An Intentional Faith by Allen JacksonSample

Peter, James, John, and the rest of the crew had spent three years with Jesus. They had front-row seats for some of the most remarkable experiences any person could ever witnessed. They attended water-walking classes, picked up basketfuls of bread from a divinely orchestrated meal of fish and chips, and even sampled a merlot that began as water in a well. Yet Jesus told them they were not ready for the next steps. They needed the assistance of the Holy Spirit, who would empower them to fulfill their life assignments. If the disciples needed the empowering help of the Holy Spirit to complete their life purpose, it seems reasonable that you and I might need to welcome him into our lives as well.

The great barriers to becoming what God created us to be are not physical or financial. The circumstances of our birth, the country that issues our passports, or the name of the school on our diploma are not the great determining factors of our lives. God’s power is sufficient to enable us to overcome every limitations that might emerge, even if it is from a destructive expression of evil. But to obtain this freedom, we need the power of God to help us. The Holy Spirit is the delivery person; he is present on the earth to empower us (Jesus’ words, not mine).

Our task is not to outthink evil or outwork evil or even out-plan evil. The only thing evil will yield to is a power greater than itself. For that victory, we are dependent on the Holy Spirit. What a wonderful promise from Jesus that in his physical absence, he will send the Holy Spirit to empower us to triumphant living! Wherever evil or hate has impacted your life, know for certain that the Spirit of God is present and willing to help you overcome it—and to write an entirely new future for you.