There is a story of man who was clearing the trees off of several acres of land. He was working hard chopping down trees with an axe. Despite his hard work, he could only remove a few trees each day. But one day he found out about power chain saws. A salesman told him with a power chainsaw he could cut down 50 more trees than he could with an axe.
The man was sold. He purchased the chainsaw and wen home to try it out. The next day he came back to the store where he purchased the power saw and put it on the counter. “I want my money back. This thing is a piece of junk” he said.
“What do you mean?” the salesman asked. I couldn’t even cut down one tree with this thing the man, the man said.
The salesman, looking puzzled, picked up the saw, pulled the chord and the saw roared to life. The guy who purchased the saw looked surprised and said, “What is that noise?”
He had purchased the saw and had taken it home without understanding what he had.
When I read this story it reminded me of how people misunderstand the purpose of the Holy Spirit.
As we read scripture, we see that God has given us the Holy Spirit for many reasons. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. He guides us to truth. He comforts us. He enables us to live a Godly life.
As Christians we deeply appreciate the blessings of the Holy Spirit. But there is more the Spirit wants to do, and it’s here that some believers are confused.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus told his disciples, “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.”
These 12 followers of Jesus would need a power greater than their own to fulfill God’s mission and purpose for their lives.
I believe the same is true for you and me. What God has called us to do is greater than our strength, intellect, creativity, wisdom, and power. We need God’s power in our lives.
Further more, God has promised to give us the Holy Spirit.
Luke 11:11-13 - “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
After Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, the followers of Jesus met together in the upper room in Jerusalem. It was here that 120 believers waiting on God for the promise of the Holy Spirit. It was here that God baptized them and filled them with His Spirit.
Can I tell you something very important? God wants to fill you with His Spirit too. He has a task for you. You have a calling. There is a designated purpose and mission for your life, but you can’t do it in your own power and strength. It will require God’s Spirit.
Like the man cutting down trees, we need power. A chainsaw is a terrible tool for cutting down trees, unless it has power. You and I will be ineffective in fulling God’s purpose unless we have his power in our lives.
I have often thought about the experience of the 120 in the upper room. This group of believers waited for ten days before being filled with the Holy Spirit. We can imagine they prayed together, worshipped together, and tarried before God in expectation of what He would do.
In our fast paced world, it’s seems difficult for us to find time to wait upon God in prayer. But what would happen if we did? Imagine being filled with the Spirit of God and being used for God’s purpose.
Today’s Challenge: I believe there are many of you listening today who long for a greater experience with God. You desire to be used by God in greater ways. You hunger to be full of his presence and power. Let me encourage you to make time to pray and seek to be full of the Holy Spirit. I believe He will fill you with his power.
