saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the Spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand.”

Praying in the Spirit each day provides an empowerment to believers that is essential for spiritual strength and power. The reality is our words have an even greater effect when they are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Take time today to pray for more of the Spirit’s empowerment in your life and in your words that you might see even greater power and miracles take place through your prayers!