It was a bright sunny day. The temperature was a little hot, but the occasional breeze made it perfect. The person to benefit from this perfect day was a young man, around 30 years old, sent by his father on a journey. The man walked at a brisk pace, however, not so fast as to tire himself out before he reached his destination. He knew what his father asked him to do, but he didn’t exactly know all the details. The only thing his father told him was to meet a man down by the banks of the river. His father told him what general area the man would be in, but not a specific location. Since the river stretched for many miles, the young man knew that the journey could take a day or a week. But one thing was clear, the man trusted his father without question, and he knew that his father would not lead him wrong.
It took several hours crossing the rugged and hilly terrain before the young man reached the banks of the river. However, that was the easy part, the next part was a little more difficult. Does he head north or south? Sure, it’s only a 50 percent chance either way, but going miles in the wrong direction would add days to his trip. Asking for directions would be a great idea, but unfortunately, he’s in an undeveloped area where there are no signs or people around. So, he decided to head south.
Although the journey was tough, and it took him past some undesirable areas, the young man finally reached the man he was supposed to meet after three days. Even though the young man was a far distance away, he knew he found the man he was supposed to meet. One, he followed his voice that echoed off the hills surrounding him. Second, he saw in a distance a large crowd flocking to see the man on the riverbank.
The man he was to meet was a preacher that was very well known in the land. He was loud, bold, and the preacher loved GOD. As the young man approached the crowd, the preacher was able to catch a glimpse of him. The preacher suddenly all but ignored the crowd and directed his attention to the young man. Then he waved the young man forward. The crowd of people parted to the left and right like Moses parting the Red sea.
As he approached the river bank the young man was finally able to see the preacher. He was waist-deep in the brown river water. There was a line of people who had been waiting for hours to interact with the preacher, but when they saw the young man, they stepped aside as well. So, the young man stepped into the water and walked toward the preacher. The two had a long embrace like old friends that hadn’t seen one another in a very long time. There was a good reason for the long embrace, the preacher and the young man were cousins that haven’t seen one another in many years.
The slightly older preacher took his cousin and dunked him in the dark brown water. The water was so dark that although his submerged cousin was only a foot beneath the water’s surface, he could barely see his face.
As the young man resurfaced from the water, he looked to the sky. Just then he saw the clouds part, and a little object descended from the sky. As the object descended further and further, the man realized that the object was falling toward him. As the object got closer to the earth, it slowed, and like a bird, landed on the top of the head of the young man. Then, the young man received the gift that was promised by his father, The Holy Spirit.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38 KJV).
Yes, the young man that was sent by his father was Jesus, and the preacher was John the Baptist. After receiving the Holy Spirit, Jesus began his ministry and changed the world. Jesus did not do all the miracles thru his own power. He used the power of the Holy Spirit to perform miracles. For around three years, Jesus taught his disciples how to walk by faith and how to hear from GOD. But when Jesus died, he gave the same gift to his disciples (followers), that his Father (GOD), gave to him, The Holy Spirit.
When the disciples received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, they went out and demonstrated that power. Remember when Peter and John were on their way to the Temple, and they saw a lame man asking for money? The man was born lame. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6 KJV). They took the man by the hand, and he leaped to his feet instantly healed. Peter, John, and the man entered the temple together praising GOD.
There was also a time Paul preached for many hours into the night, and there was a man who sat in an upper window. The young man fell into a deep sleep and fell out the window to the ground dead. Paul went down, embraced the young man, and raise him from the dead. (Acts 20:8-9 KJV).
Jesus’ disciples thru the power of the Holy Spirit did many great miracles. However, when most people think of Jesus disciples, they only think of the 12 that was with him, not the believers after his death. Those believer’s performed miracles as well.
So, let fast-forward too today.
I heard many-times when I was younger that many of the “Gifts of the Spirit” passed away with the last Apostles. When I heard that said, many-times the context they were referring to was speaking in tongues. So, some Christians believe in speaking in tongues, some do not, and others don’t know what to believe. And instead of fighting the enemy, they will stay in strife one with another.
The question I have is where is the power of GOD in church?
The Bible says that in the last days there will be “a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.” (2 Timothy 3:5 KJV). Then, the scripture says to turn away from that. GOD is the same today, as HE was in the past. If he meant the early church to have power, and to perform great miracles, then the same applies today.
Many of us read in the Bible how in the last days it would be like it was in the days of Noah. Where men would be wicked, selfish, and evil. Unlike then, Noah was the only person that followed after GOD. Now there are many who follow after GOD.
In the time of Jesus and the early church, there were the lame, the sick, the blind, the ungodly, and the demon-possessed. We know this because Jesus and his disciples ministered and delivered them. If there were people that needed deliverance back then, then people need deliverance now.
Jesus said the traditions of men make the word of GOD of no effect. It’s time that we do not pay so much attention to traditions. We need to pay more attention on listening and hearing from GOD. The time has come that we need all that are called by the name of GOD to fulfill the call HE has for our lives. That means we must receive all that GOD has for us. GOD promised when we believe on Jesus, that HE would send us the gift of Holy Spirit and power. Power doesn’t do its job if you’re not accessing it.
In many of our houses there is power, but until you plug-in or turn on the light switch, the power doesn’t work. We must use the power of the Holy Spirit. He is our help. When we access His power, He will help turn on the power to light up this world.
If you have received Jesus as your Lord and savior and have not asked GOD for the Holy Spirit, say this prayer with me.
Say, “Dear heavenly Father GOD. I come to you in the name of your Son Jesus. Jesus promised that YOU would send the Holy Spirit to those that believe. I believe. Please send me the Holy Spirit and power. Thank you, GOD. I receive your gift. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Now, Christian, you are equipped with power to carry out the journey that GOD has for you. Go and carry out your assignment, in Jesus’ name.
G. Edward Wyche