“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The Holy Spirit is Power, and in order to receive and utilize His Holy presence fully it MUST be for all the right reasons with a heart of faith. And, most important, it isn’t US that has the power, but GOD who is releasing His power in us, it’s through His glorious name that things happen.

In Acts, when  Simon saw what was happening through the laying on of the spostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money. Stating, “give me the power also, that anyone on who I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:19) He thought that this gift from God could be bought with money.  He lost all sight of the reasons, the true meaning, the fullness in which His love means to express.  Peter quickly explained, most probably in gentle yet admonishing tones, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of GOD could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter for your heart is not right in sight of God.” Acts 8:20-21.

There are dozens of “Pastors” on late night television who for a “modest donation” promise healing and prosperity in the name of Jesus…I see it ALL the time. Just last night, one of these “show me the money” preachers was screaming into the television “Come on there is a healing for you and a blessing for you in the Spirit’s name, just send your contribution and it will happen, the Lord will pour out His blessings upon you.”  These preachers are capitalizing on people’s frailties and vulnerability as they seek “funds to release that power!”

The early church capitalized on “Merchandising” confusing the power of God with money.  1 Timothy states, “money is the root of all evil“ a passage that is totally misinterpreted so many times over. Money is not the root of all evil, but rather… LOVE of money is.  God wants his people to be blessed in all things, including being free of monetary debts. But, not to be IN LOVE with money.

As Jesus so clearly stated in Matthew 6:24 , “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and Love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. ”  Serve GOD and all the rest will fall into place, LOVE God essentially is what this is saying.  God must be first in your life, not money. All else is secondary.

Power in our life, the right kind of power God’s Spirit.  I want God’s power to be a witness for God. The Living Water…the real power.  The enemy comes around in many forms to masquerade,thereby fooling people into believing that his power is the right one, when of course it’s fake.  The enemy has a “certain amount of power in the world” and  uses subtle ways to entrap and get God’s children confused.  You know  lack of knowledge is trouble…When we aren’t equipped or aware of things, the enemy can slip in readily.

Sometimes, he is so subtle that people may think it’s harmless and get sucked in. Sometimes it can be something cute, and people haven’t any clue that its the enemy. So always be aware…for remember the roaring lion is wandering around seeking to devour you.  But, with God’s word you are more than equipped.  With His Holy Spirit you are able to take down any LION. Signs and wonders. The enemy loves to lie and deceive, and he’ll bring about many things, in various ways to fool and destroy. But, with GOD on our side, and HIS word, we are protected.

So the power of the Holy Spirit has been recorded throughout the New Testament, and Jesus said He’d never leave us…that He’s with us always even until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) How glorious is that? Praise God.

Peter went on to tell Simon, in Acts 8:22-25 “Repent therefore of this your wickedness and pray God is perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me. So wen they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”

God calls us to be His ambassadors in this world. We’re to introduce those who don’t know Jesus to His amazing love and grace of God available to them in Christ. We become truly effective and viable witnesses only through the power of the Spirit. And that is something that cannot be bought…that my brothers and sisters is priceless!

 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…”

(Matthew 28:18-19) 

 Outside picture courtesy of Scott Birge…as always, “thanks Scott.”

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