One Thing Needful

Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…

In physics, the definition of power is the rate at which energy is transferred. In other words, the rate at which work can be done—the greater the exertion of power, the greater the accomplishment of work. Mathematically the equation looks like this: Power = Work/Time. This calculation is known as the “power rating.” The greater the exertion of power, the less time it takes to do a specific amount of work. Or, you could say the greater the power that is exerted, the more work can be accomplished in a given length of time. It really isn’t rocket science to figure out that the faster you can work, the more work you can do. (Or, the more time you have to play after work is finished!)

This principle of power is true in the spiritual world as well: The greater the exertion of power, the greater the accomplishment of work. But to be spiritually effective, we need to understand not only the source of our power, but how to effectively access the power that is at our disposal.

As He was leaving this earth, Jesus made this promise: You will receive power… Power is:
• the ability to make choices or influence outcomes
• the ability or capacity to perform or act effectively

Read the verse again with these definitions substituted for the word power:
• “But you will receive the ability to make choices and influence outcomes…”
• “But you will receive the ability and capacity to perform and act effectively …”

Now that’s power! And that power is tied directly to the presence of the Holy Spirit in a life…when the Holy Spirit comes on you…the Scripture says. Christ has given the Spirit without measure to all born-again believers. (John 3:34) This means that as a believer, you have the Spirit of the Almighty God living inside your body. The Spirit is the One who gives us the ability to be conformed to the image of Christ. As we yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, He directs our lives—our thoughts, our words, our actions. Remember the power rating equation, P=W/T? The amount of power we have as a believer will never be greater than the time it takes us to let Him accomplish His work in our lives. The quicker we yield to Him (by listening for His voice and doing what He says), the more He fills us, and the more His power is revealed… power in prayer…power to accomplish extraordinary things…power to collectively do greater works than Jesus did on earth. To quote an old hymn, “All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down.”

THINK ABOUT IT: What is your contribution to the group’s spiritual power rating? What is the one thing you can you do this week that will contribute to the group’s ability and capacity to perform and act effectively to influence the spiritual outcome of the trip?

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