We live in a world full of hurting people that know, somewhere deep inside, that there is a God. Because of the confusion in the world, I believe many are crying out and saying, “Will the real God, please stand!” More than ever, the world needs role models filled with the love of Christ and the power of God to help those in need! God loves every person you know or come into contact with, and he longs to show them how much he loves them and how he can heal them through you!

After Jesus had risen from the dead but not yet ascended to the Father, he did something very unique and powerful – he caused the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit.

John 20:22 And with that, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

This happened weeks before the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost. But, look at what else he told them during that same time period.

Luke 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

But did he not already give them the Holy Spirit? Yes, he did. How do I know? Because of the following two Scriptures.

1Cor 2:14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

Luke 24:45 Then, he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

All these Scriptures happened within the same time period – after Jesus had risen from the dead but before he ascended to the Father. According to 1 Corinthians 2:14, a person cannot understand the Scriptures unless they have the Holy Spirit. So when Jesus breathed on them and said receive the Holy Spirit in John 20:22, their minds were opened so that they could understand the Scriptures, Luke 24:45. But according to Jesus, the Holy Spirit in them was not enough; they needed the Holy Spirit on them. This is why he told them to wait in Jerusalem until they received power to be his witnesses.

Acts 1:8 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.

The disciples already had the Holy Spirit in them. Still, in obedience to the command of Jesus, they went into Jerusalem to the Upper Room and began to pray. They continued in constant prayer until the feast of Pentecost. Those days in prayer ushered in a move of God so powerful that it changed the course of history and continues to change people’s lives every day!

The world around us does not need more good ideas or another display of talent... they need the manifest presence of Almighty God displayed through you and me. You might ask, “So how can I be endued with love and power like that?” To help you understand how you can step into the power of God, consider this analogy. It doesn’t take a bunch of work to get a suntan; all you need to do is relax in the presence of the sun. So it is with the power of God! You are a sponge, and what you soak up is what will inevitably come through you.

Because it is your desire for the world to experience more of God through you, then intimacy with God in the secret place of faith and prayer is for you! I believe it’s time for a new tan… a SON tan! Don’t ever try to work it up – soak it up! As you head to your prayer closet today to enjoy your heavenly Daddy, please keep this in mind – Like the disciples, you will receive power when…

THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU