Last week I wrote about looking like Jesus. That can seem like a impassable chasm, at least it does to me at times. I see all the ways I don’t look like Him in my attitude or my first response to something or how I can be critical about a person or situation. How about you? Do you see the ways you don’t resemble Jesus in your life? I can totally agree with Paul when he says in Romans 7:15:

“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (NLT)

I appreciate Paul being honest with his struggle with sin. It brings me hope to know I am not an anomaly. Paul continues to talk about the war inside of himself when he asks and answers this question:

“Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated
by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” Romans 7:24&25 (NLT)

That’s the hope we have for a way to overcome the sin in our life! It’s because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit!

The answer is in Acts 1:8 " But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”
That word power is Dunamis which means miraculous power, might, strength, ability. We get our word dynamite from it.
It’s the power through God’s ability in every area of life to grow in sanctification. Which is a churchy word that means being made holy, to be purified and freed from sin.

I think a great example of being empowered by the Holy Spirit is Peter in Acts 2:14:
”Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd…”

This is the same Peter I wrote about last week that denied even knowing Jesus THREE times! This same Peter who ran away after declaring he was ready to die with Jesus (John 13:37). This newly empowered Peter stood and with a loud voice declared who Jesus and what He did.

The power of the Holy Spirit empowers us to change.

It is the same word, Dunamis, found in Ephesians 1:19-20:

“ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness
of God’s power for us who believe Him.
This is the same power that raised Christ from the dead
and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in heavenly realms.”

It is this wonderful gift of God’s power that transforms our lives. It empowers us to do things we thought we could never do. Just 7 weeks earlier at Passover, Peter denied knowing Jesus and now he is shouting loud and proud the name of Jesus. Come on, God!

He doesn’t leave us to just behavior modification, where we can do anything for a little while. We are not left to “pick ourselves up by our bootstraps” and make the best of it.

We are sanctified … made clean … purified … freed from the things we struggle with.
Remember Paul and our opening Scripture? The Disciples and Apostles, in the early days of the church, struggled as we do. They knew who they were and how they fell short of the image of Jesus. The hope. The only hope for true transformation is being empowered by the Holy Spirit!

So, I will ask you “Do You Have It?”
If not, may I suggest taking a moment to ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to come fill you.
You’ll never be the same! :)

Let me end with this prayer Paul prayed for the Ephesians:

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the
confident hope He has given to those He called - His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance.” (1:18 NLT)

You are His called and holy people.
You are His inheritance.
You are loved.
You are forgiven.
You are seen.
You are known.
You are not destined to stay the same.

May we receive it, believe it and act accordingly.

Have an amazing day!
All My Love ~
Jodi xo

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