“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

We have all read about and seen evidence on the news media of individuals who overcame insurmountable odds and received incredible strength to help in desperate situations; out of nowhere they miraculously receive the strength to act…where did they get the strength?  The Bible gives us the answer my friends… and on the day of Pentecost, the promise and power of the Holy Ghost came into this world; Acts 1:8 states “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

The bible gives us numerous accounts of people empowered by the Holy Ghost to perform or speak courageously beyond their own ability:

• In the book of Judges chapter fourteen we read of Samson’s encounter with a young lion that roared against him, “And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.” Judges 14:6.
• Likewise, in Acts chapter four we read how Peter spoke boldly before the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees after healing the paralyzed man at Bethesda. “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. Acts 4:7-10.
• And let us call to witness the account of the young shepherd boy named David who slayed a giant named Goliath: in 1 Samuel chapter 17 we see how the Spirit of the God gives David triump over the giant: v. 45 “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied; and in verse 50 gives account of the victory! “So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.”  I ask you, what is that you need the strength to do-you can depend on God!

There is absolutely nothing impossible with God. All born-again believers are endowed with the power of the Holy Ghost. God often uses our weaknesses as an opportunity to manifest His glory in and through us, it is undeniable to all who witness when we overcome insurmountable odds, that we have acted, achieved, or spoken from a source of power that is far greater than our own, it is from the power of Almighty God! Philippians 4:13 reminds us “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

What are you facing today that seems impossible- physical weakness, numerous medical procedures, or even the fear of speaking the truth in hostile environments as the old saints we mentioned encountered? The source of our strength still comes from the same Lord of lord and King of kings…Jesus the Christ! He will always provide the strength and courage for us to stand when we face extraordinary challenges… He has given us the Holy Spirit that enables us to walk this journey of life victorious every single day.

Let us faithfully pray one for the other as the apostle Paul prayed for the saints in Ephesus to receive strength and empowerment from the Holy Spirit, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” Ephesians 3:14-16.

Praise God we face nothing in this life alone, but are empowered by the Holy Spirit “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6.

God blessings of strength, courage and overwhelming peace be with us all.