Conference yukon::christian_v7

60.0. "Powered-out or powered-up?" by TOKNOW::METCALFE (Eschew Obfuscatory Monikers) Sun Mar 14 1993 13:30

    I attended Andy K's small church (plant) this morning and came away
    well fed by the Pastor.  One of the thoughts impressed upon me by the
    Holy Spirit through the preached word was a couple of illustrations
    about perfectly good and functional things without power.
    
    One illustration was a laptop PC, which ran out of battery power
    and could not longer function.  Nothing was broken on it, and its
    capabilities were as powerful as ever, but if no power enabled the
    laptop, it could not be useful.
    
    The second illustration was sending soldiers into combat without
    supplies or preparation.  Imagine dropping the troops into desert storm
    and wondering if one should have brought their gun, or food provisions,
    or water.  How long would a soldier last?  (Good thing they go through
    survival training; but even this would be a defensive measure and not
    doing battle with the enemy.)
    
    How often have we, as Christians, been satisfied with knowing that we've
    been saved through the blood of Christ and feel that this is sufficient
    to meet any trial that comes our way?  Jesus spoke to all of us about
    the parable of the soils.  The seed was scattered, and in each case
    the seed germinated (except where the bird ate it first) and brought
    forth fruit (or vegetation).  But only a fourth of the seed was able to 
    withstand troubles because it was planted in fertile soils and sent
    their roots deep, so that they would not be withered by the sun, choked
    by stronger weeds, or whatever.
    
    Being saved is important, and YOU CAN KNOW IT by God's Word and His
    promise, backed up by His authority.  Once saved, then what?
    
    How prepared are we to face the trials that WILL come our way, whether
    we're a Christian or not (it rains on us all)?
    
    The Pastor preached about the time after Jesus' resurrection when he
    told his disciples to go and wait until the Holy Spirit showed up and
    He will "endue them with power."
    
    Power is something for the Christian life, folks.  Not some stupid
    cartoon super-hero or occult power; but the power of the Holy Spirit.
    Without the Holy Spirit in your life you may be a perfectly good laptop
    computer, or other such tool.
    
    And like food that we consume daily, we must also decide to "put on"
    the power of God.  How?  Luke 11:13 says that our Father in heaven will
    give the Holy Spirit *to them that ask*.  It is a gift from the Father;
    read it.
    
    We need to prepare our hearts daily and be (being coninually) filled
    with the Holy Spirit so that we can be servants that are useful and
    suitable for use by an Almighty and Holy God.