NO POWER

After conducting chapel services Monday morning, I decided to run all my errands on the way home so that I could enjoy the rest of a gorgeous day. I had to make one last stop at the credit union then the day would be all mine. I determined that it would take less time at the drive-thru especially since there was no one else waiting. Everything was falling into place. I pulled up to one of the outside “windows” only to find a hand written sign declaring “CLOSED, NO POWER.” In my haste to complete my tasks, I had failed to notice an empty parking lot and a dark building. Determined not to let this set back take one more minute of my time, I sped home. Then God began to speak.

Our credit union is a brand new beautiful building. Millions of dollars has been spent on the structure, furnishings, latest banking equipment, and landscaping. As you walk into the lobby, a smiling receptionist at a central desk greets you. If you turn to the right, you will find a flat screen television broadcasting today’s news, a conversation area complete with magazines, brochures, coffee and in the afternoon, fresh popcorn. To the left is a row of monitors complete with tubes that whisk away your transactions to a hidden room complete with more smiling faces. They have infused an impersonal business atmosphere with an aura of friendliness and comfort. On Monday, however, the beauty and the efficiency was all a waste because there was no power. The bank could not function as it was meant to function. I could not take anything out or put anything in my account. No loans could be arranged, no accounts opened or closed and no interest added to investments. The only light in the dim lobby was sunlight filtering through the shaded windows. It was nothing more than a dark, empty shell.

We were created for a specific purpose. God has made His power available to us so that we can function according to His plan. John 1:12 tells us, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. The very first step we make in our spiritual journey requires power. It is only through belief in the Name of Jesus Christ that we have the ability to become sons of God. As God continues the construction, Acts 1:8 says “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.” We are called to be witnesses, but we cannot be a witness to something we do not possess. It doesn’t end there, He fills us with joy, hope and peace through the power of the Holy Ghost, Romans 15:13, Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Fear is replaced with love and a sound mind, II Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. According to Luke 10:19 we have power over the enemy, Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. One of the most exciting Power Promises that God gives us is contained in Ephesians 3:20, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

I may look beautiful and holy on the outside, know the right words to say, sing the latest praise and worship songs, quote scriptures and smile invitingly but, I am a dark empty shell without the power of the Holy Ghost. Like the bank, I can take nothing in and I am unable to give out anything. Make sure you are connected to the power source. Let Him fill you with love, joy and peace. People will be drawn to the Light that shines forth and you will fulfill the purpose He created you to fulfill.